Following DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie's announcement that her department is involved in a drive to fill vacant homes in the Province, Finance Minister Peter Robinson has requested public consultation on a new rate policy for empty homes.

The Executive team, including Mr Robinson's department, will welcome views on the potential policy, with the hope of gauging possible financial and social implications of the introduction.

Mr Robinson announced the publication of a consultation paper, yesterday, seeking views on the introduction of the rating of empty homes at 100% liability.

The First Minister in-waiting said there is a definite need for new measures to be put in place as soon as possible.

Mr Robinson said: "A fundamental aim is to encourage people to bring empty properties back into use. For too long many buildings have sat empty through choice."

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The Minister said this has an "undesirable social and economic impact" which is "blighting local areas, discouraging wider investment", as well as "affecting community cohesion".

By rating empty homes, Mr Robinson said: "We can help to halt physical decline in built up areas".

"I want to encourage people to bring properties back onto the market or make better use of them either through redevelopment or by attracting new tenants. This should measurably improve the supply of available housing, while also securing additional resources to fund key public services, and will undoubtedly benefit all households in Northern Ireland," said the Minister.

"The views that I am seeking should focus on the detail of the policy and how it would work in practice. This includes the application of any exclusions or initial exemption periods, the treatment of new property and possible measures designed to tackle rates avoidance. I want to ensure that local people and key stakeholders play a key part in shaping this policy."

The consultation, which will last for 12 weeks, will look at possible exclusions, a system of phasing the policy, and whether an initial exemption period should be provided for as well as the interaction with other rating reliefs and allowances.

The results of a consultation paper will provide a basis for the Executives decision on moving the policy.

The Minister hopes that a positive outcome would ensure the policy was in place by April 2010, after an Assembly debate next year.

See: 10% Of Vacant NI Homes Could Be Filled Overnight, Says Minister

(PR/JM)