One of NI's largest councils is eyeing up well over £1m in additional income by targeting empty houses.

Derry City Council believes that it could raise £1.5m a year by imposing 100% rates on empty houses.

With the double benefit of encouraging owners of empty properties to turn them over for occupation, the move follows a Department of Finance and Personnel consultation with councils across Northern Ireland about a proposal introduced by the former NI Finance Minister, Peter Robinson, outlining details of his review of domestic rates with included an announcement of a new a 'tax' on both derelict land and empty houses.

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The Maiden City currently has more than 2,500 vacant properties in its council area, with a spokesperson from Derry City Council noting that they were currently preparing a response to the review of domestic rating public consultation.

Details of the far-reaching review of the Northern Ireland rating system were initially announced in November last year.

Mr Robinson - who is now NI First Minister - said that he planned to rate empty homes at 100% to encourage their use - as a potential boost for those seeking homes - possibly by 2009, and that he expected a derelict land tax affecting mainly old industrial areas around Belfast by 2010.

See: Empty House 'Tax' Should Boost Housing Market

(BMcC)