2012 sees the introduction of the household charge.

You can register and pay online on the household charge site - the process takes about five minutes.   However, not all properties are liable to the charge, so it is worth checking to see if you qualify for an exemption.   If your property is in a Category 3 or 4 unfinished estate - a full list of such estates, by county, is on the HouseholdCharge.ie website - or if you qualify for mortgage interest supplement (not to be confused with mortgage interest relief), then you can claim a waiver.   You will still have to register your property on the above site though.   The deadline for payment is 31 March, after which, interest and penalties can apply.

Local category 3 and 4 unfinished estates include -

• The Croft, Park Na Silla, Loughlinstown
• Trimblestown 2, Goatstown Road, Goatstown
• Vantage East, Central Park, Leopardstown
• Wyckham Point, Wyckham Way, Dundrum