Derelict Sites
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 defines a derelict site as any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of:
- Structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition, or
- The neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or of structures on it, or
- The presence, deposit or collection of litter, rubbish, debris or waste except where the presence, deposit or collection of such litter, rubbish, debris or waste results from the exercise of a right conferred by statute or by common law.
You are required by law to make sure your property does not become derelict, or you may become liable for prosecution by your local authority. The Derelict Sites Act 1990 enables local authorities to prosecute owners who do not act in accordance with official notices served on them. Additionally, it allows for local authorities to enter the site and carry out any necessary works themselves and impose the cost of those works upon the owner of the site.
Report a Derelict Site
To report a derelict site, please click HERE to complete a Derelict Site Reporting form.
When a Derelict Site Report form is received, Fingal County Council will arrange for the site to be inspected to determine the condition and any actions which the site owner may be required to carry out. Fingal County Council will advise you through a series of statutory notices on what action is needed on your site and/or if your property is being added to the Derelict Sites Register. In some cases sites may be compulsory purchased or acquired though agreement.
Under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990 it is an offence to:
- Remove, damage or deface a notice posted by the local authority regarding a derelict site.
- Fail to carry out the measures required by the local authority to prevent a property from being classed as derelict within an allotted time.
- Fail to notify the local authority of the transfer of land or interest in land (other than by will or on an intestacy) from one person to another. Both parties must notify the local authority in writing within four weeks of the transfer.
- Fail to notify the local authority of the transfer of land or interest in land by will or on an intestacy. The new owner must notify the local authority in writing within six months and the representative of the person under whose will or upon whose intestacy the transfer occurred must notify the local authority in writing within two months.
- Prevent an authorised person from entering or carrying out authorised business on the derelict site. The owner can make statutory submissions or responses regarding the notices they receive.
Derelict Sites Register
The Council maintains a Derelict Sites Register in accordance with the Derelict Sites Act 1990. The complete Register is available to view HERE.
The information entered on the full Register is as prescribed in S.(8) of the Act and includes the name and address of each derelict site owner & occupier, actions taken by the Council and the market value of the site.
You can contact us by email at [email protected]
What happens if your site is added to the Derelict Sites Register
Sites entered on the Register are subject to an annual derelict site levy of 7% of the market value of the site in the first year and up to 10% of the market value in any subsequent years. This levy will continue to apply until the site is rendered non-derelict.
Unpaid levies incur interest of 1.25% per month. Outstanding levies automatically become a charge on the land and will remain a charge until the levy amount is paid in full. The Council registers charges in Land Registry / The Registry of Deeds so if and when a derelict site with a charge registered on it is subject to a sale, purchasers will require vendors to have the charge removed as part of the conveyance process.
Any sites entered on the Derelict Sites Register may also be considered for acquisition, either compulsorily or by agreement, by the Council.