Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 section 653AM

Where no owner registered

Section 653AM provides for the transfer of a site to State ownership where no person has registered as the owner of land subject to residential zoned land tax and the unpaid tax and interest charged on the land exceeds 110 per cent of the site's market value.

• Where no owner has registered in respect of a site liable to RZLT and the unpaid tax and interest (which has become a charge on the land) exceeds 110% of the site's market value, Revenue may publish a notice in Iris Oifigiúil as the first step towards the site becoming State property.
• The notice must include the site's address, folio number (if available), the relevant local authority, and a statement that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may apply to the High Court after six months for an order transferring the site to the State.
• The High Court may order that the site becomes State property from the date of the order, provided it is satisfied that the site is a relevant site, no owner has registered, and the charged tax and interest exceeds 110% of market value; this order is conclusive evidence binding on all persons, subject to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
• Once the order is made, the site vests in the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and is registered in the Minister's name under the Registration of Title Act 1964.