Dublin's Quest to Banish Vacant Lots

The Irish government is considering a new strategy to deal with vacant and derelict properties in its cities - a vacant lot levy.

There are a lot of these properties, particularly in Dublin, and as property prices rise (though not to pre-recession levels), the government is looking for a way to incentivize property owners to unload their unused spaces.

Currently the Irish government taxes derelict, but not vacant properties, a situation that has led to the demolishing of buildings to avoid the tax, creating more vacant lots, but not necessarily spurring much development. This new strategy is intended to put a little more pressure on property owners.

It's an interesting strategy for a government trying to force infill development in a city with vacancy rates dropping while many lots sit empty...