A second hand quote from a call center operative is not official policy.
That's half the problem with a lot of the "uproar" about the water charges - people hear things and see things in papers or on facebook and believe them to be true.
ANyway - that quote could be justas easily referring to the tenant "dodging the bill" by not registering in the first place.
Basically if nobody declares themselves as occupants and Irish Water know who the owner is what else can they do except go after the owner for water charges?
I totally disagree that they can come after me as non occupier until I see a legal basis for this. So far I've been only able to clarify this,
non occupiers are not liable.
In addition I telephoned the call center and spoke to one person and later the supervisor as I was getting nowhere. Both told me I was the liable person if the tenant did not register. When I asked on what basis, they actually told me to go to
www.irishstatutebook.ie to look up the legislation. I asked them which legislation, and what clause on what page. 'We are not legally qualified to answer that' is what I got.
I asked whose idea was it to direct people to the legislation, 'that's what we learnt at the training'. I nearly hit the roof at that.
Finally via the supervisor's advice I have taken this further and when I have my correct answer I will get back on here.
In addition to that, I
have it in writing from them, and not just from one person
- if the tenants don't fill out the form that I am liable -
- that as landlord I am the legal owner, if the tenants don't register, then I am liable -
I've slightly changed the wording there, so as not to be identifiable and I'm not the only one working on this, but so far they are unable to prove to me that I am liable. As I said Joe Duffy's team are working on it, and so are the IPOA.
What I do however believe is that,
IF I fill out the form, I'm somehow making myself liable. I've no intention of doing this.