Madam, – Would the fairest means of levying a property tax be on a “square metres” basis (Front page, June 9th)? This brings the benefit of proportionality as it will be directly related to the size of a premises and as such is more equitable than on a “valuation” basis which penalises owners of smaller properties that happen to be located in areas of greater demand.
A tax that is larger on a two-bed maisonette in Dublin than on a substantial country house in an outlying area is surely not a worthwhile one. There is the added advantage of a greener approach as the greater the house’s footprint, the higher the charge. It also removes the need for a cumbersome formula to calculate house values. If we are to have yet more tax, is this not the way to go? – Yours, etc,