Pyrite and claiming an exemption from LPT

Hi

We have confirmed pyrite in our property and are covered by Premier. Have to go through the claim process but hope to get it remdiated in the new year.
I know Pyrite affected homes can claim an exemption from LPT (we paid it for 2013 as the pyrite issue has only recently arisen) but because we are covered by Premier (great!) their procedures are slightly different and the engineer does up documents to satisfy their procedures he does not do a certificate that conforms to the ISO standard (can't remember the actual title of the document) which is required to be submitted to claim the exemption to the LPT and if we want such a certificate he will charge €700 for. This fee will be close enough to negating the amount saved on the exemption for the next 3 years so is pointless. Can we claim the exemption with any other documents.. Like we will have documentary evidence of the core testing and the structural report that complies with Premier's protocols. Could we just submit that to the LPT section to claim the exemption. Has anybody else had this issue with Premier versus the pyrite board and the varying documents they require?

Covered in the FAQs [broken link removed]on the Dept. of the Environment's site http://www.environ.ie/en/PyriteReport/ (here). If your testing took place after the 2013 Pyrite Exemption came into effect, Q8 below might be relevant. You still need a 'competent person' to complete paperwork though. Otherwise, perhaps shop around for a cheaper competent person to complete the necessary paperwork.

Q.8 What happens if sampling and testing took place before the commencement of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Pyrite Exemption) Regulations 2013?
Where sampling and testing of the sub-floor hardcore material took place prior to the commencement of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Pyrite Exemption) Regulations 2013, the results from the testing of the sub-floor hardcore material may be used to classify the hardcore material if the testing that has been carried out is equivalent to, or in accordance with, the test methods provided in Irish Standard 398-1:2013, and this has been validated as such by a competent person (i.e. a professional geologist).

In such circumstances, a competent person (e.g. a competent and chartered engineer) shall complete and issue Schedule 1 to the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Pyrite Exemption) Regulations 2013 (if such is the case) where the testing of the sub-floor hardcore material of the residential property was completed before the commencement of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Pyrite Exemption) Regulations 2013.

Please note that a Building Condition Assessment will also be required in accordance with Irish Standard 398-1:2013 before Schedule 1 can be completed by the competent person.

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I called into the Revenue office and asked them what declaration do you make if the pyrite has been rectified - the advice was to get the house valued by a professional and this should be sufficient for the Revenue and to keep this evaluation if needed as proof.

From speaking to 1 or 2 estate agents, the value they put on pyrite houses is zero i.e. unsellable. Plus the Revenue officers are not experts in house valuations - this is word for word what I was told by the chap in O Connell St Revenue.

May not be entirely relevant in your circumstances but may be something to consider. Would be cheaper to pay an estate agent etc than pay 700 EUR.

Good luck,
Peter.