THE energy regulator is to receive a submission within weeks on how water charges will be levied on apartment dwellers.

People living in apartments will not be metered so they will be subject to an "assessed charge", to be determined by the Commission for Energy Regulation.

When it's introduced, the levy is expected to push up rents in the private sector as landlords pass on bills to tenants.

The new utility company Irish Water will shortly provide the commission with a document setting out the possible tariff structures.

But a spokesman for the regulator said the ultimate decision lies with the commission.

He said they envisage putting the information out to public consultation late this year or early next year.

"The timeframe for this project is very tight. We envisage we'll consult on the metered and non-metered tariff structures. We have not got the submission from Irish Water yet," the spokesman said.

EXPECTED

When it gets the document, the commission has to review it and go back to the utility company with questions before instigating the consultation period, which is expected

to be between four and six weeks.

The assessed charge is controversial as it is not based on usage. It means there is no incentive to cut down on the amount of water used.

A spokeswoman for Irish Water said: "People living in residences not in scope to receive a meter, which includes apartments, will pay an assessed charged which will be set by the regulator, the CER, following a consultation."

It was revealed earlier this month that householders face the prospect of being hit with VAT on top of their water charges when bills are issued in early 2015.

Irish Water will be obliged to impose the tax when it begins issuing bills in just 15 months.

Most EU countries charge VAT on water bills but the rates vary from 0pc – known as zero-rated – in the UK and Malta to 27pc in Hungary.

comurphy@herald.ie