Tens of thousands of people are being reminded they have until Sunday to pay their outstanding Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR) charge or face thousands in penalties.

The charge applies to the years 2009 to 2013 to people who owned a property other than their home.

There is no NPPR charge for 2014.

Now local authorities are calling in the payment before the end of the month.

Those who fear they cannot make the payment are being urged to contact their local council.

The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 introduced a €200 annual charge on second residences, payable by the owners to the local authority.

It can be paid online or by completing the relevant form available from the NPPR website.

If payment is not made in full by August 31st - or if settlement terms are not agreed by then - an additional late payment fee of €120 is applied on September 1st.

Paul McSweeney is chief executive of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).

He says a lot of people have still to pay - but has advice for those who may not be able to afford to.