Press Release – Action required on law reform report on management companies – O’Gorman

28/06/08

Green Party Dublin 15 representative, Roderic O’Gorman has called on the Government to quickly take action on responding to the report of the Law Reform Commission on management companies.

“The abuse of the rights of homeowners, particularly first-time buyers, that has occurred due to the use of management companies has been a major negative side effect of the building boom. That is why this report on ‘multi-unit developments’ by the Law Reform Commission is so important. Prior to the General Election, this was an issue the Green Party highlighted and I know that my party colleague, the Minister for the Environment John Gormley, is eager to engage with the other relevant departments – Justice and Enterprise & Employment, in order to get the various recommendations implemented into legislation as quickly as possible”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“The recommendations contained in the report cover a broad area including company law, planning issues, questions of title and conveyancing, and the role of developers. A key element is a draft Multi-Unit Development Bill. I will be urging John Gormley to act quickly to get this legislation passed and to address the many serious issues faced by homeowners in relations to management companies”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information
Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777
rodericogorman@gmail.com

Press Release – Taking in charge guidelines will prevent abuse by rogue developers – O’Gorman

01/03/08

New guidelines setting out time-frames for local authorities to take residential estates into charge, will help prevent abuses by rogue developers according to Dublin 15 representative, Roderic O’Gorman.

“I’m pleased to see that the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, has published new guidelines for local authorities setting out the procedures for taking housing estates in charge. In Dublin 15, we have had numerous examples of inappropriate management companies being set up to rip off homeowners in traditional housing estates, or instances where developers have walked away from new housing estates leaving them only half constructed”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“The new Guidelines will have a number of key features. Prior to planning being given for new estates, a statement will set out exactly what will be taken in charge when the development is finished. Local authorities will have to set out time-frames for taking estates in charge. Further, the Guidelines repeat that management companies should not be attached as part of the conditions for traditional housing estates”.

“These new Guidelines will have to be implemented by each local authority by the end of June of this year. Further, Minister Gormley has requested that a new indicator be implemented which will measure the speed with which local authorities are taking estates in charge, particularly those that have been left without services for a long period of time”.

“When we entered into Government, the Green Party made a commitment that we would reform planning law in this country to stop rogue developers using their muscle to exploit homeowners. These guidelines form part of wider legislative moves to ensure that new residential developments are about building for communities, not for builders profits”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information
Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777
rodericogorman@gmail.com

Planning Guidelines Concerning the Taking in Charge of Residential Estates Here