Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The Minister will be aware that tens of thousands of people live in homes that are subject to property management company charges but there is no legislation dealing with the regulation of such companies. I am alarmed by the reply the Minister just gave to Deputy Quinn regarding the consolidated companies legislation his Department is preparing. There must be separate, specific regulation to deal with management companies. Legislation is promised regarding agents. One of the agencies under the Minister's ambit is the National Consumer Agency, which has promised a code of practice for management companies in the near future. However, the agency has no legislative power to back up that code of practice and awaits fresh company legislation. It appears from the answer the Minister has given that there will be no regulation of management companies before the next general election. In the meantime, tens of thousands of young home owners are being ripped off and badly ruled by a new form of ground rent.

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