Building Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 July 2012

Wednesday, 4 July 2012

Ceisteanna (190)

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

193 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider amending the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 to give additional powers to management companies to penalise home owners refusing to pay their management charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32726/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

The position is that section 18(10) of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 places an obligation on the owner of each unit in a multi-unit development to pay all service charge levied by the owners' management company under the Act. Moreover, section 22 goes on to provide that service charges which remain unpaid may be recovered by the owners' management company as a simple contract debt in a court of competent jurisdiction, normally the District Court.