In recent months The Housing Agency has been busy providing guidance and support for stakeholders in the apartment and multi-unit development sector in Ireland.
Together with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers, The Housing Agency recently published Guidance for Multi-Unit Developments and Residential Owners’ Management Companies during Coronavirus (COVID-19). The document is intended to provide practical guidance for owners’ management companies (“OMCs”), their property management agents, and their directors during the period of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. The material relates to residential OMCs only. This guide is a live document and may be subject to change in line with public health advice and other external factors.
The publication of this guidance comes after two information sheets were produced by The Housing Agency, again addressing challenges brought about by the COVID-19 emergency: 10 Tips for Owners' Management Companies During COVID-19 and OMC Finances & Governance During COVID-19.
The Housing Agency has also hosted and co-hosted several webinars in recent months:
- The Information Webinar for Volunteer Directors of Owners' Management Companies provided information to assist the work of volunteer directors of OMCs.
- With the collaboration of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, and the Law Society of Ireland, in April The Housing Agency hosted Multi-Unit Developments, Apartment Living and COVID-19. Panellists Aisling Keenan, management agent and author of Owners’ Management Companies Law and Best Practice, and Suzanne Bainton, solicitor with Liston & Company, addressed challenges facing MUDs and OMCs in the context of the COVID-19 emergency.
-
The Housing Agency and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland hosted Owners' Management Company Finances & COVID-19, a webinar addressing the financial challenges for OMCs arising from COVID-19.
-
The Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV) and The Housing Agency hosted Managing Apartments and Multi-Unit Developments through COVID-19. Panellists Ella Dunphy, Management Agent at DNG Ella Dunphy, Kilkenny, and Kay McGuire of Galway Property Services addressed the challenges facing apartments and multi-unit developments during COVID-19.
-
The Law Society of Ireland and The Housing Agency hosted Multi-Unit Developments - Signposts for Practitioners & Stakeholders. Presenters and panellists Suzanne Bainton of Liston & Co. and Cómhnall Tuohy of Kane Tuohy Solicitors discussed developments in law and practice for multi-unit developments and residential OMCs.
-
The Housing Agency and Engineers Ireland hosted Apartments & Multi-Unit Developments: Sustainable Buildings a free webinar for stakeholders in the apartments and multi-unit developments sector. Mairéad Phelan, Head of the National Building Control Office, addressed apartment building life cycles and design aspects in the context of long-term upkeep and maintenance costs.
-
Co-hosted by The Housing Agency and ICSA The Chartered Governance Institute, Owners' Management Companies: Corporate Governance for Company Secretaries & Stakeholders saw Conor Sweeney of CLS Chartered Secretaries address corporate governance, company law, and practical compliance concerns for OMCs. David Rouse, advisor with The Housing Agency, set the context and background, growth in OMC numbers, and wider issues for the sector.
The views expressed by the speakers in these webinars are not necessarily those of The Housing Agency. All information correct as of respective broadcast dates.
