We are a group of apartments owners or owners of houses in managed estates. The group was formed after a public meeting for apartment owners was organised by DCC in October 2007. A large number of people turned up to vent their frustration at the problems they faced and the lack of support or information available to them. Out of that frustration, the AON was formed. Some of us are directors of our own management companies, others are living in estates still run by developers. Every one of us knows the day to day battles that make up apartment living and we’re determined to make a difference.
Even though we’ve only been around for three years, we’ve already made a big impact. We have a working relationship with various government agencies: the ODCE, the Law Reform Commission, the Dept. Of Justice and Dublin City Council to name just a few.
Our aims are simple
- to help apartment owners
- to lobby for better legislation for apartment owners
The first meeting:
June 24th, 2010 on 2:57 pm
Hello,
I’m looking for speakers for a non-partisan public debate entitled ‘Should apartment dwellers have more rights?’. The debate will take place in the Galway City Museum on 5th July 2010 @ 8pm and is organised by the Galway Green Party. Would any member of AON be interested in sitting on the panel?
July 9th, 2010 on 9:33 pm
People should have got on the streets in the first place to STOP the start of the Extortion , Management Companies are Legal Extortion Rackets and I can bet you sitting on there boards are very very very wealthy Directors who are Rich FAT CATS because Apartment Owners DON’T FIGHT and stand up to CORRUPTION,
THE ‘ACCEPTANCE GENERATION’ Negative equity Homeowners have NO fight
July 15th, 2010 on 11:30 am
Dear Summer i am a director of a managment companey and not a rich cat i have a one bed apartment and i am on the board to make sure the managment agent look after our apartments. I give my time free and i feel i do a good job.The problem i would have being a Director is with the Managment Agent trying to get them to do there job. Dont get the Managent Company and the Managent Agents mixed up.Agents are told by the Managent company what to do it is up to the M.C.TO LOOK AFTER ALL THE OWNERS.
September 22nd, 2010 on 1:00 pm
Great website
I don’t know if I am to late for submissions to the bill.
Two owners of the apartments in our complex have taken over as the directors of the management company. These people are using the rules drawn up by the developers to change services to the apartment within out consulting the residents of the apartments. These people won’t tell us what is going on and said that they are only the only people priviledged to company information. They will not liase with the residents association. The bins were stopped for awhile because the service was cut. The mangement agent was changed. We were not consulted about that either. It is one indiviual on a power trip and calling himself a director. We have paid good money for our homes and all it takes is for one person to run rugged shot over everyone. I am waiting for the day the management comapny goes broke.
The wrong residents as directors of the management company is terrible. The mangement agent has to consult this residents about everything.
October 10th, 2010 on 11:03 pm
I am a director of a management company. The original company, provided for in the deeds, was allowed to collapse through our ignorance some twelve years ago. We have set up a new company, but have been told that it is not legally suitable. We have been told it will cost nine to ten thousand euro to establish the correct company.
Robert Irwin,
Courthouse Cottage,
4 Courthouse Lane,
Bridge Street, Limerick
October 11th, 2010 on 2:26 pm
Hello Robert,
Could you not reinstate your old management company. I know that some members have gone this route. It does necessitate audited accounts for the years involved need to be lodged with the CRO however I believe this is much easier and less expensive than the High Court route to have the old company extinguished and a new company created.
Have you spoken with the people in the CRO.
With the new legislation governing Multi Unit Developments- MUD Bill 2009, a company may be reinstated within 6 years of having been struck off instead of having to go to the High Court after one year- Section 27 of the Bill.
Heidelstone Management Company is a company that went your route and I did talk to one of the directors involved and he mentioned that if he had to relive the scenario he would have the company reinstated.
You can find that judgement on line.
Have there been any sales in the intervening 12 years ?
Deirdre
October 11th, 2010 on 3:52 pm
There was one sale about ten years ago. The directors were asked if there was a management company operating. At the time we were unaware of the irregularity and so apparently was the lawyer for the purchaser.
We will try speaking to CRO, although there were no audited accounts for the first three or four years after the collapse of the original management company.
October 11th, 2010 on 4:10 pm
Robert, I note that there is currently a courthouse cottage for sale. This should make life quite interesting…
The CRO are very helpful and are dealing with such situations more frequently than you imagine.
You will need to engage an accountant but it is not unsurmountable and I imagine a much cheaper option albeit that you have to go to the High Court but at least you will only be looking to reinstate a company. The legal argument for creating a new company while the old one exists and the title matters associated with same I imagine to be very complex and therefore expensive.
Deirdre
November 5th, 2010 on 10:47 am
Hello all,
I was asked for some advice recently by a committee member at an apartment block. We’ve had a lot of trouble with our own management in the past which we’ve managed to sort out.
There is a guy on their board named Michael Noone or Noonan, who is not a company member. He is their secretary and signs their cheques etc. I am told that he sits on many management company boards in this capacity. It seems very strange to me, does anyone have any experience of this type of external agent acting for the management company?
Anyway, my advice was to get the chequebook and accounts under their own control and everything else will sort itself out. But, I still find the whol situation very strange and would be grateful for any comments.
Thanks,
Mary
November 10th, 2010 on 1:43 pm
Can you tell me when the november meeting will be
Thanks
Mary
November 19th, 2010 on 12:17 pm
Hi,
I am looking for an answer that someone may know the answer to. Is it possible to have an item in the lease with our managemenet company changed. We are in it approximately two years.
The item is in relation to “no animals whatsoever being allowed”. However, any member I have contacted in relation to this does not have an issue with this as it prevents not just dogs, but also cats, goldfish, hamsters etc. We recently had our agm and our agent said that the lease could not be altered however as we are the management company, is it not possible to change an item in the lease agreement if we agree by majority.
Hope all this is clear. Hope someone can clear this up for me. Thanks
November 24th, 2010 on 11:48 am
Hi
I was wondering if anyone can tell me when the next meeting is and what time.
I would really like to attend, I am an owner occupier and a fully paid memner to a complex of apattments that are run by 4 directors who own apartments there and I am growing increasingly frustrated with the hell I am living in and the directors reply to everything is “not our problem”. I would be really anxious to gain as much information as I possibly can in relation to numerous matters.
Thank You
Celine
November 24th, 2010 on 11:54 am
Hi Celine,
We meet on the second Thursday of every month so our next meeting will be Thursday 9th December at 7pm. You’re more than welcome to come along!
Hi John,
As far as I know it’s very difficult to change the lease once it’s been signed. It’s my understanding that you’d need 100% of the company members to vote on a change at an AGM.
November 25th, 2010 on 2:05 pm
Hi John
thanks for that and I will do my very best to be there that evening. Do I need to bring anything with me?
November 25th, 2010 on 2:24 pm
Nothing at all, just bring yourself
We meet in one of the training rooms on the first floor. Enter through the Wood Quay entrance, go up the stairs right in front of you, through the double brown doors on the left and we’re in one of the two rooms on the left. If you can’t find us, ask at reception on the ground floor.
November 30th, 2010 on 11:01 am
Hello
I was wondering if someone can help to clear up a problem. I am an owner of an apartment which has 4 apartments in the block. Recently the developer handed over management to the 4 owners. My question is do we need to pay to set up a management company or can we simply transfer over the company from the developer?
Looking forward to your response.
Many thanks
Peter
November 30th, 2010 on 11:11 am
Hi Peter,
Normally the developer sets up the management company at their own expense and the lease you sign on purchase is signed between you, the developer and the management company. Initially, the developer and all the owners are shareholders in this company but only the developer is a director. When they hand over control, an AGM is held and owners can be elected to the board of directors. No company transfer is required.
Mark
November 30th, 2010 on 2:05 pm
Hi Mark
Thank you so much for the information, very helpful and much appreciated.
Peter
January 21st, 2011 on 4:40 pm
Hi,
I own an apartment which shares a front entrance with one other apartment. Up until now this has not proved to be a problem, but recently 2 people who I found out are linked to criminals have moved in. I am very scared but don’t want to say anything as am fearful of what they might do. I have the landlord’s number and know him slightly but am unsure whether or not to contact him. Has anyone advice on this please?
January 25th, 2011 on 5:24 pm
Do you have a managing agent. If yes, I would ask the MA to write or call the landlord of the unit explaining your concerns but not mentioning you or giving any info that in any way could implicate you.
If you do not have a MA please let us know and we will come up with a number plan.
January 29th, 2011 on 4:35 pm
Thanks for that – still an ongoing issue
January 30th, 2011 on 10:25 am
Sorry, I am a little unsure from your reply.. do you have a managing agent ?
Have they issued a warning letter to the landlord ?
Meanwhile could you find out the names of the tenants ?
I will pm to advise you of how having the names is useful.
Deirdre
February 8th, 2011 on 4:22 pm
Hi, I lost me keys to my apartment, these cannot be cut anywhere except through the management company who have told me that I cant get a copy of the keys as I am in arrears on my management charge which I know but I have an arrangement to pay a certain amount each month. Without keys I cant get in the front door anyone know what I can do. Thanks
March 1st, 2011 on 11:49 pm
Odhran- ask the Developer or your solicitor to ask the developer for a copy of your keys. There is no way your management co. can do this to you!
March 8th, 2011 on 5:15 pm
Hi I am a landlord in a development of 21 appts in Knocklyon, Dublin. The management company is Falcondale Ltd. The developers are Liam O Farrell & Co. We are having alot of trouble with the management company, they are not getting things done, they are spending the residents money without accountability, etc. All this is approved by the developers/ company directors – O Farrell Co. Basically there are 6 units in Garthywood that remain unsold & held by the developer. All the remaining tenants wish to 1. move to a different, better Property management company 2. Get the developers to resign as directors so we can take control of the property. This seems to be impossible because the developer will not stand down & continues to appoint Falcondale as the management company. Our AGM is coming up at the end of March & I would like to see where we stand legally to remove the existing structures?
Apologies for the long msg – Thanks
June 29th, 2011 on 9:24 pm
Hello, we have just become directors of our management company and are appointing a new agent to act as our manager. we are looking forward to working with them but wonder if there is a contract that we could provide them to cover the estates best interests, rather tha working from the contract the agent has prepared? Would appreciate your thoughts. Kind regards Suzannee
November 1st, 2011 on 8:34 pm
Hi, We are having an issues with receivers who have taken over from the developers. They are refusing to have trees and the like made safe as they say its a man co, issue. We have to date not taken over the common areas or snagged it. There is still over 15% of the developement not sold. Another issue we have is sound between the units, we were going to get sound tests done, but we dont know if there is any redress now the developers are in receivership? Anyone had similar issues that can give us some advise. Thanks