Magheramorne housing issues raised with MLA

Mr Ross said that over the past number of months he has been contacted by people expressing concern about how management companies, which were set up to look after maintenance and other issues with their housing developments, are operating.

“At present there is no specific legislation in Northern Ireland in relation to such management companies, as the industry is largely self regulating. Whilst elements of company law and property law apply, the whole area is somewhat unclear and complex.

“Whilst some work on this issue has been conducted at Westminster, I have been in contact with various Stormont departments, the Office of Fair Trading and the Law Commission to ascertain what action can be taken locally, and am glad that the Executive will now be tackling the issue following the pledge by Finance Minister Sammy Wilson to establish an Executive sub-group to look specifically at residential management companies.

“It is also my understanding that the Northern Ireland Law Commission are not only aware of the problems and have acknowledged the legal difficulties, but also hope to conduct a thorough review, with approval from the Secretary of State, by 2011.”