I.P.O.A - Irish Property Owner's Association

Our General Meeting took place in the Red Cow Hotel on the 23rd March 2010. It commenced at 7pm. This meeting included the functions of a General Meeting as laid down in Company Law. We had an excellent turnout on the night with over 400 members present. The work carried out for the past year was detailed and an update was given on the registration situation and the Local Government Charges Act 2009. There was also a brief update on Standards in Private Rented Accommodation.

Michael Finneran, T.D.

Our Guest Speaker was Michael Finneran T.D., Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas. The Minister outlined the review of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and stated that this Legislation will be updated in 2010 to make it more effective. There was an opportunity for questions to be put to the Minister and this was taken up by quite a few members. The difficulties faced by Landlords were outlined to the Minister and the financial difficultes facing IPOA members were detailed.

There was an information evening in the Silversprings Hotel in Cork on the 10th March 2010.

We are delighted to note that registration will be available online from the 11th August, this was an issue that the IPOA lobbied on from before the inception of the legislation in 2004. Online registration will assist property owners/landlords greatly in managing their property.

We also had a speaker from Cork City Council on the Long Term Leasing Initiative. Damien O'Mahony explained the initiative and outlined the benefits for landlord and tenant. A copy of this presentation is also available from the office.

A members meeting was held in the Red Cow (Moran) Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin 22, on Monday the 21^st September 2009 commencing at 7.30pm.

The main topic of this meeting was the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, how it affects members, charges for houses in units etc. This was of particular interest at this time as the charge was due on the 30^th September.

We updated members on recent meetings, regarding PRTB, Standards, Rent Reductions etc. This was a very interesting and informative meeting. There was a lot of questions from the floor and comments. The problems facing landlords were aired particularly the difficulties arising out of Government Intervention in the market. This meeting had in excess of 400 members in attendance.

The meeting featured the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, Update on the PRTB, Market Changes, Proposed Deposit Retention Scheme and local issues.

The Guest Speaker was T.D. Ciarán Lynch, Labour spokesperson on Housing and Local Government, a Cork Representative. Ciarán discussed issues affecting the rental market including the PRTB and the RAS scheme. He has an excellent grasp on the rental market, and has put forward a Bill on the Deposit Rentention Scheme. Numerous questions were asked on the evening and members were able to outline their problems and difficulties with the rental market with particular emphasis on the Cork region.

Our Cork Branch had a members meeting on the 18th June 2009 in the New Jury's Hotel at 8pm. This focused on regional and local issues and:

This was an interesting meeting and members found it to be informative and useful. Items particular to the South of Ireland were discussed. It was decided that another meeting should be arranged for September and suggested that the Ciarán Lynch Labour T.D. be invited to attend.

Our last IPOA meeting in Limerick was on the 11th March in the Carlton Castletroy Hotel, Dublin Road, Limerick. It commenced at 7.30pm. This meeting featured issues including:- New Standards, Registration, Dispute Resolution, Buildings Energy Ratings, Recent Budget Changes etc.

Members were as always welcome and on this occasion could bring guest property owners. The meeting was open to all landlords in the private rental market and we enjoyed meeting members and non members on the night. There was no cost for attending this meeting.

There was a members meeting in Cork on the 22nd January 2009. It was an Evening Meeting in the Silver Springs (Moran) Hotel. It was an interesting meeting with really good participation from the Cork Members. The Regional meetings are always well attended. There was no charge for members.

Katherine Ward - Assistant Director of the Private Residential Tenancies Board

David Salusbury - Chairman of the National Landlords Association and Vice Chairman of the U.I.P.I.

Our last members meeting was on the 13th March 2008 in the Conference Centre, Griffith College, South Circular Road, Dublin 8. It commenced at 7.30pm and featured guest speakers from SEI.

The IPOA runs regular events including meetings, training sessions, industry presentations and in October 2007, the IPOA conference. The IPOA is also involved in international events through the UIPI.

The IPOA run courses on property management. More information is availabe from the office on 01-8276000.

IPOA Information Evening Cork

There was an information evening in the Silversprings Hotel in Cork on the 10th March 2010.

Our guest speaker was Anne Marie Caulfield the Director of the PRTB. This was an excellent opportunity to hear first hand the Private Residential Tenancies Board's activities and plans for the future, including registration and dispute resolution. A copy of the Directors presentation is available from the office. There was an excellent questions and answers session with good questions and knowledgeable answers. We are delighted to see that registration will be available online from the 11th August, this was an issue that the IPOA lobbied on from before the inception of the legislation in 2004. Online registration will assist property owners/landlords greatly in managing their property.