press releases 2006
Property Investors Call on Government to Help End Homelessness
Landlord's Organisation (IPOA) Launches “Home for Christmas” Fund
Estate Agents React to Forthcoming Buildings Directive
People in Green Houses
Property Owners Beware! What Will Our Soon To Be Energy Rated Properties Cost Us?
Minister Calls for a Comprehensive Energy Policy
Minister to Open Major Conference on Energy Efficiency and Property
PRTB Continues to Scapegoat Property Owners for Its
Lack of Progress
The IPOA present THE GREEN HOUSE SESSIONS
A major one-day event on energy efficiency in investment property
The Irish Property Owners Association Condemns D4
Rental Scam
The IPOA Await the Facts on Recent Allegations
PRESS RELEASE
T he Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA)
for immediate release
8th June 2006
PRTB Continues to Scapegoat Property Owners for Its Lack of Progress
Despite an announcement today by the Private Residential Tenancies
Board
that it is providing an excellent and improving service to the private
rental sector, property owners in Ireland are experiencing quite the
contrary.
Almost two years in existence, the PRTB continues to experience
substantial administrative problems to the detriment of property owners
nationwide.
While property owners endeavour to comply with the registration process
they in return get unanswered phone calls, e-mails and queries and a
general silence from the PRTB. The PRTB office is only manned in
mornings, resulting in a massive delay and backlog and a dire lack of
information
provision, the core function of the Board and essential for its
effectiveness. The current shortfall of unregistered rental properties
with the Board does not allow for vacant properties, difficulties in
getting
tenants to co-operate and alternative forms of letting agreements that
may be in place. If investigated, these factors would bring the shortfall
amount down significantly.
There is still a substantial delay in the administering of the accepted
registrations - in many cases, up to 6 or 8 months, during which time
some tenancies may have changed. These delays seem to imply that many
property owners have not yet registered, whereas in fact, the backlog
has meant
the Board has not actually processed their registration. Thus, the local
authorities are denied the funding necessary to carry out inspections,
a
process which still remains nonexistent.
The dispute resolution mechanism, the heart of the legislation, has
proved a disaster and has led to demand for the return of the old resolution
procedure i.e. the courts. There is still a number of cases queuing
up
to be dealt with and of the 230 cases with determination orders issued,
only 11 are before the courts for enforcement. At a meeting in Cork
last
night, Stephen Faughnan, Chairman of the IPOA outlined the tribunal's
decisions as legally unsound and pointing towards unqualified decisions
on legal
matters.
Property owners are being scapegoated for the intense shortcomings
of a
government appointed administrative mess. IPOA members continue to be
intensely dissatisfied with the workings of the PRTB and the Association
will carry on to endeavour to highlight this quandary and demand
improvement in the process.
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PRESS RELEASE
for immediate release
1st June 2006
The IPOA present
THE GREEN HOUSE SESSIONS
A major one-day event on energy efficiency in investment property
Over the past year, the Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) has
been continuously highlighting to its property investor members the
importance of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and its
impact on residential property in Ireland. The Directive, which contains
a range of provisions aimed at improving energy performance in residential
and non-residential buildings, both newbuild and existing, will have
a significant effect on the buying and renting of property in Ireland
over the coming years.
Acknowledging this and endorsing the positive environmental effects
of energy efficiency in residential property in general, the IPOA has
launched The Green House Sessions, a major one day conference which
will take place on 17th October 2006 in the Hogan Suite, Croke Park,
Dublin 1.
The event has been designed in conjunction with award-winning architect
and energy expert Duncan Stewart and will comprise 4 separate sessions,
each focusing on areas of specific interest to property owner-investors.
Topics range from the energy crisis to practicalities (including cost
and methodology) of creating a more energy-efficient home. The Green
House Sessions will also focus on the Directive and will look overseas
at case studies of possible ways of creating optimum energy-efficient
environments.
Speakers include Kevin O'Rourke and Paula Rice, Sustainable Energy
Ireland, Bill Quigley, National Centre for Energy Rating, Alan Cooke,
IAVI, Charles Roarty, Energy Action and Mike Haslam, Solearth.
According to IPOA Chairman Stephen Faughnan 'The Green House Sessions
marks an important move forward within the IPOA. It provides a platform
for property investors to see first-hand the impact of the Directive
on their property and to gain practical knowledge of how best to improve
their property in line with a more energy-aware environment. The inclusion
of an exhibition/trade show element to the event will give practical
advice and information to property owners on everything from methods
of heating and insulation to energy auditing'.
ends
For further information ,contact Sara Corcoran/Gemma Ryan, Ion Communications.
Tel: +353-87-7624258 / 7643788
Email: ion@indigo.ie
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PRESS RELEASE
for immediate release
21st April 2006
the Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA)
The Irish Property Owners Association Condemns D4 Rental Scam
The IPOA are appalled at today’s reports on the rental scam in
D4 apartments. The irresponsible and criminal behaviour of one conman
is at risk of sending its thousands of property owner members into disrepute.
According to Stephen Faughnan, Chairperson of the IPOA, "It is
alarming that so many people have been conned by a person purporting
to represent our sector. Thankfully this is a rare occurrence but to
try to prevent it happening again we appeal to tenants to make sure
that your landlord is a member of the Irish Property Owners Association
or a licensed letting agent."
The IPOA suggest that prospective tenants ask their landlords for their
current IPOA Membership Card, a utility bill or other form of confirmation
of ownership for the property he is renting. By doing this there will
be transparent identification processes in place, which will help protect
the tenant and eliminate such occurrences. According to Faughnan "It
is sad that such precautions need to be taken, but as with all sectors
criminals are prepared to take advantage at any given chance and we
must endeavour to protect our members and their tenants".
The IPOA have a detailed code of ethics which its members are obliged
to follow. This is in place to ensure that property owners in the private
rental sector follow procedures and practices that are both orderly
and ethical. "We are confident that our members operate under this
code but are saddened that others do not".
Ends
For further information please contact
Gemma or Sara on tel: +353-87-7643788 / 7624258 email: ion@indigo.ie
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Press Release
IPOA
7th February 2006
The IPOA Await the Facts on Recent Allegations
The Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) are gravely concerned
about the statement made yesterday by Niall Crowley of the Equality
Authority. Mr Crowley stated that the Authority are probing into allegations
that landlords in the private rented sector are turning away potential
tenants based on their race. According to Stephen Faughnan, Chairman
of the IPOA "To date there have been no such accusations made towards
any IPOA members. It would be a worrying development if these accusations
prove true against property owners. However we await the facts, and
if they proove that their has been discriminatory behaviour should any
of our members be involved we will treat the matter very seriously".
The IPOA as the national organisation representing landlords have a
code of practise which encourages fair treatment of all potential tenants.
We have no reason to believe that this practise is not adhered to. Our
members provide accommodation to tenants from all walks of life. However
as many of our members have been ill treated and badly stung by tenants
we also advise them to be careful who they rent to irrespective of race
or creed.
Ends
For further information contact Gemma or Sara, Ion Communications
Tel: +353-87-7643788 / 7624258
Email: ion@indigo.ie
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