This compilation brings together in one place writing from the Agency in relation to multi-unit developments and owners’ management companies.

Articles explain the relationships, stakeholders, and systems underpinning apartments, an expanding component of Ireland’s housing stock. 

It is hoped that the material will provide readers with an enhanced understanding of the elements necessary to achieve successful apartment living.

Read the full document by clicking on this link: Multi-Unit Developments & Owners’ Management Companies - A Compilation of Writing from The Housing Agency 

This toolkit has been developed as a mechanism of capturing and sharing the learning arising from the Dublin City Age Friendly Housing with Support project. The overall aim is to provide a guide, particularly for social housing providers (to include local authorities and approved housing bodies (AHB) interested in developing Housing with Support projects for older people. It may also be useful to private developers interested in developing this type of housing.

It incorporates learnings from phase one and phase two of the Housing with Supports project.

To read the full report please visit the How to Develop a Housing with Support Scheme for Older People: Framework Toolkit page.  

To read the related report please visit the Evaluation of Phase 2 of the Dublin City Age Friendly ‘Housing with Support Model’ in Inchicore page. 

The Part V Resource Pack provides a step-by-step guide to negotiating a Part V agreement, beginning with a flowchart of the key steps in the process, which are then explained in greater detail. In addition, the Resource Pack provides some useful templates for local authority staff, a consolidated version of the Part V legislation and a copy of the 2017 Part V guidelines issued by the Minister.

This 3rd edition of the Resource Pack has been updated to incorporate the changes to Part V introduced in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 and the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2015. 

This document will be of use to both local authority staff and developers.

Read Part V Resource Pack 3rd Edition here.

Produced by The Housing Agency and Chartered Accountants Ireland, Owners’ Management Companies – A Concise Guide for Directors identifies ten considerations for directors of the bodies that manage the shared spaces and services of multi-unit developments such as apartments and housing estates.

Residents of multi-unit developments rely on common areas, or shared amenities and services. Under Irish law, an owners’ management company (OMC) is required to legally own the common areas and be responsible for their upkeep on behalf of its members, who may be owner-occupiers or landlords.

Owners’ Management Companies – A Concise Guide for Directors identifies good practice in ten key areas which the directors of OMCs should follow:

1. Directors’ duties
2. Board effectiveness
3. Performance versus conformance
4. The company constitution and register of members
5. Finances, cash, and debtors
6. Company accounts and statutory audit
7. The role of the company secretary
8. Outsourcing
9. Annual general meeting
10. Dispute resolution

Read Owners’ Management Companies – A Concise Guide for Directors here.

The Housing Agency has developed a guidance document, Engaging a Property Management Agent: Guidance for Owners' Management Companies. 

The guidance consists of topics and questions that may be considered by OMC directors when selecting an agent for a multi-unit development, such as an apartment block or housing estate having shared services and spaces.

Attention is drawn to matters including agent licensing and experience, contracts, communications, and property and financial management services.

The content is subject to provisions of law applicable to licensed property services providers, OMCs, and multi-unit developments, including but not limited to the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011, the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, and the Companies Act 2014.  In the event of any conflict between the guidance and legislation, the legislation prevails.

This guide is a live document and may be subject to change from time to time.

Produced by The Housing Agency, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers, this 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.

The guidance provided is subject to the continuing public health advice, including the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, issued by Government, available at gov.ie. The guidance is subject and secondary to the provisions of law related to residential OMCs, including but not limited to the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, and the Companies Act 2014. In the event of any conflict between the content of this guidance and legislation, or public health advice, the legislation and public health advice prevail.

This guide is a live document and may be subject to change from time to time. Compliance with guidance in this document is not the responsibility of the authors. Thanks are due to the Apartment Owners’ Network for its observations on a draft of the guidance.

Read Guidance for Multi-Unit Developments and Residential Owners’ Management Companies during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

10 Tips for Owners' Management Companies During COVID-19

OMC Finances & Governance During COVID-19

The Mortgage to Rent Scheme is a Government initiative that was set up in 2012 to help people who are finding it extremely difficult to meet mortgage repayments every month to stay in their home.

Under the Mortgage to Rent Scheme, a person will voluntarily surrender ownership of their home to their lender. A third party will then buy the home from the lender. The person will no longer own their home but they will continue to live in it as a tenant, while paying an income--related rent set by their local authority.

This Guide outlines the benefits of the Mortgage to Rent scheme, criteria for qualification, and terms and conditions that apply.

Read the report

The Housing Agencys Code of Conduct sets out the parameters and expectations of its Board members and employees.

This report, funded by the Tomar Trust and published by the Housing Agency, examines mixed tenure developments and looks at evidence in Ireland and internationally, as well as opportunities that exist to progress mixed tenure developments.  It includes a checklist of features that promote the highest chance of success for such developments.

View here 

This good practice report by the Housing Agency and Chartered Institute of Housing (edited by Professor John McPeake), provides guidance on the management of empty social housing. It provides an overview of good  practice in key areas of voids management, illustrated with examples from Ireland and the UK.

View  Document