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Independent working group to examine defects in apartments and duplexes

Problems with fire safety, structural safety and water ingress in purpose-built apartment and duplex buildings are being scrutinised.

AN INDEPENDENT WORKING group is examining defects in apartments and duplexes constructed in Ireland between 1991 and 2013.

Problems with fire safety, structural safety and water ingress in purpose-built apartment and duplex buildings are being scrutinised to understand the scale and nature of defects in the sector.

The group, which was established in February 2021, is asking for homeowners, landlords, directors of owners’ management companies (OMCs) and property management agents to submit information through online surveys.

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said “we need to understand the full extent of legacy problems so that we can address them going forward”.

“I encourage all those who own or manage purpose-built apartments or duplex buildings constructed in Ireland between 1991 and 2013 to complete these surveys – whether the property in question has defects or not, or if the presence of defects is not known,” he said.

The working group will use the survey information in a report to be published later this year.

The Construction Defects Alliance, a group of apartment owners, Owners’ Management Company directors and construction workers, urged members to complete the survey to highlight problems.

“Around 170,000 apartments were built during the Celtic Tiger era and it’s estimated that at least 100,000 of them are affected by fire safety defects, leaky balconies and defective roofs due to shoddy building and ineffective building control,” Pat Montague, spokesperson for the alliance, said.

“These defects are costly to fix — averaging €15,000 to €20,000 for fire safety issues — lead to huge hikes in insurance premiums and these costs come on top of mortgage payments and service charges,” he said.

“However, there is no hard information on the true extent of the problem and the Working Group on Defective Homes is looking for this information so it can shape its recommendations to Government.

“We in the Construction Defects Alliance are urging all apartment owners and Owners’ Management Companies (OMCs) to fill in this questionnaire as a key first step in letting Government know about the defects issues you are facing.”

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    Mute Johnny McGran
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 3:19 PM

    Decisions in dublin bus go round and round, round and round round and round…..

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    Mute david dickson
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 3:22 PM

    They like to do things that suits them and not the customers. Love to know the exact reasons for the change they want. A drivers Sunday roast break.

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    Mute fiachra29
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 3:42 PM

    It might have had something to do with fact that bus journeys in Dublin often go take ages due to their convoluted routes.

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 5:31 PM

    I love those endearing Management bullshit terms – reliability, customer friendly, sustainability, efficiency, the list goes on & on.

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    Mute Marc Anthony
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 4:36 PM

    Dublin bus is a useless quango that only exists for the benefit of the drivers. I live near the 27 bus route and at times they’re so rare that when the bus appears it’s like a mirage

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 5:27 PM

    So Rare ! Last week I saw 2x 27buses passing me bye in Fairview within seconds of each other.

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 9:12 PM

    The 27 is probably one of the least rare bus routes in their fleet.

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    Mute Aidan O'Donovan
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 3:50 PM

    This is national news then

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    Mute Motherofdivinejebus
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 4:55 PM

    Actually it is yesterdays news Aidan, but you are only reading it now due to your crappy Broadband down in Cork.

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    Mute Dognut Dognut
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 5:23 PM

    Haha

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 9:13 PM

    Some cream for that burn, Aidan?

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 3:50 PM

    This is really important news for the country

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    Mute Maurice Brennan
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 4:09 PM

    It is. More people would be affected by this than the population of Leitrim. Important it gets coverage.

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Jul 2nd 2016, 8:06 PM

    It’s an important route to Beaumont Hospital. The 17a is the most undependable bus ever.

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    Mute Pat Gorman
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    Jul 3rd 2016, 4:38 AM

    Galway people and Kerry people are REALLY interested in the 27B Dublin bus route.
    As is the Secretary General of the United Nations.
    Not.

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    Mute Aidan O'Donovan
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    Jul 3rd 2016, 1:40 AM

    The 360meg bb is fine in Cork thanks

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