In a new twist to the ongoing debate over management companies in new housing estates, the government has stated that only houses with their own front and back gardens qualify as traditional housing estates.

The statement came in response to parliamentary questions put down by Deputy Joan Burton, Labour Party TD for Dublin West.

Once housing estates are completed and “taken in charge”, Local Authority’s have a duty to provide basic services such as maintenance of roads and open spaces, water, sewage, lighting etc.

Local Authority’s do not take responsibility for the maintenance of common areas within gated developments, apartment buildings and in some mixed housing developments.

However, this new position indicates that the government intends to expand the number of housing estates that will not qualify to be taken in charge by Local Authorities.

If an estate cannot be taken in charge by the Council, residents are forced to pay management company fees on an ongoing basis for services that are provided for free to other housing estates.

Deputy Burton said, “It seems that overnight, residents with a front OR back garden no longer qualify as a traditional housing estate.”

“The question of management companies is a very difficult and technical issue that needs to be addressed through the introduction of new legislation to regulate management companies in all types of housing developments. The government cannot just disqualify huge numbers of householders from access to the taking in charge process, without putting in place any measure to protect them from excessive fees from private management companies.”