On 11th December 2023, the Government announced that it was introducing an interim scheme to address fire safety defects in apartments.
If this materialises it will be a welcome development. Poor workmanship, leaks etc. may give rise to inconvenience or discomfort but they do not pose a risk to life and limb. The previously announced scheme to address apartment defects of every nature was in our view too broad and would have proved excessively costly to the taxpayer and it would have been very difficult to establish satisfactory criteria for such a scheme.
In a week when harrowing testimony was received by the inquest into the Stardust tragedy it is proper that the focus has shifted to fire safety. Fire safety defects present a real risk to the lives or apartment residents and when such defects are identified, until they are rectified and the remedial works signed off, it is very difficult for the affected apartments to be sold or mortgaged. Purchasers can take a view on defects of other types.
A scheme focused on fire safety has, in our view a much better of receiving the necessary political support to be enacted.
The above is provided for information purposes and is not intended as legal advice. We, at Fitzsimons Redmond LLP, would be happy to talk to you about the defective building work, and advise you on your options. Please contact us on 01-676 3257.
By John Redmond
Partner at Fitzsimons Redmond LLP
