Dennie Quill, Contributor

For a number of Kingston dwellers who have been missing out on the dream of home ownership, last weekend saw a dramatic change in their circumstances. I refer to persons who received keys to their very first homes. Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and current Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller participated in the handover ceremony. And the units looked quite handsome. There are compelling reasons why most persons cherish the dream of home ownership. For one, home equity tends to anchor the financial security of a family. Then there is the sense of freedom to be able to escape the tyranny of landlords, and it adds stability in the family.

But I overheard a remark from someone watching the ceremony: "Check them back in a year's time and see how they look." This person was predicting that these pristine units would lose their lustre in a short time. For sure, this was a sweeping critique which one may characterise as harsh and aimed at inner-city dwellers. however, in reality one must admit that there is merit in this prediction. I can understand his pessimism because, generally speaking, Jamaican homeowners have not done very well with maintaining apartment/strata type developments.

Unkempt properties

Take a look around the city from Ocean Towers to Oakland Housing development where once quality housing units have been allowed to age terribly. For many of these properties infrastructure has not been maintained over the years, their grounds are shabby and the properties look unkempt from the outside.

Affording a house must also mean that one has the ability to protect the property. If the facilities are rundown due to lack of regular maintenance and upkeep, the investment suffers. With ownership comes certain responsibilities, and there are rules and regulations governing the operation of strata developments.

Strata development

There has been an age-old problem with strata development, including some in our resort areas. Millions of dollars are reportedly owed to strata boards by delinquent property owners, including those living overseas. And in some cases disputing owners have locked horns with the strata management. A consequence has been the disconnection of water and electricity in common areas and the absence of regular maintenance and infrastructure upkeep. The management of the strata corporation has a duty to repair and maintain common property, common facilities and common assets on behalf of the owners.

Desperate to reverse the situation, strata corporations have been talking about a number of remedies including: seeking prison sentences for delinquent owners; getting the court to order tenants to divert rent money to pay outstanding maintenance fees; taking legal action against property owners who violate strata regulations by operating illegal businesses from their homes.

I understand that the Registration of Strata Titles Act was supposed to be amended to transfer responsibility for the supervision of strata corporations to the Real Estate Board. However, I could not confirm whether this is now in force.

It is a good thing that there is also to be a department within the board to look into complaints brought by strata owners, as well as for the board to confer and report to a Commission of Strata Corporation to be established under the revised act. I also hope that there is a requirement for persons who provide strata management services to be licensed, because they have an enormous responsibility under the new legislation.

There are myriad problems in the condominium community in Jamaica mainly due to the selfishness of those who do not understand their responsibilities and fail to honour their obligations. Prospective homeowners should ensure that they fully understand their rights and obligations as strata owners if we are to see meaningful change.

Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be contacted at denniequill@hotmail.com