Management Companies

01 What is a Management Company?

A so called "management company" is a company registered in the CRO usually as a Company limited by Guarantee (CLG) or a Designated Activity Company (DAC),  with an object clause to manage a multi-unit development. The "management company" owns the common areas of the development such as: car parks, green space, stairwells, lifts and communal hallways and maintains them for the benefit of all property owners and typically provides for insurance cover.

On acquiring a unit within the development, in addition to the apartment or house such person also shares ownership of the common areas. Stemming from this, it is usually a condition of the purchaser's contract that they sign a co-ownership agreement which obliged them to become a member of the management company.    These co-ownership agreements are essentially rooted in the laws of contract and private property,  rather than in any particular Act of the Oireachtas.  Following on from this, it should be clear that the requirement to become a member of a management company is not a requirement under company law. 

There is no special body of company law which applies only to so called "management companies" or is applied differently so far as management companies are concerned.  The "FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) section of this website answers most general company law type questions in relation to all companies.  Most of the issues arising in the so called "management companies" are not company law issues and the ODCE cannot assist.   The attached document lists the breaches of company law where ODCE can assist with.

02 Are management companies a product of company law?

No. It is important to stress that management companies have no special meaning and are in no way a requirement of company law. There is nothing in the Companies Act which states that a management company must be brought into existence in connection with any multi-unit development, and some multi-unit developments exist which do not have a management company associated with them. Furthermore, it is important to point out and emphasise that there is no special body of company law that applies solely to management companies.

03 Where can I find the legal source from which management companies operate?

Court Rulings

Theme picker

Feature

New Publication:

Single Guide for Companies 
Email info@odce.ie for a copy

Please visit FAQs before contacting the office

Covid-19 and AGMs

What's New

COVID-19 NOTICES
Temporary contact details
Insolvency related issues
Data Protection issues
Statement on the performance of our functions
Temporary amendments to Companies Act 2014
(extended to 30th April 2022)

The Director of Public Prosecutions v Kenneth Shanny

11 April 2011


Details of Defendant:
Kenneth Shanny

Address:
13 Supple Hall, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath

Venue:
Dublin Circuit Court 15

Judge:
Judge Hogan

Alleged Offence(s):
The defendant was charged with 16 separate offences, 2 of which were offences under Section 187 of the Companies Act 1990 (qualification for appointment as auditor) and Section 242 of the Companies Act 1990 (furnishing false information to the Companies Registration Office).

Outcome:
The court convicted the defendant on 2 charges, one under Section 4 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001 and one under Section 242 of the Companies Act 1990, imposing a sentence of 3 years imprisonment on each charge, with the last year suspended on both, with a Good Behaviour Bond for two years after release (in relation to both offences). Both sentences are to run concurrently. Leave to appeal was denied.

Theme picker