SEAN AYLWARD, the newly elected chairman of the Irish Property Facilities Management Association, has warned that water rates could pose problems for management companies in many apartment developments.

He said that with about one-third of households to be charged a flat rate only, it would be a “hot topic” for managements to ensure there was fairness in computing bills.

“What is the incentive for the owner-occupiers of large apartments to conserve water if all in the complex pay the same rate?” he asked. Aylward is manager of the Nutgrove centre in Rathfarnham. The new vice-president is Vincent Hickey of Aramark.