Potential problems . . .

When you buy an apartment you become a member of a property management company.

You need to know who the other members are. If you contact the secretary of the management company they should be able to give you a list of members.

If you are unhappy with the running of the management company, you can call an extraordinary general meeting (egm) to discuss your concerns.

If the management company fails to hold an annual general meeting (agm), you can ask the Director of Corporate Enforcement to insist that an agm is held.

If the management company (which you automatically become a member of when you buy your apartment) is not happy with the management agent that is looking after the complex, it can appoint a new agent. However, the management company must obey many legal requirements when doing so.

Information provided by the National Consumer Agency (www.consumerconnect.ie)