New rules loom for property developers

PROPERTY developers could soon face greater responsibilities for the management and upkeep of residential and commercial projects, under proposed legislation that would require them to put maintenance budgets, governance arrangements, and other provisions for shared facilities in place before selling individual lots.

Attorney-at-law Alton Morgan pointed out that the Shared Communities Bill, which is in its final redrafting stage would introduce a statutory framework governing developments with common facilities, whether gated or not.

Morgan, managing partner of LEGIS Attorneys, outlined the proposed changes during the Jamaica Developers Association (JDA) webinar on Thursday, warning that developers would have to take a more comprehensive approach to planning projects, including making arrangements for the long-term maintenance of common areas.