THE GOVERNMENT’S report into unfinished housing developments, or ghost estates to you and me, highlights the need for complete reform of the bond system used by local authorities when granting developers permission for housing estates. In addition, there’s a need for a standardised agreement and wording for bonds as well as a more consistent charging mechanism to be put in place – it’s alarming that that did not already exist.

The advisory group found that legislation may have to be changed in order to allow local authorities to access the bond to compete the estates because they had referred to common areas and facilities, rather than the housing itself.

The present situation can’t continue as it leads to lengthy enforcement proceedings and occasionally a need for legal judgment.

The only winner in such cases is, once again, the lawyers.