Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon has said that new regulations, which will come into effect from 1st September 2015, will ease regulations and help to reduce the cost on building single dwelling houses and extensions.
“I am delighted that Minister for Housing, Paudie Coffey TD, has agreed to remove the mandatory requirement for statutory certificates of compliance in respect of one off builds or a domestic extension. Since these regulations came into force last year, they have substantially increased the cost of building single dwellings, particularly in rural areas and resulted in less construction activity than expected.
“Owners, including self-builders, will be given the choice to opt out of statutory certification and may instead demonstrate by alternative means that they have met their general obligation to build in accordance with the minimum requirements of the building regulations.
“These new arrangements will make life easier for Kildare residents planning to build or extend their own home. Nobody who invests in their own home would spend money on sub-standard work but people should not have to pay at inflated rates for excessive inspection services.
“Last year new building regulations were implemented to ensure that we never have another Priory Hall or poorly built housing estates around the country again. These will remain mandatory for all multi-unit developments in the country and I believe this is necessary. But it was not right that the same regulations were applicable to single build dwellings, which mainly arise in rural areas and I am delighted this has now been amended.”