http://www.sligotoday.ie/details.php?id=10604

Clamping ‘Law Change’ for Sligo

A new Fine Gael bill could change the clamping system currently in operation in Sligo. Although no public clamping vehicles are operating in the town or county, the companies responsible for clamping on private property in Sligo will be affected.

The bill is designed to target rogue clamping companies who unscrupulously overcharge their victims and they will be stamped out under tough new laws published by Fine Gael Transport Spokesman Simon Coveney TD.

In Sligo, several clamping companies implement their policies in private car parks owned by Dunnes Stores, Sligo General Hospital, IT Sligo and several hotels. Fees to release the clamped vehicle range from €60 to €120.

The Vehicle Immobilisation Regulation Bill will make it illegal for a company to clamp a car, unless they are an approved company with an operating licence.

“This Bill will radically transform the clamping industry. For the first time, the industry will be regulated with legally enforceable standards for motorists. It will also protect legitimate clamping operations while stamping out rogue companies.

“Under the current system, anyone can set up as a clamping company on privately-owned land. Companies and individuals of ill repute have been able to operate unscrupulous clamping operations.

Simon Coveney TD said, “Fine Gael’s new Bill would require all clamping companies to be licensed by the National Transport Authority.”

The Bill will include the following;

• A legally enforced code of conduct to protect motorists;
• It will be illegal to clamp a vehicle without a licence;
• A cap on clamping fees;
• Garda vetting of all clamping employees;
• A time limit within which clamps must be removed;
• An independent appeals mechanism for motorists.

“The lack of regulation means many motorists have been preyed upon by unscrupulous operators. At the same time, legitimate clamping operators have taken to wearing stab vests to protect themselves. This chaos cannot continue.

“Car clamping should only ever be used as a last resort. This Bill makes sense for everyone concerned, and should be passed into law as a priority. I hope that all Government and Opposition parties would support these proposals when they come before the Dáil later this year.” concluded Coveney.

Whilst there is no suggestion that any rogue companies are currently plying their trade in Sligo, there have been many occasions where, on private land, the clamped motorist had no option but to pay.The Bill will afford rights to protect the motorist.

The company NCCP are a licensed company operating in Citygate

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Bourke Property have added 4 new locations to their growing portfolio of properties to rent . We now offer a large range of properties both in town and in the county . Strandhill is an exceptionally popular location both for families and single people as it has many amenities to offer.

Moving to Sligo in the near future ? Contact us – we have  a large range of rental properties to view that  are immediately available .

All Landlords be advised that time is running out for NPPR which is the €200 tax on all second homes due before the end of June 2010. Check out the website https://www.nppr.ie/ for all further details.If this is an area where we can facilitate you please get in touch .

We would like to welcome all the new medical personnel moving to Sligo at the end of this month and we look forward to relocating you to Sligo . Also to all our Doctors leaving we hope you enjoyed Sligo and had a satisfactory tenancy with us here in Sligo and we would be glad to look after you again in the future should you move back again .

Bourke Property Management had a very successful meeting with Emer Nangle the newly appointed Property Manager for our Dublin liasion office Monti, 15, 16 Lwr Pembroke St Dublin .She spent the day in Sligo reviewing all their interests.

Sligo Citygate C0mplex residential section  is now fully occupied and the Management company are optimistic that we will paint and redecorate the lobbies in the near future.

It is still financially challenging to manage this complex in these times and we have switched to Bord Gais as our new energy supplier in a strive to be more cost effective.

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Bourke Property Management have been retained as managing agents of Citygate Apartment Complex in Sligo following on from a very productive developers/residents meeting held in the Sligo Park Hotel on the 24/02/10.

The rental market is on the up as properties are all but full and rental prices are holding steady.

In spite of recession the letting agency is busy and almost all our curent properties are occupied.The prices have stabilised and rents are holding their value.We are organising the inaugeral AGM of the Citygate Management Company and paperwork for same is considerable.Now that the frost and snow has passed we are assessing the tidy up and repairs that need to be done.There is a touch of spring in the air and hope forbetter things in the new year for all.

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