Recent Wednesday morning seminars put on by the law firm, Myers, Fletcher & Gordon (MF&G) and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce's Conference Board, (JCB) focused on property matters, 'Issues affecting Strata Developments'.

Addressing the topic, Natalie Farrell-Ross, attorney-at-law, acknowledged that "high-density developments like strata complexes are an inevitable part of economic development, as developers seek to maximise the value of the limited land left in the urban areas," but most of the issues affecting strata developments, she noted, "have the potential to adversely affect the successful operation and value of strata properties.

The Registration (Strata Titles) Act has been in effect from 1969 and has been the subject of much discussion in relation to it being amended to address concerns that have arisen since its introduction. One of the main issues is the non-payment of maintenance fees. "This is perhaps the single largest contributor to the deterioration in the value of strata properties and has serious consequences such as the non-payment of insurance premiums, non-payment of property taxes and the general neglect of the common area facilities," she said.