The National Consumer Agency (NCA) has launched a dedicated website, www.consumerproperty.ie, for people living in or planning to buy an apartment.

The website follows publications of the NCA guide for apartment dwellers, Buying and Living in a Multi-Unit Development Property.

The guide and website both contain information on legal terms, management companies, service charges, sinking funds and developers. Consumers can also find information on snag lists, insurance and fire safety.

‘‘More than a quarter of a million people are now estimated to be living in multi-unit developments,” said Ann Fitzgerald, chief executive, NCA.

Financial advice for students
A new financial programme for transition year students was launched last week as a joint initiative between the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs) and the Financial Regulator.

The programme, ‘Get smart with your money’, has been available to schools throughout Ireland since the start of the month. It encourages students to explore their attitudes to money, and focuses on budgeting, forward planning, shopping around and saving.

Concern over retirement funds
Research from insurer Hibernian has found that almost 60 per cent of Irish consumers are worried that they will not have enough money to fund an adequate standard of living when they retire. According to Hibernian, one in five Irish people will be at retirement age by 2036.The survey found that 55 per cent of people were prepared to work longer to fund their retirement.

Legal Line keeps confidentiality
Clarification on property ownership rights, queries on wills and inheritance, and advice regarding employment rights are the most popular topics on which people seek advice from newly launched Legal Line.

Three out of every five clients who sought solicitor services via the telephone advice line were primarily concerned with preserving their anonymity.

‘‘The current downturn in the economy and the threat to jobs has also led to a surprising number of people looking for clarification on their employment rights,” said Rachael McDaid, managing director, Legal Line.

BoI investment bond
Bank of Ireland Life has launched the second series of its Guarantee Plus investment bond, which offers a 100 per cent capital guarantee.

The life company reported investment sales of more than €40 million for the first series of the bond, which closed to new business on September 12 after less than six weeks.

‘‘The current weakness in world markets represents a great buying opportunity, but it also creates a lot of nervousness for investors,” said Bernard Walsh, head of investments with Bank of Ireland Life.

The minimum investment in the second series is €5,000, and the fund will close on October 24.

Clarification
In last week’s Loose Change, we said Irish online insurer Chill.ie had launched a special offer on comprehensive car insurance.

The piece should have said that the first 2,000 drivers to buy car insurance with Chill.ie would pay a special rate, not travel insurance, as stated.