"Jamaica should know that this legislature is proposing that if you don't pay the maintenance on your unit, the unit is going to be sold in order to recover and for the common good," Ronald Thwaites, Central Kingston MP, remarked.

The legislation is proposing that a series of actions commence if persons have failed to pay overdue fees for more than 30 days, which could result in the sale of the unit.

Time too short

"Thirty days appears to me to be too short ... in an environment where people have lost jobs, where they have periodic incomes," Thwaites said. "Arrears of 30 days is not unconscionable and does not indicate badmindness and an attitude of unconcern or neglect in terms of their obligation."

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who is piloting the bills, said he has identified some areas where "we feel that the bill has shortcomings, where it has benefited from the contributions that have been made both by members of this House as well as from the public".

Among the other amendments to which members were opposed was for the proposed strata commission to be funded from the national Budget.