Developers have established an association; they want to improve their reputation

Prague - Domestic developers have established their new professional organization - the Association of Developers, which currently has 13 members. Its main goals are to improve mutual communication and enhance the reputation of the industry among both professionals and the public. This was stated by the chairman of the association's board, Jan Ludvik, at today's press conference.

Founding members of the association include Central Group, Finep Holding, Group, Passerinvest Group, and Skanska Property. "We are an organization with national reach, we are certainly not just a Prague club," said Ludvik. "The term developer has recently taken on a pejorative connotation. Negative reactions often arise from a lack of information or communication. We take part of the blame," he added.

An example of negative perception could be the August dispute over building regulations at the Prague City Hall. At the time, Deputy Matěj Stropnický (SZ) accused Mayor Adriana Krnáčová of creating regulations that appear tailored for the developers. According to him, they do not regulate building heights, are more lenient on advertising regulations, do not take into account the lighting of apartments, and eliminate the obligation to plant tree rows. However, according to Ludvik, the main goal of the association is not to influence the legislative process.

Each developer who wishes to apply for membership in the association will have to accept the statutes and the newly created Developer's Ethical Code. This code requires members, for example, to refrain from using misleading advertising, to recommend services exclusively from independent law firms to clients, and to present a purchase agreement for signing only after the client has become familiar with its content or consulted it with a lawyer.

The association is managed by a board whose members are elected for a term of two years. The board is currently selecting a director who will act as the chief executive officer. "We hope to complete the selection in the coming weeks," clarified board member Martin Vachek.

Founding members of the Association of Developers include AFI Europe Czech Republic, Atkins and Longford development, Central Group, Crestyl, Daramis, Finep Holding, HB Reavis Group, Karimpol Group of Companies, Karlín Group, Passerinvest Group, Skanska Property, Star Group, and Ungelt Partners. The association is negotiating membership in the European Property Federation (EPF) based in Brussels.