And The Lights Went Out in Block 3...

We arrived on Tuesday 10th Feb and all appeared well. On Wednesday the corridor lights wouldn't work and the lift was out of operation.

The reason, we are told is because there isn't enough money in the Community Fund to pay the electricity bill. The lights were still out this morning when we left and I suspect this is going to be an ongoing situation until those owners who have not yet paid their community charge do so.

If you are planning a visit, then please ensure you take a torch: the corridors are pitch black at night - even the emergency lighting is out of action. Also be aware that you will not be able to use the lift.

It's a sad state of affairs and I sincerely hope a solution is found soon, because it's quite dangerous and I think there's an accident waiting to happen.

Additionally, it makes it virtually impossible for the corridors to be cleaned, so we're going to get a great build-up of dirt to boot!

Irene

I quite agree Irene, an accident waiting to happen. Just imagine having a fall on those marble floors. I did trip up the front steps last year (in daylight and not drunk) and even a little fall was quite painfull on my knees.

What is happening to try and get in the community fees? I know that things are tough for most of us at the moment and some of the fees are steep. I'm sure that if people could pay then they would. I wonder if there is any way to keep essential services running? If not then the situation can only get worse. Do you know if it has affected the other blocks yet?

Gloria

Hi Gloria

It's only our block I'm afraid.

The lovely Tony is on the case and is going to talk to Jim and Antonio (the administrator). He already has had one conversation with the latter and he said he would try and sort it out, but if there's no money, he can't do anything.

My recommendation would be to divert all resources from places like the pool maintenance and other non-essentials and get the electricity working. I am led to believe that the people who haven't paid KNOW who they are. I think the next step if they still won't pay up is a name and shame list. After that I think we need to take whatever legal steps are necessary to make them pay if all the softer options are ignored.

I don't have a list of the defaulters - I suspect that might have been your next question!

It's coming up to the AGM so we'll certainly have a clearer picture then as we will definitely have a list of who has paid and who hasn't. We were late payers because nobody bothered to send us a bill! I am assured by Tony that we're up to date but I believe the next quarter's is due soon.

Irene

I agree with you Irene, that all non essentials need to be stopped until such time as the money is there. A lot of people in our block (1) were not sent their bills in the first instance but hope that has now been sorted. There were a lot of non payers last summer but that may well have changed by now.

I don't think that we will have our AGM until the summer as our change of administrator was about June/July last year. Like you i think that our next quarters fees are coming up soon, March I think.

Quite honestly I can see a lot of people getting behind with their community fees as the situation gets worse in the UK and Spain. I really don't know what can be done about it. If people are finding it difficult to cope financially then expenses on the second home will go. We all know that keeping 2 homes going is quite a burden in the current climate. Yes, a name and shame list might get results but I can't help feeling sorry for people in this situation. How many could have predicted all the problems that have made owning a second home such a problem.

I think that it may be only a question of time before some of the other block are affected.

Do keep us informed, particularly if any solutions are found.

Gloria

I'm about to email Jim to see if he can get something sorted.

We're moving out there permanently on 4th March!

Irene

Hi all at mar y sol, you will find it is the norm to produce a list of all the non payers and how much they owe before the AGM.and everyone gets this, it is also displayed on your notice board. Those that are not fully paid up at the time of the AGM can not vote on any of the issues.( and they can not give there vote to anyone else) Pat.

Many thanks for this info - very useful!

Irene

Hi lrene no problem, you will find everything you need to know under the Horizontal law (act) which is the law (laws) under which all communities must be run.if you search for it on here (eos) you will find it,maria de castro has done a whole article on it, you will also find some use info in the how to run a communiy tread.Good luck Pat.

We did get a list of all non or late payers last summer before our change of admistrator. I don't think that we have a notice board though!

We have read some of the Horizontal Law (sad I know!) but I'm not too sure that it's followed very often, at least not in our block!  We were a quarter behind with our fees last year as we deliberately withheld our payment but we were still allowed to vote! After the administrator changed we did pay up and have stayed up to date so far.

Hope things are sorted before you move out, Irene.

Gloria and Mike

According to Jim, the lights are back on - but not sure for how long!

Irene

That at least is good news. Lets hope that they stay on, Irene.

Gloria

Well, I was obviously wrong about our next AGM as we have just had email to say that our AGM is on Sat 28th Feb. Yes, THIS Saturday!! How they expect anyone to get there with such short notice I can't imagine. Most in block 1 are second homes so even for the Spanish is must be difficult.

Oh well, there is not much that we can do now. Just by chance we were there last year and if it continues to be at the end of february we will try to out there in future years.

Gloria and Mike

I'd kick up a big stink if I were you. That's totally unacceptable.

Have you had the agenda and have you been asked whether you wish to nominate a proxy-voter?

Irene

Hi Irene,

Yes, we have a very generic agenda and a proxy voting form, which it is too late to return.  I PM'd you with a link, let me know if it works.

Mike