Habitation Licence Arenal Duquesa

Hey Everyone,

Just wondering if anyone knows if the Habitation Licence for Arenal Duquesa  has been granted.. We were advised not to sign until it is in place. Any word on the exact completition date   for phase 1.

Just looking at the Furniture Package Deals..Do they seem very expensive could you do it cheaper your self ..Any Suggestions welcome.

hi there.  we are still waiting for the licences to come through too. our solicitors said jamuary as they were applied for early december.

as far as furniture, we bought through mri and i have been liasing with them.  the cheapest furniture package they do for 2 bed 2 bath is in fact 15,000 euros.  i myself think this is expensive for the basic package too as it isn't that nice.  i have been enquiring about shipping furniture over from england after purchasing here.  ikea and sales here are good.  have been quoted £1600.00 for most of it.  sofas, beds, dining furniture, drawers, tables etc included.  still on it myself so let me know if you find any good tips too

 

I have purchased the beds in John Lewis, they have a fantastic sale and offer 0% finance for 6 months.  The rest of the furniture came from Marks and Spencer they also had a fantastic sale on last week and offer 0% finance for two years, this way you spread the cost without using your savings.  I will ship it over and have been quoted £1000.00. So far with shipping I am looking at £5000.00.  I shall be purchasing all electricals in Spain, ie TV, kettle etc.  I have preferred to do it this way, I have ordered the furniture that I like and I know it is good quality.  I wanted good quality beds that are comfortable to sleep on and furniture that will last, after all it is my holiday home, we do not intend to rent it out it is for our sole use. 

 

If anyone is interested in sending their furniture over in this way let me know as we can share the vehicle and that way it works out even cheaper.  The furniture packages IMHO are grossly over priced and you are not really getting the furniture that you want, you are picking the best of what they have.

hi laurdan.   i have bought my bigger items i.e sofas, beds, dining furniture and outside furniture from imperials in spain.  i have a friend who lives in murcia and works for them.  they are holding for me until completion then will deliver.

i too was thinking of shipping stuff over there.  i thought i could get all my accessories, coffee tables, bed tables and kitchen equipment over here and take over so i would be interested in sharing with you.  as i said though, my larger furniture is already out there but rest of it will make up lots of boxes i reckon.  i live in lancashire, greater manchester by the way. 

do you have any specifications for the windows doors etc?  i don't seem to have any measurements at all and it makes buying things difficult as i don't know for sure the sizes of rooms etc.  the plan from arenal is a very rough one and i think they just dished them out to everyone the same, regardless of their individual appartment plans.  i have french doors on bedroom one opening onto the terrace (they are there because i checked when i went out there in november), along with the french doors on the lounge.  i was not aware that internal doors were double.  far as i remember they were all single doors opening normally, not sliding.  i have ground floor appt module 11 block 2 portal 38.  my valuation hasn't gone in yet because my mortgage broker says he wants to wait for licence. 

my solicitor e-mailed me today to say that the situation is still the same.  some people have had their valuations done but everyone just awaiting the licences from the town hall of manilva.  she said completion won't be may, it will be sooner. once licence arrives which she says is due any time then everyone is on. i hope she is right. anyway, this is turning into a right essay sorry

suzanne

Hi Suzane

Sorry I may not have made myself clear, all internal doors are single.  I was talking about the lounge patio doors which are sliding doors and the window that I have in bedroom one.  The doors to bedroom two are not sliding patio doors but French doors that open into the room.  Not all bedroom two's have rench doors, some have a window.

 

I live in Hertfordshire so it may be a little tricky to arrange to share the shipping, shame.  I have a floor plan given to me by Arenal the scale is 1.75.  It is not great but it helps.

laurdan, yes it probably would be too much of a distance between us to share the shipping, but was a good idea, maybe someone else may be nearer one of us.  i can't remember what my bedroom 2 doors are like at all.  i just presumed it was a single door. seems a long time since i went inside it now. i remember they said mine hasn't a bathroom window like the one i looked at, does yours? anyway, if you don't mind could you tell me the sizes of the french doors or windows. they all look the same.   that is if it says on your plan.  mine is crap!! ha.  mri don't seem to be much help to me and the whole thing is starting to drive me mad. would be nice to sort as much as can before completion as driving around spain looking for things in little time won't be very pleasurable i don't think.  not like shopping for a house here where you know exactly where the shops are and how to get to them.

suzanne

hi laurden.  i haven't asked since but how did you go on with your shipping of furniture and stuff?  are you still sending your stuff across from england.  i still looking for someone. although i'm getting worried i won't need it at this rate!! ha

 

I haven't posted for a long time on this site and have in fact been lax in checking what is happening with Duquesa.  We have also purchased an apartment at Casares Du Sol just up the road and completed in October.  I have to say that the finish and quality is no where near as good as that I have seen in the Duquesa apartments when I last visited (Oct).  Both these apartments are for investment purposes and will be let out as I live in the Costa Blanca. 

Like most of you I did a lot of research on the internet re furniture packages before we completed and had appointments to visit quite a few of the suppliers. For example we looked at  (to name a few!) 'Mad about Furniture', 'Interior Sun Furniture Packages' and 'Furniture Express'.   All supply different price ranges and good quality pieces.  The bonus with these is that they do it all, hang the pictures, put up the curtain rails and lights, even make the beds.  However, we motored down and my husband had thrown in a few tools into the car (luckily as we ended up doing it ourselves).

If you need lights / hardware, DIY etc  (at a reasonable cost) then LEYROY MERIN and CARREFOUR are v good. There is a small CARREFOUR in ESTAPONA - go on the beach road on the other side of the town and you will see it. Leyroy Meyrin is over in MARBELLA , but takes ages (over a hour)  to get there.

Best tip; there is a massive retail park in ALGECIRAS .

Head to DUQUESA, take the MANILVA road, right turn 800m before the PUERTO  – it’s a turn right at the end of the ARENAL DUQUESA development (it looks like a building site entrance!!) that road takes you right up to MANILVA.

Turn left before the town and this will take you right onto the E15 autopista. Head to ALGECIRAS  you can be there in 15 to 20 mins.

Taking this route you can get to San Roque, Valadarama, SOTOGRANDE Golf in about  15mins  You'll go thro LA LINEA and the see the signs the retail park. They have a massive Leyroy Merlin, Carrefour, DECATHLON and other furniture shops. Locals say prices are cheaper here than MARBELLA !!  We purchased a lot of our electrical goods in the Carrefour including TVs, DVD players and all the kitchen equipment and china/cutlery.  Obviously there are more expensive specialised lighting shops if you are intending to keep your apartment for your own use and wish to decorate it specifically to your taste.

 If you want beding / curtains. Then there is a shop in Duquesa 'The English Bedlinen Company – large stocks good prices, nice people. Head to Pureto Duquesa, N340, don’t go into the underpass. Take the up ramp, past the MERCADONA, turn right before down ramp back on to the bypass, and it’s on the left. If you go past it, they have a big sign on the back of the shop.

Furniture. There is a great shop on the N340 in Estapona called GALLERIA. Serge has great prices, he will negotiate, and good stocks. His chaps turn up bang on time, speak French, Spanish and Arabic! And some English.  He can also arrange for your lights to be put up for a small cost if you need it.  Much of his stuff is made for him in Jakarta , so I you like Balinese style teak etc I’d recommend it. He’s nice man and easy to do business with. Also. his convertible corner sofas are the best I’ve seen and make the most of the lounge space. His accessory prices for lamps; vases, sculpture etc are also really good. We picked up two large vases for 30 euros. Good size hardwood patio set with 4 chairs and cushions for 200 euros!!  You’ll find him on the 340 going back to ESTAPONA on the LH side before the roundabout that has the ESTAPONA sign on it, look for the brown sign GALLERIA.

I found that I spent about the same amount as I had intended with the furniture package prices but have much better quality furniture.  Don't forget that the Spanish do not provide the ceiling wires that you can just plug the bulb into.  You only get the wires hanging out of the wall. so pack or buy a torch!   Also with my Casares apartment, it took about 2 weeks to get the water and electricity on, so don't expect to move into the apartment as soon as you've got the keys!  We found that even if you asked or planned to get these utilities connected they won't entertain you, you have to have completed and then they put you on the list.  It is Spain after all!

Hope that helps.

Regards

I have had a ball.  I spent a good part of Jan and Feb shopping and loved every minute of it.

Beds purchased from John Lewis.  Just after Christmas they had a clearance period I did really well and got good quality beds that will not give me backache!

The rest of the furniture is from Marks & Spencer they also had an "Up to 50% off Sale" during end of Jan.  Admittedly the furniture that I purchased I only received 30%, but hey-ho they are now selling it at the real price, so again a good buy.  I personally was not impressed with the furniture packages that I saw, I felt that I was just picking the best of what was there.  This way I have picked want I want. 

I am fortunate enough to be able to store the furniture in my home.  The beds I already have and the M&S furniture arrives end of April. I have used Costco for items etc.  I will have it shipped over once the apartment is completely ready and I mean completely ready.  I am in no hurry, yes it would be nice sooner rather than later, but I want the completion completed properly and I will not be bullied into signing if there is anything wrong, after all we have waited this long.

 I remain positive, as basically there isn't much else you can do.  I do hope that completion runs smoothly and we are all able to enjoy our new homes.  I am looking forward to lots of lazy days in the sun, sightseeing and a nice glass of Spanish wine... and of course meeting new friends!

This message was last edited by laurdan on 3/30/2007.

well said laurdan. i agree completely.  i can;t wait but will have to be patient

Do we have any news on phase 4? Has the work started again? Going over at end of April, mainly intereseted in phase 4! Anyone else purchased on this phase?

Andrew.

Have you seen the arenal website. It looks official now that Gerens have taken over the  Arenal Golf and Duquesa site. Please could anyone that speaks fluent spanish translate it. Thank you.

http://www.arenal2000.es/laduquesa/

I have today received a letter from Grupo de Empresas, Rafael Gomez Sanchez. dated 28 March 2007.

The letter is in Spanish and it reads like this:-

Estimado Señor/a:

Nos dirigimos a usted como comprador de un inmueble en una de las promociones de la empresa Arenal Sur 21 S.A.

En primer lugar, quisiéramos agradecerle la confianza depositada en nuestra empresa al adquirir una vivienda en una de nuestras promociones, en la que esperamos se hayan visto cumplidas todas sus expectativas.

A su vez le informamos que Arenal 2.000, S.L. ha vendido las acciones que poseía de la empresa Arenal Sur 21, Promotora de los inmuebles que usted ha adquirido, al Grupo de Empresas Cajasur; por lo que la gestión administrativa y comercial, que nuestra empresa realizaba para la misma, finalizará el próximo día 31 de marzo. No obstante, igualmente queremos informarle que Arenal 2000 S.L. sigue desarrollando su labor dentro del sector inmobiliario como empresa perteneciente al Grupo de Empresas Rafael Gómez Sánchez.

Es por eso que, a partir de la mencionada fecha, para cualquier consulta o gestión en relación con su vivienda se deberán dirigir a la empresa GERENS, consultora contratada por el nuevo accionista, en el teléfono nº 902 23 22 44 y cuyo domicilio es c/ Ronda de los Tejares, nº 24 Esc: C 7º Ofic.10 14001 Córdoba.

Sin otro particular, y agradeciéndole su confianza en nosotros, le saluda atentamente:

Fdo: Dirección Comercial

I have had a go at translating it for your infomation, please use this as a guide only.  I am only an amatuer and if I have made a mistake please correct me.

Dear Sir Madam:

I was over last week and Paul was still estimating 4-5 weeks to completion. Gerens have submitted their paperwork and are now waiting for a response from the town hall. We were also able to look at an apartment actually on the development. Apart from the 2nd bedroom issue that we all know about (and can be cured with a sliding door) it is looking very good. The build quality and finish appears to be excellent.

I have taken some pictures but the upload fails. It is telling me the pics are not jpg and they are. So if you pick this up Justin perhaps you have some idea of what is happening?

Alan

I can confirm that Paul Cox is no longer in the sales office in Duquesa.  I am somewhat alarmed by this as Paul did see this project as his baby and he was truly interested in seeing this through to the end.  Gerens have placed a sales consultancy company in the sales office with limited English.  The paperwork to the council must be submitted as a matter of urgency if we are to be in with a hope of receiving a licence for the summer.  The bank and Gerens must be alerted to the urgency of the licence and also to the fact that we have been patient but that we are becoming impatient and cannot continue to just sit around whilst they get their house in order.

If it goes on much longer we may all have to make contact with Solicitors and refuse to complete and proceed with compensation.

Laurden when did that happen? I was with Paul last week and although it appeared that he would eventually move on he insisted he would be there short term and indeed I spoke to him only yesterday on the telephone over a couple of queries I had and there was no mention of him now not being involved!

Alan

I do not know when Paul was advised of the changes, but I definitely assure you that Paul is no longer at the Duquesa Sales office.  Here is a number that he can be contacted on, give him a ring if you do not believe me and find out for yourself

Tel No. 0034 952 805699

I feel that this has serious consequences for a completion early spring 2007.  It is of the utmost importance that the licence is applied for in its entirety ASAP or we will seriously compromise our place with the council and we can all wave goodbye to using the apartment this summer

Laurden it was never a case of not believing you, it is very hard to understand why Paul hasn't come clean about what is happening. As I said I did telephone him yesterday and he was chatting as if nothing had happened, indeed he was speaking most enthusiastically about the development. In any case I can't see why him moving on should hold up the habitation license. Surely it is now  Gerens responsibility and the point has been made before that the investors must want a return on their money now. By the way I have just received the same letter as you confirming the changes.

Alan