Habitation Licence Arenal Duquesa

I think I just about got the last 'tour' there with Paul about 3 weeks ago. I understand the developers have now got a couple of Spanish sales people in and their English is limited! Maybe your agent can help.

Alan

Had a response from my sols today.  They also state the Town Hall has all the documentation it needs but a technical engineer still needs to visit the site and draw up a report regarding the development.  They told me to expect the Licence to be granted in June (this time no year given!).  Re getting deposit back I was sent a letter last year asking if I wanted to have my money back and give up the chase.  But being English thought I'd battle on to the end.   Maybe I'll get to retire out there, its only 20 years away!

I believe that enough is enough if the licence is not through by the end of June.  Maybe collectively we could apply the bank guarantee with regards to cancelling our contracts and seeing the return of what we have already paid out.  The bank guarantee is with Andalusia Bank.  I have a copy.  I find this a little odd if Caja Sur Bank have always had an interest in the development why did they not gurantee the project?

 I strongly feel it is totally unacceptable, we have all been more than patient and I personally felt that we would all genuinely have had notice of the licence being granted and completion procedure this week. 

I paid my deposit Feb 2004 if I had known then that it was going to take so long I would not have proceeded.

i thnk everybody is just getting carried away with what different people are being told and panicking.   the licence could still come in any day.  there is nothing to say it will be longer than next week.  my lawyer says everything is just held up on that.  cajasur done nothing wrong and are awaiting them just like us.  its just the town hall everything is pinned on.  it was stressed to me that the developer is not holding anything up therefore they will not accept responsibility and therefore are not in breach of contract so we cannot claim refunds in a situation like that. we just have to wait, no choice

suzanne

Cajasur must be really frustrated themselves as they are waiting to collect about 60 million euros and  cannot now use the normal method of speeding things up,  the brown envelope!!

We may just have to console ourselves with the fact that they are legal, they are in a great location and they appear to be well built.

I have just spoken to my lawyer. She spoke with the Town Hall of Manilva today. They informed her they had a meeting with the developer this week in an effort to move things along. The Town Hall are saying they have only one engineer that can go out and inspect sites and they have a large backlog of requests! They will deal with them all in chronological order so where that leaves ours I am not sure. My lawyer is certain however that we will be completed before summer starts!!!

Alan

well done everybody, we seem to have lifted spirits again. its very easy to chinese whisper and then everyone starts panicking. unless somebody has information other than the licences being awaited from the town hall, then i think we are all pretty sure that this is the only problem now.  lets hope we get a surprise phone call very soon with the green light on licences!! then we can all start running around buying everything esle before we can move in.  remember spain is famous for 'Manana' and maybe we now understanding how frustrating that can be but isn't the laid back attitude what we all looking for. also, as i said, my valuation is in process right now so hopefully next week i can post results from that for you.  incidentally, one ground floor came back with valuation of 260,000 this week (as i am told by mortgage broker in spain but think he was being straight as no reason to fib i don't think), not sure on what floor, block etc this was. 

suzanne 

We visited our apartment back in October and had we moved in then, the snagging list would have been very short. Although we were unable to check plumbing and electrics, the build quality and general finish was better than many show homes that we have visited on other developments.

Our only gripe with Arenal was the lack of communication unless you could speak to Paul or Adan.  Gerens have been thrown in at the deep end and looking at the projects on their website, it appears that they are not used to dealing with large numbers of English speakers.

I am certain that they could find a couple of quiet estate agents who would like a 3 month contract to co-ordinate the completions.

You have 15 days  to complete your snagging list after completion.

Alan

Hi Folks, I'm new to this message board. Spoke with MRI on Friday, and was told that some people are trying to recover their deposits, but  I couldn't be told any more over the phone! Is this true, and if so what are the chances? If a group band together does that make it easier?

Thanks, Graham1 

Hi Graham welcome. I personally haven't heard of anyone actually claiming their deposits although quite a few are threatening it as they are frustrated at having had to wait so long. As for starting the procedure I believe it could be a long haul as the developer is saying the delay is not his fault so therefore the claim would probably go to court and then it's anyone's guess when the matter would be resolved. You would also of course run the risk of losing even though at this stage we would appear to have a strong case. Is it worth the risk? The feeling I have is that we are close to completion, on the other hand I have had that feeling for a while. I'm afraid it's down to everyone's individual judgement of the situation as it stands at the moment.

Alan

Hi Graham

I for one have advised all here to put pressure onto the solicitors who in turn will hopefully put pressure on the bank/Gerens.  We all simply want to move in and I have been very keen to push for the licence.  Any court actions to reclaim deposits will I am sure involve a long drawn out procedure and will be very costly.  I think you will find that people may be threathing action in the hope that it will panic the bank and get them to work on the licence.  It is simply our aim to move into Arenal Duquesa. 

You must consider as mentioned on EOS that we are for sure on the home run now!  The apartments were never going to be a fantastic short-term investment.  Property in Spain due to over zealous property developers has had a mad building spree and at the moment the supply is greater than the demand.  Look forward...enjoy your apartment (I am still confident that it will be soon) and I am sure in the long term it will also turn out to be a good investment.

If you are looking for an apartment that has good amenities, close to shops, restaurants, beach, golf etc, fantastic for exploring the southern Spanish area then your apartment will suit you well.  Already I have spoken to many who will be moving in, it will give all of us an opportunity to make new friends (not sure about Alan with the machete though ) and enjoy living in another country. 

ha ha ha elaine.  i know what you mean there!! i bet everyone also thinks i have bought an imaginary appartment too!!  i had tenants booked in 1-15th june.. flights booked and everything!! silly me eh.. Dont know how i'm going to find them an appartment now.   we'll be in soon i'm sure and then we can all help each other with local information on things and getting things done now we all know each other off here.    i bet nobody ever actually meets anybody in person and sit on appartment balconies posting instead!

suzanne

Hi Elaine, Lardan & Alan,

Many thanks for your speedy responses. It seems you are content to sit it out, assuming completion is close. My brief understanding from MRI ( unofficially )  & lawyer is that there are several who wish to have their deposit refunded. Am I missing something is my concern.......do they have good reason. Having not seen the site since I bought off plan 3 yrs ago, I have no view on how it has matured since those glossy pictures, and will it be a good investment medium term.

Cheers, Graham