Light fittings

I guess that is the million dollar question. We have recently been informed by our agent that we can expect a three to six month delay on our original date, which was April 07. Unfortunately they have lied about everything else so I am expecting it to be longer. Time will tell I suppose.

Thanks and regards to everyone, I have been watching this site for some time and have found it very useful.

Cheers Phil Smith 

Hi Smith3.  Pleased you find the info useful.  It is very difficult sometimes to know what questions people want answered or what info they require when so many just read and dont post anything.  So thank you for your contribution.  As I live here in Jumilla, I feel I am in a position to answer some questions that both purchasers and prospective purchasers may have but I dont know what it is you all need to know. 

In connection with completion dates.  We are all, I think, waiting with baited breath for a communication from San Jose with revised dates.  The date on my contract is May 2007 with an extension of three months.  Add to that the fact that I will not complete without a habitation licence and I am probably looking at May 2008 at the earliest. 

Linda,

   Hello again, why do you expect a 1 year delay? If this is going to be across the board then those of us that invested in 2005 or before should be compensated. San Jose have had a lot of our money invested earning I expect a good interest while we get nothing but delays.

 

Ian

Hi Linda

Not wanting to sound igornant, but what is a habitation license and do we need one?

Rachel

My completion date as stated before is MARCH 2007 fast approaching and SJ have had my money 12 months.

I have had no communication from either them or Ambasun to say any different so I expect contact by the end of June asking for my money and like Linda will want a habitation certificate prior to partting with any more money

Perhaps Linda will explain to members the importantance of the certificate

A point on compensation why not ask SJ now you never know do you

The habitation licence is applied for by SJ to the loocal government, this is supposed to be in place before final completion and people move in without it you have to use SJ power units for electricity this is often interupted for various reasons leaving anyone who has completed without  power, SJ need this licence before you can effectively be conected to the national grid. I think I am right in saying SJ will try and get people to complete without it but be warned if you do complete and use SJ power supply loss of power will be common. This is my limited knowledge on this subject.

Thanks Chantra

I think i am right in saying you can't get telephone conncetion or apply for residentia as well so it is quite important to ensure you have one . I remember someone telling me also that you may have to ask your soliciotr to check this licence is available as thye wont automatically tell you,  you need it

One question I have is it the law this licence is in place before people can move in i.e. can SJ make you complete without it ?.

once the property has been built an official from the planning department of the municipal authority must inspect the property to ensure that it complies with regulations for newly-built residential properties and the planning permissions. If the property conforms to regulations it will be granted the appropriate residential-use licence by the local government Certificate of Habitation (Cédula de habitabilidad o licencia de primera ocupación).and you cannot get services connected by the recognised water & electricity suppliers and in theory you cannot take out a residential mortgage. During the period before the licence is granted you are on builders supply.

It is common practice to complete on the property prior to the certificate being issued but buyers should be aware that there are no guarantees that the certificate will be issued at a later date and that builders supplies will be maintained to the properties. Your solicitor will tell you NOT to complete without the licence but many people do for a variety of reasons including the time it may take to get one.  San Jose cannot make you complete without it.  It is normally your own personal circumstances that are the problem.

Builders supply problems such as low pressure water, power surges and low voltage supply, especially at times of peak use, may occur.

Some new urbanisations wait for a very long time for the licence but I personally cannot see this being the case at Santa Ana del Monte.  San Jose have complied and dealt with every aspect of the licence procedure correctly and to the finest detail. They are also building a lot of phases together which will presumably make it a lot easier for Jumilla Ayuntamiento to pass the certificates providing they arebuilt the spec that was originally submitted and agreed by the Ayuntamiento.

Linda

Your updates have been invaluable and I look forward to your continued updates.

I dont know whether to be excited or depressed at the minute. Our completion contract date is March 2007 and I have not been officially informed about a delay even now! I am buying direct and felt most comfortable with Grettel who kept me reasonably up to date. Since she took her leave however I have sent 3 or 4 e-mails asking for some sort of indication from san jose when my property will be ready.... my last one was stroppy!

I knew all about the risks with off plan buying and am still happy about my decision I mde but cannot understand why san jose at this stage cant at least give me some indication of a date. I have flights booked for August but no accommodation...what do you think my chances are of using my property, given footing work has clearly started!!?

Thanks for your updates...I look forward to them as you are my only source of information at the moment. Have you thought about getting san jose to employ you, they need some advice on the art of communication.

Thanks and regards Mike Smith

Ian and Margaret

My thought here is based on logic or my logic anyway.  SJ are building the first phases together so they will all come together at roughly the same time.  Many new buyers since the licences were granted and I get emails from some asking questions. The completion dates they are given, if new buyers, are from Dec. 2007. 

I also have been hanging in there since the early days and for me and a few others the completion date of March/May/June was already a year later than we had expected at the time of signing the contract.  but hey thats off plan for you.  Thats the risk taken.

As far a compensation is concerned, I'm not sure they know what that means in Spain and even if they do one person asking for it would not mean much,  they would just resell at a higher price and one would be left trying to find another property at a price one could afford and going through the whole stressfull procedure again.

If collectively a group of buyers asked for compensation that might be a different matter as selling 1 property, now the licences are through, would not make too much of a dent but en mass would be a whole new and different ball game. Again it would be a risk (call my bluff).

It is also possible that, as an individual, who has sold up their home and based their future life plan on the basis of the contract dates given, that that individual could appeal to SJ for some sort of compensation and reasonably expect to get it. However, would SJ open the floodgates so to speak.

Personally I really want them to get on with it and build the golf course, which looking at the site, appears to have been a bit neglected at the moment cos our life plan was based on and around that happening.

 

Hi MikeSmith.  Yes I remember you from the early days in this forum.  It is also nice to know that my contributions and information are of use, as sometimes, until recently, it felt like I was talking to myself. I even deliberately stopped posting at times to see if I got some sort feedback and I feel as though I have been on here for a very long time.

I to have often wondered why San Jose did not employ me but having said that I do prefer to remain impartial and hopefully objective.

Nobody that I am aware of has been informed about a delay.  I am really surprised at San Jose's lack of communication.  I am also buying direct and I can assure you I have had several emails from buyers lamenting Grettals departure. I hope she reads this from Costa Rica.  I will probably go pay the office in Torre a visit sometime this month and see what I can get but I learnt some time ago that action speaks louder than words, which is why I dont talk to the guys on site much when I pop in. I go by what I see not what I hear.

As far as August is concerned its anybody's guess at the moment.  I will keep you all posted with photos so you can see for yourselves. 

The following thread may throw some light on the Certificate of Habitation  and temporary supplies

http://www.spanishpropertyinsight.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1057&highlight=builders+supply

Linda, I would just like to say you are a fantastic point of reference, and are very much appreciated, at your continuing help. Cheers.

Hi Linda,

We actually had a letter from Amba Sun in December saying that San Jose had informed them that they were presently running a 3 to 6 month delay on completeion. At the time I emailed them back and pointed out that my contract date was October 2007 with a 3 month run on. Anything further than this I expect to be compensated. They replied and said I would have to get my solicitor to sue the builder.

Obviously none of us want to get in this situation When  I have asked the guys on site they said that any delay on completion dates, people would be offered accommodation at properties at La Zenia where San Hose own. This has certainly been the case on the site near to me at Villamartin. The site is called Playa Golf and SJ sometimes rent the house next to ours for people waiting  for their house to be completed. This option may satisfy people who are intending to move out or come for holidays but someone such as yourself who already lives in Jumilla it isn't a good option.

 

Regards Ian

Hi All

 

Thanks for all the useful info having read previous posts both here and on the Santa Ana web site I thought SJ had said they would update people once the building had started in earnest  and so end of Jan early Feb they would make a statement re timings on completion dates

 

Kevin 

Must say I am a bit surprised that the build hasnt been cranked up to maximum, I know some work has been started, but they seem to be no further on with the golf course according to reports, and still know materials on ssite, not the most encouraging for someone with a March 07 completion date, I too am not expecting to move in until possibly early next year, cannot get a date from SJ either with regards to a completion date.

Hi Ian and Margaret
I think for those waiting for their properties to complete and who will suffer hardship because the build is late, SJ may offer the La Zenia option or similar.  I have always found them to be a company who do care they just lack communication skills and I would think do not want to commit to something in writing that seemed right at the time but later has proved to be  incorrect.  This happens a lot in Spain as you probably know.
I, personally, am not looking for compensation not that I would say no if it was offered, which it wont be. I wont have a mortgage and my money is sitting in the bank earning interest.  In fact I probably wont want to part with it when the time comes.  Ha Ha. Our inconvenience is that it holds up our plans for the future but we new it was off plan and that this was a possibility as I did a lot of homework before committing to this project and as far as the letting potential is concerned, I would prefer to keep my money in my pocket until the site was habitable with a playable golf  course. It is those who are going live there that it makes the most difference to.

Thanks Dave for website and Linda for info.

Roy and Debbie

Thanks for that update Linda...and please keep your updates going. It is very cold in England and the thought of sunny spain and the nearing completion of our holiday home keeps me going!! Mike. Your updates keep us going.