Long let wanted in Costa del Sol, nice location.

All

Received notification of General Meeting to be held on 18th May at Los Balcones (by pool at 11.30am).

Is anyone going to be out there?  The form says that votes can be delegated - so would anyone be happy to represent others?

From the "rules" quoted - some questions immediately occur to me:

1) No changes to exterior - several people already have square satellite dishes outside their front doors - it appears that these will not be allowed - if not will the communal aerial be able to receive what we want?

2) No shutters- does this stop anyone having a metal security grille fixed by a contractor other than the builder?

You may have other queries.

I will attempt to put a copy of the letter on the pictures section of the message board.  Otherwise can e mail it to you if you ask. 

C&R

I think we are all getting these letters now. We are unable to go out for the meeting but have some concerns about the "rules" I think these are standard rules which can then be amended. I can't see any problem over the grilles. the builder saw our doors being fitted, he passed by a number of times & did not say anything.

I do have a concern about graffiti & also the garages. We have not purchased garage space as we felt the cost was too high. How  these are maintained is a question to be asked. (After all they are the buildings's foundation)

I have run off the Horizontal Property Act info from this site so that we can get an understanding of what it means.

I think the builder wants someone else to take over the maintenance costs to be honest; he can't do that until he has the habitation license & has the water/power connected up correctly.

Eileen (&Bob)

Hi All

Ger is over there now as we speak. He is going to ask Shelley for some advice as she has been marvelous sorting out the problems with the builders etc. Maybe she could be a rep for us? I'm not sure what the procedure is and wouldn't want to burden her with any more problems. She's been a star as it is already. Will keep you posted.

P.S.

Ger has just rung me, it is beautiful over there at the moment.

Gina

Hi All

I have just posted a question on the general board in case anyone has had similar experiences. Obviously have never mentioned our development itself. I always say when anyone asks "Near to Dos Mares" Keep our security in here, you never know. Maybe we'll have more news when Ger gets back. By the way has anyone had any keys for post boxes yet?

Gina

Hi Gina

Lucky Ger! It's just started raining here!!

Not had keys to post boxes yet.

Eileen

As with any new housing estate in the UK, I think the rules are more general guidelines than enforcable rules. 

If someone erecting a massive TV dish on the walls to pick up German TV, the community could point to the rules as a way of politely asking the person to remove it.  although the "no barbeque" rule seems a bit over the top!

As for the meeting, could whoever is attending bring up the electricity problem.  That needs to sorted out sooner rather than later.

Cheers,

Bridgendboy

Hi Eileen

Have been in touch with Shelley, she is happy to represent at the meeting. Will need our form signed to take with her. My mum and dad are going over next Tuesday so will take ours with them. Have you been in touch with Shelley yet? I think that maybe we should all throw our suggestions and any queries into the pot as we won't be there. Anyone else have any views that they would like to be put forward at the meeting? I think we should check on the maintenance of the underground car park.

Gina

Hi

I have e-mailed the person who sent the invitation to the owner's meeting. As I might have expected, there has been no response. I did raise one or two issues & made comments on the info that was sent. I think we all have the same concerns though. At this stage I am not too anxious as these things take time to get off the ground. I just hope a good president is elected (not related to the builder!!)

Oh, I wish we were there.

Eileen

Hi

My mum & dad are going to the meeting with Shelley so will be able to give us some more info when we go over and meet up with them. 

Hi All

Meeting is tomorrow, is there anything that anyone would like to know so that I can pass it on?

Well we went to the meeting - what a shambles - you may have had your own reports from your representatives or we may even have met you! 

It was all as clear as mud - the Administrator was present - she speaks only Spanish.  A woman called Margerita from the Administrators conducted the meeting in English.  She itemised what the Administrators have negotiated for all charges such as Insurance, General maintenance, Lift maintenance and Electricity and Water proper connection.  For every one of these there was a cheap or an expensive supplier quoted and we all voted for which one - mostly the cheaper one. 

A guy called Jose Maria (?) was elected as President - he is from Madrid and keeps his flat as a holiday home, with Michael (ground floor first block) as vice president.  This was after extreme reluctance from anyone else to take it on (us included) - so they got a round of applause.

The Administrators are writing to everyone with details of the charges.  The charges vary depending whether you are on the ground floor - they don't pay for the lifts and whether you have a garage.  If you don't then you don't pay for the garage maintenance.

We are on the middle floor of the first block and our monthly charge seems to be going to be about 50 euros per month - then there will be additional charges for the electricity/water etc.  In comparison the ground floor flats charge was about 25 euros per month. 

Lost the will to live after nearly two hours in hot sun and decided to wait for the letter to come!

C&R

Thanks for the feedback. I thought the community charge was the percentage of the total costs as stated on the deeds. It is possible, therefore, that not everyone will pay the same. I am glad I don't have to pay for the upkeep of the lifts but I would have expected to contribute to the whole building redecoration, including the lifts. it's only when you put your mind to what costs are needed you begin to realise the problems, & the reason for such a long meeting. Maybe the next one will be shorter!!!!!

How is water & electricity included?

Eileen

My understanding is that the costs for everyone appear to be all the general costs for maintenance of everything - insurance,pool cleaning, and maintenance etc totalled and then divided by the number of flats.  They then add on the lift maintenance and/or garage charges for those flats to whom this applies.  These totalled community charges also include the connection of the water and electricity to the building by the water and electric companies.

You will then have additional separate charges to pay for your water and electricity usage which will be metered.

C&R

Hi

Nice to see such an active forum.  Surprised to hear that the meeting of the Community has taken place as we have had no notice of it at all!!!

As far as I am aware our keyholder has not got a key to the post box either yet.

Does anyone know if the garage is finished yet?

Looking forward to meeting our new neighbours when we are out next

Za

Hi Za,

Glad you found this forum, it is a great way for us all to keep in touch. Just got back. The weather was fabulous and things are starting to take shape now. Have been for a look in the Garages but haven't bought a space ourselves so don't know if the electric door is working. Have you completed yet? If you haven't then maybe that is the reason you didn't get a meeting letter.There were quite a few people staying whilst we were there, and I have to say all the neighbours we have met so far are great. It is a very friendly little community. If you haven't completed yet maybe you could help the rest of us and ask about the lifts and when they will become operational. As we have already completed it is a bit difficult to get builder interested in our queries as we have paid our money, and as happens over here once that is done we are o longer a priority. We will be getting the minutes for the meeting soon so will keep you posted on the progress.

Kind Regards

Gina

Hi

Completed in February!!!  I have emailed Maria to point out we received no notification of the meeting and to ask when the garages will be ready.  Would be grateful for a copy of the minutes when they are available.

Za

Hi Za

I've been trying to get an e mail address for Maria. Had Alba's before but when she went off site she wasn't dealing with purchase anymore. We have a fe jobs that need finishing so our keyholder is trying her best. Please let me have Maria's e mail. Thanks

Gina

Hi

Just to let you know I have received the minutes to the meeting this morning by email.

Za

Hi all.

Just looked through the email containing the minutes of the General Meeting. I think Isabel has mixed up her Block I and Block II . See THIRD :Approval of the Ordinary Budget ...       Lift maintenance will be paid by units 36 to 44 in Block I ? and 11 to 30 in Block II ?.   Then under Block 1 Expenses   (30 V) and  Block II Expenses (14V) . It would appear it is the first ref above which is wrong.

Does anyone know where the pool cleaning, grass cutting expenses are included or if they are included at all at this point? It would have helped if a definition had been given of what Cleaning covers!

Does anyone have a view on how these charges compare with other similar developments?