Hi,
We have just arrived back indoors (UK) following our takeover of our Block 1 apartment. We went to Irene & Alan's barbie and had a great time meeting lots of interesting people, but had to leave at about 10.00 pm as, although we had signed at the notary we were still staying in La Zenia and had no electricity. We had had a long day and were realily feeling a bit like zombies after 4 hours at the Notaries! Sorry for missing out those we did not speak to, but hope to meet you later.
We did go against what we had said and sign without the cert of occupation. We felt reasonably safe because with places on that site going like hot cakes and clearly quite a lot of building yet to go, the builder doesn't want to get into a law-suit. At the notaries, the Palaciosmar man said that they anticipated the certificate in about 3 weeks as that is when they plan to get the electricity and water companies taking over the systems (although someone else said August).
On that latter subject the external electricity cables have now all been tidied up and the temproary distribution boards removed. The only link to be seen is that to block 1, which is neat and encased in a flexible conduit. Water remains the same. I have to say that since they did that we have had no electrical cuts up to when we left this morning.
As for residents of block 1, we know that there will be one other occupant, but the only others we have come across (2) are Spanish, so maybe they will be in the majority in that block?
We are very pleased with the apartment, quality is quite good (agree with what someone said about the furniture, so did our own thing there). Faults were few and mostly, quickly dealt with. Cleaning was another matter. there was a "builders clean" acheived with a bucket of cold water, but that hardly impressed Gloria, so much elbow grease was expended in the subsequent days in getting cleanliness to a "reasonable" standard.
We are now the proud owners of "a place in Spain" and will be back as oon and as often as possible.
Mike & Gloria.