The chit-chat area

Hi Davmunster

Thanks for the information about the door sizes - now all I have to do is convert to real measurements!! Thank goodness for double tape measures that give me feet and inches.

I can feel a trip to Ikea coming on.......... reconn in Croydon and hopefully buy (lots of lovely things) in Malaga

Sonia

Having just returned from spending some time in our apartment I thought I should post  for the first time,  I have been reading all the posts very closely for some time.  We had a great time - sun shining nearly all the time - makes a change from the cold weather here in Scotland.  We have bought with friends - in block 7.  The views from the apartment are wonderful.

We were able to walk in and stay for 10 days as Max and Saskia had cleaned the apartment.  It is great to have people on site who are able to help in this way and we are very grateful that they decided to set up their new company,

Irene & Gordon

Should also have mentioned that we also managed to meet new neighbours who had just signed - Sven & Careen ( not sure if I have spelt names correctly) from  Denmark.   It was really nice to meet you and share a drink together,  Hope to see you again in the future,  

Irene & Gordon

We have had an email from our lawyer stating that we can order a remote control for the garage at a cost of 50 euros.   I wondered if anyone else has had the same information.   Do we need to have a remote control to open the garage or will we be able to open it by putting the key in the pillar at the side of the garage?

Thanks

During completion I have asked for the remote control and they told me that I would get it but it had to be tested first.

Now I read that they ask 50 euro for it!!

Well it seems that Mr Don Juan is clever enough to squeeze the wallets of his neigbours.

In my opinion it comes with the purchase of the appartment just like the keys, in fact it is an electronic Key.

I think we have to stand together on this one and demand the delivery of our last key without paying 50 Euro's

228 apparment 50 euro very clever!!

Hi all

On a completely different topic, The UK government is proposing to change the Capital gains percentage from 40% to 18%. This will fall in line with the Spanish Capital gains tax bracket, so you wont have another 22% tax to pay when you bring the money back into the UK. I know one or two of you have second apartments that you are looking to sell, so it may well be worth while holding out until it is officially made law. How long this will take who knows. Can someone correct me if I am wrong.

Good luck

Westport

Hi Westport

Glad to see you back

Did you get my pm

Hi Mozza

Been very very busy. I have sent a pm to you.

Westport

Just want to warn any of you that hire a car when you come to Spain. DO NOT use a car company called Centauro, they have a desk at Malaga Airport. Its the first and last time that I will use them. They have stitched me up for something that was damaged before I even picked up the car, and have taken €150 off my credit card, and refuse to refund it. This is even are they signed an "ok" on my rental document when we returned the car. They have reallly picked on the wrong person on this occasion. I will make sure that I put out as much bad publicity about this crowd, and make sure I do far more than just € 150 damage to their company. I have alway used Aurigo Crown, and never had this problem, but on this occasion the agency suggested Centauro.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. NEVER USE THEM. PASS THIS ON TO ANY FRIENDS OR RELATIVES THAT YOU HAVE THAT HIRE A CAR IN SPAIN.

Westport

We used Auriga Crown in September booked via Holiday Autos. Lots of extras at the check in desk ( CDW etc that we don't really understand and don't like to refuse - just in case). But worst of all they now operate a take full bring back empty petrol tank policy.  They refused to give any credit back for the unused fuel despite us and others complaining.  I asked both Hertz and Europcar if they operated the same policy and they said they didn't.

Has anyone got / used the Insurance4care hire policy that you can purchase for about £45 that is supposed to cover all the excesses that the car hire companies sting you for at the desk?

I usually book cars through car trawler (EOS now has a link to them) the problem with them is that you don't know who the car is from until you are through the booking process. We got a Centauro car last time. I managed to leave it back on the warning light as we were out for almost 3 weeks. Next time we're booked with a company called SIXT - which is located off airport! but hopefully not to far away. at 205€ for 18 days in a 5 door Fiesta sized car I think it is cheap and I always just decline all the extras.

I read on the main boards that if return a car full to these companies they will credit you. Also it is a legal requirement to carry hi vis vests for all passengers and a warning triangle. These are available on request for a refundable deposit but you have to request them

Hi Davmunster,

Sixt have a courtesy bus that picks you up at the head of the taxi rank outside the terminal and runs you to their premises which are only about half a mile away - 5 mins on the bus and the buses run every 10 - 15 mins.

Last month we used Helle Hollis who are next door to Sixt and use the same transfer system.

Helle Hollis give you a full tank on collection and on returning the car will credit you in increments of every unused quarter of a tank.

With regard to Centauro I must speak as I find and we hired from them back in March with no problems exept no refund unless the car goes back with a full tank.

Regards,

James