BANK CHARGES FOR PAYING UTILITIES

We are completing on my 2 bed aptmt in Playa Golf II in days and plan to go out there for a flying visit at the end of the month. This message board has been just fantastic so thanks to all of you but could anyone help me with the following questions? 1. Firstly and most important I gather is SECURITY, replace the grills and install locks and bolts everywhere - what is everyones view on going the whole hog and putting an alarm in and what about a safe too? 2. We have bought through Instant Access (suckers!), am I right in understanding the kitchen has nothing but the cupboards in??? Is there the neccessary fittings for a washing machine and dishwasher or do we need to get a plumber in? 3. White goods - is there somewhere good to get everything? 4. What are the Spanish electrics like? will we be able to put the light fittings up ourselves or would it be dangerous? 5. Regarding furniture packages - the Villapac one is really expensive but is it worth it? I was planning to use the www.costablancapropertyservices.net furniture package - has anyone already done that and is it nice stuff? 6. Has anyone put in the Sky package? how much notice do they need to fit the dish? 7. Is there a street map available of the local area? I have the orange regional map but it isn't going to be much help when we are hunting for Carrefour bearing in mind we have less than 3 days to sort things out before we return to the rat race. I would really appreciate your views and promise to take some good pictures and post them when we get back. A drink in alfies might also be forthcoming if anyone else is out there - time permitting. Fi xx

Hi Ladybiker,

To answer your questions; don’t go crazy and spend unnecessarily. 1. If you’re on the ground floor you will need grills. The builders should have installed them, take a look at the quality and see if you think there sturdy. Change your locks, that’s a must. If your flat is a new build by builder San Jose, they supplied our property with an alarm, at a small fee for the first nine months.

If the flat is a new build then expect nothing to be installed. No light fittings, no white goods, no cooker. There will be plumbing for the washing machine and cables for you to install all the necessary items, most of the big shops will install these items for you.

One thing I would say to you is; try to get as much organised from the UK as possible as your time out there will fly. It took us a good week to get things organised, delivered and installed. Good luck.

Sping..

 

Hi there - I completed in November and did a flying visit in December to "move in".  It was a hectic 3 days and that was with a full furniture package already installed!!  I have 2 bed quad villa so a flat might be a bit easier but be prepared for some hard work!!

As Sping said, there will probably be an alarm already installed - you need to contact the company as soon as you arrive so they can activate it while you are still there.  Louis from the alarm company will advise you about the grilles - he recommended that I change most of my ground floor ones as they come off really easily.

You don't say if you are going to rent the flat out or not - I'm renting mine and am using Citrus-Iberia.com to handle everything - they are organising my Sky package and it might be worth a look at their furniture pack too, I'm not sure how competitive they are but I really liked the local reps and they have emailed me regularly to let me know that the house is OK.

I would strongly recommend that you get the furniture and lights and white goods in before you go - a few days will not do it!!!

I didn't find a local map but we cheated and used our GPS system!  There are lots of supermarkets nearby - there is a small one on site and there is a huge Carrefour on the main road into Torrevieja which you can't miss - you need to go past it and turn around at the next roundabout to get in. 

We went to Ikea in Murcia for lots of stuff but it was quite hard to find - I'd suggest dowloading the directions from their website before you go if you want to visit - takes about an hour from Playa Golf.  Also got my TV & DVD from Alcampo next to Ikea and I think I got a pretty good deal.

I am really delighted with my villa and hope you are happy with your flat.  I've got lots of photos to download so will try to do them tonight so you can have a look before you go out.

Enjoy!!

Claire

New photos now uploaded - hope you like them!

Claire