Defective workmanship

Had an apartment now for 4 years on Phase 1.  For the second time in 2 years water ingress has become a problem. 

What actual comeback do we have?  In the UK there's a 10 year NHBC.   Are there similar things in Spain?  It's completely obvious to me that they haven't a clue about how to build houses over there.  As soon as they weather is 'abnormal', i.e. it rains a bit,  it highlights deficiencies in construction.

I'm really, really tempted to paper over the cracks and flog the place on to some other fool.  Life's too short.  I reckon I've paid around £ 80k in mortgage payments over the last 4 years for something I rarely use, not to mention the startup (12%) fees.  Talk about suckered into the 'A place in the sun' mentality.  Imagine how many A class holidays I could have had for that sum, not to mention less stress ('housing crash in Spain', 'Euro sh4fting the pound', 'car hire rip-offs', 'cheap flights that aren't so cheap anymore').

I get the distinct impression I've been had and I suspect I'm not the only one!

Hi Oliverson,

                      Sorry to hear about your water problems,we on phase 3 ,block 1,several years ago had a major problem with flooding into the underground garage,not just water,but all of the soil as well from that part of the golf course,it was terrible,but Arenal at the time did sort it out,but it took for ever to be sorted,i know its no laughing matter,re your water problem,coupled with everything else that you mention,but would the community buildings cover/or your personnel building and content cover,not cover your problem,i hope you get things sorted.

samste

Samste

I can't imagine that any kind of insurance would cover what really is defective workmanship.  They already had a shot at repairing this a couple of years ago, and it worked (or so it seemed), but the reality is they just don't appear to know anything about proper building construction (try banging a nail into an outside wall and you'll see what I mean!).  

No, I want out, just as soon as the market lifts, though lord knows when that might be!

We are in phase 3 block 1 also and have just been over and the underground carpark flooded again just a couple of months ago and worse than last time.  Most things in our trastero are ruined - it took most of our week's holiday to sort it out and buy new clothes etc. 

I am still hopeful of a really nice complex though the new tropical gardens are looking good and the course is being brought back up slowly but surely to the standard it should be.  The hotel at the back of phase 4 has been confirmed as starting to be built soon  which will apparently bring a bar, restaurant and spa which will all make the complex really nice.  I had to go to A& E at 1.15 in the morning of the day we were due to go home and it was so quick and easy to get seen and didn't cost us a penny with our EHIC card.  Again another plus for our complex.  Don't know if I still have my rose coloured spectacles on but for one reason or another this was our worse week there in the four years we have been going and it still hasn't put us off. Arroyo, the Pueblo and the coast are really looking good now and I still think it will be a great investment in years to come.  If you were not in it for the long run then yes you will feel hard done by.

 Hi Pamela,

We're over here at the moment and while there is work ongoing at phase 5 its mainly just a site compound construction area for all the works going on at the tropical gardens.How sure are you of the hotel being started shortly not meaning to doubt you but in the present climate it does seem strange.The golf course is starting to take shape again the new grass on the greens looks great and the golf course workers are here daily doing all their various tasks.The paths on the tropical gardens are being paved at the moment and the whole area is starting to take shape.What looks like foundations have been laid for a crane beside the Xanit hospital where all the earth has been cleared.So all in some positive progress being made on the whole development.

Dave. 

Can't recall exactly where I heard it from but at the time I remember thinking it was a good source.  It might have been the Vice President of Phase 4 who had heard it at a meeting with Priensur/their management company.  Sorry I can't remember for sure but as you can imagine there are lots of sources of information floating about at the moment and it is difficult to remember what comes from where?