06 Dec 2009 2:29 AM:

 I have well placed friends in Gibraltar who are going to provide me with contact details of what I hope is a reputable lawyer there. If this comes good it may offer access to English speaking Gibraltarian lawyers who are also fluent in Spanish and have contacts with the legal system in Spain.  If anyone is interested, please let me know.

Community thread: Aureus Update

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04 Dec 2009 3:33 AM:

 I'm not sure what way we should go forward, but I am determined not to just let my money disappear without  a final push. It would seem that we have all had the same or similar experience with Spanish lawyers. In my case I don't think my lawyer is tied up in any grand conspiracy, he is just a lazy arrogant b*****d! Unfortunately I have had a similar experience with other lawyers in Spain (my original lawyer was the man behind the whole "white whale" money laundering scheme that has caused us all to be in the position we are currently struggling with). For further details go to

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spanish-police-crack-huge-moneylaundering-racket-528340.html

I feel that I (we) should consider using a British law firm to help us deal with the Spanish lawyers. We need someone who can straight talk with them and perhaps sort the legal issues out. Lets face it, at the minute I feel that we all have opinions on what we would like to see happening, but it is like the blind leading the blind as none of us really know how to go forward. I know this would incur further costs, but at the minute I am loosing everything, If I have to spend some money to get some money back I would be prepared to do so.

As Irish Iris mentioned, I think that we were all told that in the event of any collapse of a building company involved in the project, we were covered by  bankers assurances (whatever they are worth these days). I think that it is time to get someone to give us hard facts on this and other promises made to us. I am based in Belfast so I don't know if any law firms here would have enough experience & "clout" to do this. If any of you have suggestions, please put them forward. 

I am considering contacting Steven Nolan in Belfast to see if he is interested in looking at this issue (for those who don't know him, Steven is a Belfast based journalist who works for the BBC, with a regular spot on Radio 5 live. His phone-in show asks awkward questions on current issues). Some years ago he did a local television show, a little like "A Place in the Sun", where he traveled with local people to help them find properties in Spain. If nothing else he has the kind of "enquiring" voice that I would like to hear going into the ears of some of the people I have dealt with in Spain (Ocean Estates immediately spring to mind!).

To sum up how I feel, one of the main factors that has held me back for some time is the embarrassment  of  people I know finding out that my great Spanish property project has failed. I am no longer worried about this. I want answers on why I can't get my money back and I want the people involved put on the spot. I could do with the support of those in the same situation. Lets get this moving. If you are serious about going forward with some kind of group action, please contact me. I am not going to commit myself or anyone else to spending money before we know that it is being spent wisely. I have no personal contacts or tie-ins with any legal practitioners, property firms or media organizations. I am doing this because I am sick of being messed around and I am now prepared to kick the hornets nest.

I may still loose my money, but at least I will go down shouting!  

Community thread: Aureus Update

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03 Dec 2009 2:47 AM:

It's been a while since I have posted any comments, but we have only just received the same eMail as posted by smithl on the 26 Nov 2009. If we are not all very careful at this stage, we are about to see our deposits disappear down the pan! The eMail I received is exactly the same word for word, including the bad translation in the last paragraph. Did we all receive the same eMail and was this from the same source?

It would seem to me that we are now suffering from a series of dirty tricks that will not only loose us our deposits, it could result in individuals being pursued for full payment (this is possible under the law as I understand it).

Read the comments by Irish Iris (LETS DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS) posted 26 Aug 2009. Has anyone acted on her suggestion that we all act together? Any information would be appreciated. It would seem to me that the authorities are determined to brush us aside without fair treatment. I feel that the current global financial crisis (created by the banks) is going to be used by the banks to take our money. If we do not act as a group, I think we have no chance of ever seeing our money returned.

I really worry that our own inaction is going to prove fatal.

Please respond  

Community thread: Aureus Update

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03 May 2008 12:00 AM:

We have been affected by the recent "credit crunch" and so decided to ask for our deposit back. Our lawyer has just returned an eMail which says "I have requested your money back from them. However, because the company is bankrupt, it is being run by an official metigator, he is not keen to return any money as a refund. We should be prepared for the case you will not be able to get your money back." Serious panic time for us I'm afraid. Has anyone else heard this news? Are we to believe what we are being told, or are we just dealing with another crap lawyer who might have their own agenda? Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated at this late stage

Community thread: No More Fresh Cooked School Dinners in Andalucia

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27 Aug 2007 12:00 AM:

  Finally got more photos uploaded on a different server. Along with a couple of general views these also include composite pics of the dining area, gym, parking and a strange shot of the type B apartment. Despite the weird perspective & distortion in the shot, I hope it gives you an idea of how things look.

  We were able to get some answers to our questions, I hope these clear some things up a little.

  Completion is expected in October but this depends on licenses being granted in time (major inspections of the lift systems must be passed before licenses will be granted.)

  None of the apartments  have been furnished yet. Ours had only mattresses delivered directly to our floor! Everyone is still waiting on beds, sofas, tables, chairs etc. The general feeling is that October may still be a little  optimistic (!) Bear in mind that no work will be done  in August.

  When pushed on completion dates & licenses, we were told that some projects will let owners move in before licenses have been approved. This is done entirely at the owners own risk. I have no idea how this is done and would leave it to yourselves to find out how.

  The management company has not yet been selected. Apparently the final choice must be made by us, the owners, as well as decisions on community charges etc. It looks like we still have some work to do.

  Has anyone had a valuation on their property yet? we have been told that the top price currently quoted by the developers (depending on terrace size, view etc) is around 230,000 euros. This is expected to rise after completion.

  We have also been told that the issue of long term letting & private use will not be a problem. Just be careful of Spanish law, you could be tied into a 5 year deal if you let to certain people. Check this out with your lawyer.

  Over all, we were quite impressed with the development. It has a good look & feel to it. The whole area around Aureus is experiencing a development phase. We now look forward to completion (whenever that may be) & finally get to use what we have waited on for a very long time.

Community thread: Re-location

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