19 Jan 2009 4:27 PM:

Hi Sxgal,

We have a property on R4 - also bought through IAP. We exchanged in November 2007 after a lot of chasing. However when we visited in March 2008 there were very few occupied properties - what with the problems with IAP and San Jose, I can guess why!

As in the case of just about all other threads you read, we had grilles fitted on the upstairs windows / doors, but that did not prevent the property being burgled in November 2008. They prised the grille off the downstairs bedroom window

None of our snagging got completed by San Jose - we sorted most of it out ourselves. The most difficult being the lighting in the front room - basically neither switch worked. We got a local recommendation regarding an electrician who lives in Playa Golf II - he's reliable, has good rates and very helpful.

We also gave up on BridgeHolmes who managed our property until last March when we visited and found the property filthy after a 3 month let. We now have a keyholder (wife of the electrician above), and a long term tenant  which pays some of the mortgage.

As for the damp - we've experienced 3 potential sources which you may want to check out. Firstly, we got damp / mildew in the kitchen units - apparently this can be caused at installation (there is pipework in the wall behind the wall cabinets) and is 'fairly' commonplace we were told. Secondly, our boiler started leaking and filled the well in the solarium cupboard - our electrician removed it and was shocked at the state of a so-called 'brand-new' boiler. The keyholder managed to get San Jose to replace it free-of-charge - I think they were a little embarrassed, surprisingly. We also had a damp patch appear between the French windows and the wardrobe in the main bedroom - this may have been caused by the leaking boiler!

As for furniture packages etc - we furnished the villa ourselves using Conti in Almoradi (a fraction of the price of Villapac etc and much better quality and choice). They stored our purchases for over a year until we completed on the property. We bought our washing machine at Carrefour in Cartegena - which was cheaper than Torrevieja, but delivered and installed anyway (we did have to collect them from the Roca roundabout as they did not know where the urbanisation was).

Although it's been hard work (and not the service we bought into from IAP) we don't regret it, and look forward to spending an extended period out there in the next few years. Hope you enjoy your move.

Have fun!

Rebecca & Dave

Community thread: Playa Golf III, R4

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16 Mar 2008 5:34 PM:

Hi

It was great to see  both your postings on the website. However, we are confused as to which is most applicable for our soon-to-be tenants (i.e. short or long term).

We were looking for something similar to the UK AST contract where it is renewed every 6 months. Hopefully our future tenants will stay for a couple of years or so, but we both need the flexibility. Could you please advise under what circumstances each contract is us? Is it usual to review the rent, and how often?

We've recently sacked our management company, so are venturing out alone for the first time. We need to keep things simple, so any advice you can give would be most appreciated.

 

RandD

Forum thread: SHORT TERM LETS CONTRACT IN BOTH ENGLISH & SPANISH

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15 Jan 2008 9:52 AM:

Hi Norma,

It sounds like our dealings with Instant Access had similar timings to yourself - we were due to complete in Mar 06. After many letters and a lot of pressure our habitation license came through in Oct 06, and we completed in Nov.

Although we had dealings with IA Spain, we received a letter from Nicola Keeble, Director Customer Services in London in Aug 06 promising us a 'Rental Guarantee payment' for loss of rental over the summer for Euro 3000. If you have a similar letter, it is not easily forthcoming - you will have to push hard (we had to pay a visit).

If you haven't got Ms Keeble's address (if she still is in charge) is:

Instant Access Properties Ltd, 3rd floor Surrey House, 34 Eden Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1ER

Good luck

Rebecca & Dave

 

P.S  (For Claire T) When we went to visit the area in Nov 05, we were shown round by a Nueva Vida rep, whose details were given to us by IA Spain. I suspect there is a link!!

This message was last edited by RandD on 1/15/2008.
Community thread: Arenal Golf

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13 Jan 2008 12:00 AM:

We completed in Nov 06 (on an Instant Access property), and stayed in the property over the next few days. As requested by the developer we completed a snagging list within the 10 day timescale. To date we have had no success in getting any of it fixed.

The light in the lounge does not work, and there are faulty sensors on the sun terrace and balcony - these being the worst faults. Does anyone know how the music system / speakers work??

However when we visited in March 07 there was mildew in the kitchen cupboards and on the ceiling. We were told that this is a common fault in the Azucena villa as the builders as there is a pipe behind the kitchen wall which is often punctured when the kitchen units are installed. Again we have had no success in our complaints.

We should be interested in hearing from other owners on R4 on what help they have had in getting these issues resolved - San Jose does not seem interested and neither Manuel at Palma Consulting nor Bridgeholmes has managed to get them to act.

Rebecca & Dave

Community thread: Spanish Courts

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07 Oct 2006 1:33 PM:

We're really pleased to find this message board. It's great to hear about people who are a little further down the completion road to ourselves. We are currently awaiting our completion on R4, Playa Golf III so would be particularly interested in any feedback on progress.

Thanks for the tip about the kitchen window - we had been advised to fit grilles on the top floor of our Azucena (we visited Playa Golf II last November), and are in the process of instructing our snagger to get them installed.

When we visited we were told about a planned slip-road directly onto the toll road. Does anyone know if this has happened?

R and D

Community thread: It's getting cold now

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