Opening party

There will be an opening party for the sport facilities at Finca San Antonio Social Club this coming weekend. Keep your eyes on this blog.

Deposit in the bank

We have put 25.000 euros on a 3 months deposit, in order to get some few interests (1%), while we reach the AGM and decide about it.

Wifi connection

We can now confirm that owners are able to access the internet from the Social club room. An access point has been installed to boost the signal from the President's apartment which will enable owners to take advantage of this and surf the internet, check emails etc. from your laptop whilst inside the comfort of the club

Paying IBI (rates) from your house abroad

If you are not coming to Spain soon, and you are afraid of having to pay a surcharge for the rates, you can send an email to the foreigners department in the Town Hall, in english, asking them to provide you the amount to pay and a bank account to do the transfer. But you will have to provide the reference 53650408 + your apartment number, as it is explained earlier in this blog.

Dear Owners,


Social Club:

We are very pleased to announce that this week we commissioned the final works required in the social club for the Indoor Pool and Jacuzzi.

Through Mario`s contacts and a lot of hard work we have been able to locate the original installers of the equipment in the social club. It will take 3 working days to get the equipment running, and then we will start filling the pool. We are hoping to have the works complete by the New Year.

If you are intending to be at Finca San Antonio over the New Year period please let us know as we would like to organize a celebration for the opening.

On the downside, whilst checking on the work required to get the pool operating we discovered that a valuable piece of steam generating equipment has been stolen from the Steam Room. This will need to be replaced before the Steam Room can operate. The cost for replacing this item together with issues associated with the running costs /use of the steam room and sauna will be reported to the A.G.M
For the time being we will concentrate on the pool and jacuzzi, together with toilet and shower facilities.


The Social Meeting Room:

The room is now being used as our social room offering book sharing , cd & video hire. A TV has kindly been donated and we have Sky fitted. We are hoping to have a WiFi spot operating in the room shortly. We are now able to use the table and chairs that were bought from previous pig roast funds, and we have bought the book shelves and a table tennis table from this year`s pig roast profits.

The committee would like to thank Pauline Monnington who has taken on the responsibility to open & close the room daily, and has taken a very active role in making the room successful. Without her help this would have been very difficult.


Large Outdoor Pool:

The tile repair works and re-grouting have now been completed on the pool. As part of this work, the overflow feature, which did not function properly has been sealed. The pool side tiling and the concrete pool edge is now continuous across the former cill to the overflow. The decision to do this work and incorporate it with the other pool repair works had to be made quickly. It came about following discussions with Mijas Town Hall who advised us that the overflow had to be made to work properly or sealed from the rest of the pool, otherwise we would not receive a pool license. After investigation we were unable to establish how the overflow could be made to work as intended, therefor we had no choice but to seal the overflow. We will be looking at the possibility of reusing the waterfall area as an independent water feature in the near future.


2009 has been a very big year for our community. We had a very difficult start to the year, but we can all be very pleased that our community is now moving forward and several major problems are now behind us. We may still have legal issues to sort out but now we can and should be very positive about our future.


We would like to thank Mario and his staff for helping our community and all the efforts they have made on our behalf.


Finally we take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year


Best Wishes.

Terri Jackson President
Graham Walker Vice President
& The Committee.
--
Finca San Antonio


--

Works in Social Club

No, this is not our indoor pool yet, but please be aware that Santa Claus may bring us a present for Christmas. Don't keep your swimmming clothes too deep in the wardrobe.

MInutes EGM 26 nov 2009

The minutes have been sent by email to everybody. If you haven't got them, please send us an email to mario@mariobravo.com

GPS in your car

GPS

A couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she knew had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard. When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen. The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.

Something to consider if you have a GPS - don't put your homeaddress in it. Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would knowwhere you live if your GPS were stolen.

Santa Claus has come to town

Embargo from Social Security

When a person or a company does not pay the social security, usually they get in touch with the clients of that company, asking them not to pay the bills to the debtor, but to the social security directly. This process is called "embargo de créditos", something like "seizure of credits". The social security (and the Tax Office), know the clients of everybody because we all have to make a yearly tax declaration of our clients and suppliers about 3.000 euros per year.

Because of the above, we have known that San Antonio Property, SL owes 234.000 euros to the Social Security, and they are notifying some owners in Finca San Antonio about this. This will not make you pay anything else, it only means that, in case you owe money to San Antonio Property for any reason, you should pay this money directly to the Social Security.. So, if you get a registered letter from the Social Security, please don't panic.

Electricity and water in the club

On the left, the place where the water meter should be. On the right, a lonely watermeter feeding nothing. The first step to have a indoor pool is to have water

The social club

We have had some meetings here in the past, but not in this warming atmosphere. We have books and dvd's, games for children, tea and coffee for adults, a tv to watch football games, and a nice music equipment. Yes, we do accept donations.

In case of emergency

Guardia Civil, based in Fuengirola (Calle Mallorca)
Emergency: 062 Land Line: 952.486.228

Police (Local) in Las Lagunas
Emergency: 092 Land Line: 952.460.909

Fire Service in Camino de Coin)
Emergency: 080 Land Line: 952.586.382

Ambulance in Las Lagunas
Emergency: 061 Land Line: 952.468.653

Emergency Services Police/Fire/Ambulance 112

Architect

If you evern need to get in touch with the original architect of Finca San Antonio, his name is Juan Ramon Montoya Molina, telephone 952 580 344.

Splash has now finished the repair of the cascade, the cleaning and the replacing of gresite, and Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 (weather permitting), will do the grouting.

We do expect the inspection from the health department to arrive now that the pool is empty, so if they decide that the steps in the middle pool have to be modified, we can do it before filling up the pool.

We have asked for the inspection of both pools (45 euros each), which will hopefully take place next week. Once they approve this, we will ask the Town Hall for the license.

Clarification about rates

IBI-BASURA
After receiving some questions from different owners about the previous post of taxes, our advice is the same: you all should pay the IBI for the years in which you were the owner (according to title deeds) on 1st January. The previous years will be requested to the previous owner (the developer), and if he fails to pay, you will be then requested to pay, but without penalties and interests. We have already notified the developer (San Antonio Properties, SL) about this.

EGM NOTICE
The agenda and list of debtor for the EGM of thursday 26 november has just been sent by email to all owners in Finca San Antonio, except those of apartments 20, 41, 42, 44, 55, 58, 61 and 72. If you see them, please let them know.

Information about rates

INFORMATION ABOUT RATES TO OWNERS IN FINCA SAN ANTONIO

UPDATED 17 NOV 2009

Do we have to pay Impuesto de Bienes Inmuebles?
Yes, you do. It is the equivalent to the rates in UK.

Do we have to pay a bill for the apartment, another one for the parking and another for the storage?
No. In Finca San Antonio, those 3 properties are amalgamated in only one bill.

Since when do we have to pay?
IBI bills have been issued since 2006, this means there is one bill for 2006, another one for 2007, another one for 2008, and a final one for 2009.

How much do we have to pay?
This information is private, so can only be released to each of you individually. However, I can tell you that a big apartment has to pay 2.371,23 euros for the whole lot (4 ibi and 3 basura).

What does this figure include?
It includes the rates IBI for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and also the garbage for 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Why do we have to pay IBI since 2006?
Because the properties were officially finished in 2005.

Why then do we pay Garbage only since 2007?
Because the first occupation license was granted in 2007, so before nobody was living there officially.

Do we have to pay it all even though we only signed in 2007 or 2008?
No. The law says that the rates IBI has to be paid by whoever is the owner on the 1st of January of each year.

Do I have to pay the bills even if they are not in my name?
Yes, if they belong to the period you have to (see previous question). If you don’t pay it now, the Town Hall will check the land registry and will ask you for this money later, with fines and interests.

How do I get the bills changed in my name for the future?
Take a copy of your title deeds, and fill in a form they will give you for this purpose. No, it is not the Town Hall’s fault that the bills are still in the name of the previous owner, it is up to you to notify them.


When do I have to pay?
This is the first time, so in theory your payment has to be

• If you are notified between the 1st and the 15th of the month, you have until the 20th of the following month
• If you are notified between the 16th and the end of the month, you have until the 5th of the second month afterwards.

So, at least, you have 35 days to pay
Regarding future bills, you will have to pay between 2nd May and 20th November, there is a discount for those with direct debit, this information is published every year in a calendar.

How will I be notified?
If you live in Finca San Antonio, you may get the visit (unannounced) of someone from the Town Hall. If not, you may get a letter in your address abroad. If that letter is bounced for any reasons, you will be notified in the official bulletin.

So, in general, you all should consider yourselves notified and you all should pay before end of the year to avoid problems.

Future bills are not notified individually, it is you who has to know that the bills have to be paid every year.

Whom shall I pay to?
You have to pay to AYUNTAMIENTO DE MIJAS (Mijas Town Hall)

Where is it?
The main office in up in the hill, in the main square. There are 2 offices more, one in Las Lagunas (near McDonalds), and another one in La Cala, near the tower.

Which hours are they open?
From 9 to 14, Monday to Friday.

How do I pay?
In cash or with credit card (take passport with you)

Which reference should I give?
Your reference is 536504108 and the number of the apartment.

Do I have to pay it all in one go?
No, you can ask for terms of payment, up to one year

How do I ask for terms of payment?
You have to go yourself, with copy of passport and NIE, and copy of your income tax, and ask for a maximum of 12 months instalments. They will consider your application and let you know. If it is acceptable, they will give you a form that you have to take to your bank, so it is your bank (at your own cost), who will do the transfer every month. They charge a 5% interest.

And if I don’t have an income tax declaration because I am not resident in Spain?
Then you will have to admit that you are rich enough to have your main home abroad and this being a holiday home. You may get a shorter period then.

Can I make a direct debit for the future?
You can, and in fact you should. You can do it on the spot while paying, as long as you take the 20 digits of the Spanish bank account with you. No, your bank account does not appear in the credit card.

If I make a direct debit for the future, when will they debit my account?
The Town Hall will announce that in advance, usually it is between March and June every year.

Is this direct debit for IBI and Basura?
Yes, it is for both taxes.

Do I have to pay something else?
You have to pay road tax if you have a car registered in Spain.


Should I do something else?

Yes. Whenever you go up to Mijas, take this opportunity to register yourself in the PADRON (become empadronado), and also ask to be registered to vote for the elections in Mijas on 29th May 2009. This will make the Town Hall to receive more money from the government, and will give you the opportunity to express your opinion. Registration is free, just take copy of your title deeds, passport and NIE.

A view of Finca San Antonio (May 2009)

A nice vide about the villages of Málaga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O47WBpdbr58

EGM November 2009

An EGM has been called for thursday 26th November 2009 at 10am. The sole purpose is to aprove the amounts owed by owners in order to take them to court inmediately. We are getting in touch with all of them reminding any pending fee.

I speak english programme

"I speak English programme"

This is a program organised by Mijas Town Hall, by which foreigners residents (mainly native english) go to spanish schools of Mijas to talk to pupils in english. One of those groups goes to the school Sra Virgen de la Pena School in Las Lagunas, where there are 750 pupils with 28 nationalities. They met at the school at 10.0.a.m.on Monday and Wednesdays.

The more we participate in the community we live in Mijas, the more we can appreciate and be appreciated in the area we have chosen to invest, not only in our money, but in our time.

If you want to join this team, please get in touch with Margaret Felgate (Apt 37)

Community fees

The administrator is sending letters/emails to several owners who appear to owe money from before April 2009, according to the accounts supplied by Sagesa. The intention is to make sure everybody is aware, so we may call an EGM on November and take to court everybody who owes money, as we need the money of all of us to run the community. Please, do not disregard those communications, as it is in your own interest.

Mario Bravo

If you send us a cheque...

We recomend to pay by direct debit, this means the community sends the bill to your bank, and it gets paid as long as you have enough money. This process is completely safe for you, and also free. However, some people prefer to send a cheque from England....by post. If you do so (I like brave people), please at least follow these recomendations

* Put your name and address at the back of the envelope. Yes, even if you are sure of our address
* Cross the cheque with 2 paralel lines, so nobody can clear it in cash, it will have to be paid into a bank account.
* If you are writing a "7", please make sure it doesn't look a "1". In Spain, we cross the 7 with a "-"

Finally, there is no need to write a long letter wishing me all the best, bla, bla, but at least put a note with your apartment number.

Thank you very much.

A nice video about Finca San Antonio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i__J-TvIUjk

Just click on the link

The new roundabout

The roundabout is almost finished. Three old olive trees and a lot of white pebbles. Now we just need some light (the cables are already in), possibly to feed also the streetlights.

Mijas against the french (some 2 centuries ago)

Guess who came from Finca San Antonio to enjoy this recreation

AGM 2010

The commitee has fixed Saturday 13th March 2010 at 10am for our next Annual General Meeting, to be held in the meetings room as usual.

Inspection of the swimming pool

The technician from the Town Hall has been today to inspect our pools. The good point is that he considers unnecessary to fence the pools, and also useless if we still allow some owners to have access from their own groundfloor apartments. So, we don't have to fence the pools. We may do it only if we vote for in the next AGM.

The bad new is that there should be a proper path (tiled) to go from both pools to the toilets/changing room. The north pool only needs one meter path from the back of the nearest shower, but the path coming up from the bottom pool needs some 20 meters.

Regarding the roman steps going into the upper swimming pool, they are accepted by this inspector, but we still have to get th approval of the one that comes from the Regional Government (Junta de Andalucía). This will happen whenever we empty the pool to repair the tiles, in case we have to do any work inside

Surprise in the pig roast party

Nickie surprised us all with a perfect "belly dance". Her mobile was hard to obtained so we keep it secret, but her email is lionservices.es@gmail.com

Pig Roast

Following the tradition, the members of the community met in the garden near the big pool on Saturday 19th Sept 2009 around 7.30 pm to enjoy the PIG ROAST party, until very late. The limoncello was a good idea, but didn't last long. Thanks to Terri and Robin and to all those who helped.

New era in Finca San Antonio

As from today, the committee has decided to restablish the old blog, as a nice way to keep you all updated.