Welcome everyone, I am pleased and surprised to inform you that 2019 is my 10 year Anniversary as your President !! I was Vice President for 4 years before, 14 years serving you and our community.
Working closely with OCSI, delegating to Committee Members the areas where they live, we all deal with any problems that occur on your behalf.
The past year has been very hectic, we had to call an EGM in January to discuss and vote on the repairs to the two pools and build the Pump Houses to enclose new pumps, filters and the Chlorine chemical pH system.
Thank you to Mike and Alan, who check the accounts every month, this saves a lot of time at our AGM’s, thanks also to Steff, Vice President, Rita, Eric and Peter and thank you to the Committee Members who do not live full time but support me and lastly to Javier, Susana, Helene, David and Abel.
Sadly we lost a Committee Member just before Christmas, Pat Derry, she lived here full time at 426 overlooking the pools, she is missed, not forgotten. John her partner has agreed to stand in for her on the Committee, I know he will be a great asset to our team, he watches over us all the time from his terrace.. Thank you John. Stan Lovell sold and moved back to the UK, but, obviously misses us so much he returned for a month… to keep a watchful eye on us all I’m sure. We have 3 more people wishing to join the Committee, Neil (439) Henry Clarke (408) and Magnus (404), we welcome them to our dedicated team.
Last October we terminated our contract with David of Bonsai Contractors, who due to their negligence caused a lot of damage to our pools and gardens. It took a while to organise new gardeners who were highly recommended to keep our Community looking lovely, they are good.
Sadly we had problems with the first pool company, they were replaced recently with Mantenimientos Alvarez, who were highly recommended by a neighbouring President.
ACCESS GATES: A guest speaker from Easy Gate Security, will talk at the AGM about changing our access system, both pedestrians and vehicles. They offer a maintenance contract to maintain the gates.
The Committee agreed that this proposal would be good for the protection and safety of everyone. A metal hinged post has been installed opposite the underground garage entrance to STOP vehicles and skips parking across the dropped curb. There is a new sign stating NO Parking Emergency & Service vehicles only.
4 years ago we discussed the pedestrian gates be replaced with a more secure system, many owners are anxious we go ahead, to protect our properties and personal belongings, too many gates are left open. Some Owners had possessions stolen from terraces and gardens and a bike that was padlocked to the bike rack was stolen when it was sited behind the mail boxes, now it is sited in the garden of the top apartment block, hidden from view of the gates… so far the bike rack is being securely used…
We have been asked if it is possibly to widen the entrance to the underground parking.
TV HORADADA internet service provides Montilla IV with fibre optic cable internet service ie:
TV, mobile phones and land lines.
We write to inform you that anyone wanting Wifi – Internet, TV and Landlines to contact the President by email to: bondnorah@gmail.com, who will suggest to use TV HORADADA as their fibre optic cables are already installed.
This information is for all existing Owners and new Owners. We are concerned that new Owners who naturally want internet services may not be aware that Fibre Optic cables are installed on the urbanisation.
We have a Communications room on site and 21 junction boxes dotted around the urbanisation.
We have been advised to take this action as there are rival companies causing sabotage to our existing service cables, they are being cut, not just once but several times, this has been ongoing for months. At first it happened to properties facing the roads, now internal properties are experiencing the loss of phones, land lines and mobiles, TV and internet.
The TV Horadada Technicians are aware and do respond quickly to reconnect the cables… but, the rivalry between these companies will only stop if we are vigilant and report every incident to TV Horadada, who should insist an investigation be organised and the Police be involved.
I say this as I am very concerned that several people who live alone, are vulnerable, they need a phone to call for help should they need to and TV for company, that is their human right, they are being victimised, for what GREED! Whoever or whatever company is responsible for cutting the cables, damaging our property must be dealt with legally. TRESPASSING & SABOTAGE are serious criminal offences.
This leads me to say we need someone to be responsible for our security and protection, a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, I am hoping one of the new Committee Members will agree to be responsible ?
For years we have discussed Security cameras be installed on site and the need for a more secure access system, we proposed dummy cameras last year, in my opinion we need to have real cameras installed.
A Defibrillator can be installed in a prominent position for easy access of use to assist in saving lives for the protection of everyone. I propose the site be the wall by the lift in the top block of apartments, central to the urbanisation and in view of everyone passing. We will need volunteers to be trained how to use the Defibrillator, please let me know if you are interested.
As your President I not only am responsible for the Community administration, I also represent you at local Government level.
RENTAL ACT – RENTAL PROPERTIES. I have been advised that a new regulation / law IS in force.
Information about the new regulation regarding decisions that the communities of neighbours can take in respect of Holiday rentals.
UPDATED 05/03/19. The new Decree Law has been re-approved and is now in effect. Here is what you need to know if you are a holiday rental owner.
The new law 7/2019 stipulates that holiday rental properties that are located within a community must have the approval of three-fifths of homeowners to be permitted to rent out their property for short term holiday lets.
Approval by the Community of Owners is by a majority which means that three-fifths (60%) of the total of the Owners (who in turn, represent three-fifths of the participation quotes) must vote in favour of tourist activity. The Community of Owners also has the power to set limitations or conditions on the exercise of tourist activity such as obligating Owners of holiday rental properties to make additional payments to the community or increased community fees (not exceeding 20%).
IMPORTANT: These changes do not affect the tourist homes that already have their holiday rental licence, that is, it is not retroactive. (428 is registered with the authorities, therefore they have a licence/certificate).
For more information go to website: www.turisme.gva.es under the tab “Viviendas Turisticas”(Spanish only).
This law came into force last year, check with the Town Hall for advice how to register your property.
If 60% agree that they do NOT want holiday rentals allowed on our urbanisation, then NO Owner can let their property to holiday makers with the exception of existing licenced holiday rental properties. I am sure this new law is only to protect Owners and will be clarified and enforced if the majority of Owners want to protect their investment. The Hacienda (Tax Office) will be involved wanting taxes due no doubt.
Note the Town Hall in Orihuela Costa is NOT where decisions are made it is an administration office, a satellite branch of the Government Town Hall in Orihuela 38 kilometres distant.
BUILDING WORKS:
Extensions to terraces and additional rooms: Permission must be granted by the Community of Owners ideally before obtaining a Licence from the Town Hall which is usually approx. 4% of the building costs.
Any Owner wishing to carry out any major or minor building works, ie tiling gardens, walls, balustrades etc. Refurbishment of internal works.. ie kitchens & bathrooms to inform OCSI or President before commencement of works. So seek permission to hire a Skip to be sited internally and NOT carry out such building works that affect the community during Sundays, Bank Holidays and from 15th June, all July, & August to 15th September inclusive.
Extensions to terraces classed as major works, have been opposed by the Community 3 times in the past, therefore any Owner current or future will need to discuss their intention to extend their terrace with the Administration and President who will happily explain the reason why the Community of Owners oppose terrace extensions, they are concerned about the invasion of their privacy.
The two terrace extensions that were built without permission from the Community of Owners, those Owners are fully aware that should there be complaints, they may have legal action taken against them to remove their extension.
The garden improvements are in progress. It was suggested Spanish grass to cover the concrete areas, new plants, landscaped areas surrounding the pump houses and new paths to the showers.
The round tree by the bottom pool may have to be removed due to the roots causing damage to the pools.
Swimming Pool Regulations: Do you want to employ a Pool Guard?
Last year the rules and regulations were ignored. Many people felt intimidated by the lack of respect shown by those who did as they pleased, IGNORING THE SPANISH LAW WHICH IS DISPLAYED ON THE NOTICE BOARD BETWEEN THE TWO POOLS.
NOTE: THE FOLLOWING ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED:- NO LILOS IN BABY POOLS, BALLS, BALL GAMES, INFLATABLES, BOARDS, TYRE TYPE RINGS, RUNNING & JUMPING INTO POOLS – ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE TOP POOL.
AS A COMPROMISE: FAMILY FUN CAN BE ENJOYED IN THE BOTTOM POOL, BUT BE WARNED, THE COMMUNITY DOES NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR ANY ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS INCIDENT. OUR INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER ANYONE NOT COMPLYING WITH THE SPANISH REGULATIONS.
NO GLASS, BOTTLES OR CHINAWARE PERMITTED IN THE POOL GARDEN AREA AT ANY TIME.
CHILDREN UNDER 8 YEARS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT AT ALL TIMES.
NO DOGS. ANY RUBBISH NOT TO BE LEFT BEHIND IN THE POOLS AREA.
Respect each other and our urbanisation, thank you.
Norah Bond
President – Montilla IV.