Since taking over the voluntary role of chairman of the K3OG Committee over ten years ago, I and other Committee members, have often had to deal with threats and abuse by some residents (both owners and tenants) who appear to be under the impression that I am a “servant” whose job is to comply with their instructions. Getting things done can only be achieved if funds are available to pay contractors to get things done. Here is a typical example of an email from an owner who is failing to pay their communal charges and giving the usual excuses for not doing so.
RESPONSE TO DEFAULTING OWNER
Regarding the payment of common expenses for the above project please be informed that I will pay by the end of next week:
The share of the commons that belong to me and are judged as fair and reasonable.
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
Cyprus Law requires that each owner shall pay their communal charges based upon the physical size of their property in square metres. That is precisely how we calculate the fees due from each owner and precisely what each is required to pay.[/color]
As I have told you again, there are no maintenances in building 1
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
Not true – we have repaired roofs and redecorated interior stairs to the eastern side of Block 1 on a number of occasions. We are about to repeat repairs to that staircase within the near future. We have not undertaken similar repairs to the western side of Block 1 [your side] as owners in your part [including you] are not paying their communal charges. We see no reason why other owners should be asked to pay to repair “your” side when you have failed to honour your 2019 promises to make regular payments.
in fact there are many problems that have had to be solved but have not been done; I am thinking in particular: broken sockets,
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
We have not received any report of any broken sockets. Please provide details.
a broken entrance door,
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
I presume you are referring to the electric locks on the main entrance door. We are in the process of changing the locks to all seven entrance doors – please refer to the notes posted on the owners section of our website.
dampness on the communal staircase,
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
This problem is due largely to the failure of Aristo Developers to install a suitable damproofing system to that part of the staircase wall that is effectively “underground” on its outer side. We are addressing this problem to the eastern staircase. When you pay up we will address the matter in your staircase.
water inflow from communal staircase windows
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
We have not received any previous report of damp penetration from windows. We will try to investigate, but this should have been reported at the time that it was occurring? Trying to find the source of the problem during dry weather could be a problem.
and cleaning of a common staircase.
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
The cleaning of apartment staircases was suspended more than two years ago due to the failure of owners to pay their communal charges. We were therefore forced to cut costs to meet the funds that we had available. We are reviewing the possibility of reintroducing cleaning of the staircases subject to owners providing us with sufficient funds.
The problems are there and can be seen by anyone with their own eyes.
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
We are aware of this. Paying to resolve these problems requires money. That is the issue.
It is not fair, nor legal, to be required to pay for services that are not offered to me.
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
Communal charges are meant to cover the maintenance and operation of communal areas and include the use of private roads and parking; lighting to roads and staircases, cleaning of underground drainage, swimming pool operation, communal gardens, insurance of the common areas and management charges. All of these services are legally and properly provided to you. The only services that we are currently restricted in offering are repairs to common areas that require funds over and above normal operating costs. If every owner paid promptly we would have in excess of 30’000 available. As things currently stand we have only 4’000 available, and will therefore prioritise only the most urgent repairs.
All my legal rights reserved,
CHAIRMAN’S REPLY:-
Perhaps you would also be kind enough to accept your legal obligation to pay your fair share.