Does anyone know if builders in Cyprus need to follow specific building regs relating to earthquake damage? I know that mainland Greece is a fair distance from Cyprus and much more prone to earthquakes, but builders there do need to do this. We asked our solicitor to find this out for us 2 months ago but she very rarely replies to our emails!

Also, does anyone know of any good insurers who would cover earthquake damage?

Sorry for sounding so serious but knowing this info could prove to be worthwhile to all of us! If I hear anything in the meantime, I will post it on this site.

On a slightly lighter note(!) does anyone know of a good accountant/tax adviser? (Please don't suggest our solicitor!!)

Hi stwrt  I opened my bank account all from the UK, as I said Tassos did help but the bank manager emailed and sent forms by post for us to fill in. I had to go in to Barclays for them to witness my specimen signature (free of charge) all straight forward. I get bank statements in the post every month. I have a GBP account in Cyprus that I transfer money to. I have to admit that I am not sure if I have a euro account or not. So much paper work flying around!!

I think your right that our maintenance charge covers all the cleaning of common areas and maintenance of the gardens etc.

Spangle

Hi Spangle

what do you need to take with you to open an account?

The only person from Block A that i know is Big Al from here. It would be handy to know of some more people in the block so as if i know of anyone needing to rent more than 1 apartment

As far as i am aware of i think the developer deals with the cleaning of the pools and surroundings but i could be wrong.

Hi stwrt  Thanks for the info,

I have a bank account at Hellenic Bank in Paphos, I have my swiss franc mortgage with them also, Tassos helped me as we were having problems getting a mortgage without a life insurance. They seem very good, answering all my emails in less than 24 hours. I have not got a cheque books/ cash cards etc yet but will look into that when we go out there in November.

Do you have all the names/email address for everyone in your block so that you can contact them about the dish? Are we all meant to set up our own management company for each block?

Regards Spangle

I have also just paid for the water meter to be fitted. my lawyer phoned yesterday to update me that they are now in posession of the keys now.

Has anyone opened a bank account yet ?

I spoke with the site manager when i was last out and he sudjested everyone in block A chips in for a dish as he said if 2 property owners go halfs all the rest of the owners in block A can then wire up their own tv to the dish at a later date at the expense of the 2 that paid for the dish.

Yes my apartment will be getting rented out but i am not sure yet as to who will be dealing with it.

Hi stwrt  forgotton about the TV, there was sometalk that each block installs their own dish on the roof ?? are you saying that each apartment gets their own dish? Is this straight forward and do you get a good reception?

Are you renting your apartment out ?

I expect some good pictures from you and earlybird when you return in october....

Spangle

Hi there Early bird i am also out in Paphos in the end of October for a week and possibly in the next couple of weeks to pick up the keys. I havent taken possession personaly yet but my lawyer should have the keys.

Is there anyone in block A getting satalite tv installed ?

Good to hear from you Spangle. The message board had gone a bit quiet. We are out there end of October although our apt wont be ready till Christmas. Has anyone actually taken possession yet. If so are there any surprises or things we should look out for.

Best wishes to all hope to hear from you soon

Hi All

Just posted some new pictures received from Top Properties today - taken yesterday. Just booked our flights with easyjet to paphos at the end of november. We are staying for about 4/5 days to get a feel for the area and sort out some furniture......hope our apartment is finished by then!

Thanks earlybird for the pictures I like to see what progress has been made. I spotted my apartment in Block G.

I saw on BuySell Cyprus web that someone is selling two 2 bed apartments in the complex all nicely furnished. .............

Spangle

Hi Spangle & everyone - hope you like the latest photos. I tried to give you an idea of what's going on outside of the apartment blocks too.

The photo with all the steel bars on the ground shows the green area, hopefully it will look alot different when it's finished. Just to be clear I've asked my lawyer to find out who will own it when it's finished, who will maintain it & who will have access to it. If anyone knows already can they say.

Regarding flights, I've only made a couple of trips to paphos, but have used BA, Thompson & First Choice for either the outbound or inbound trips depending on who was best price.

Regarding renting the apartment I will probably just offer it to friends & family.

Regards to all

earlybird

Thanks earlybird for the update. Any pictures?

Not sure why we should pay for the water meters as I would of thought they would of been standard and included in the price.

Does anybody know anything about each block setting up their own management group? not sure where I read or was told this. They would discuss things like satelite TV dishes for their block and ........not sure what else maybe repairs and maintenance of their block???

Earlybird who do you fly with? Flights seem to be quite expensive. I'm waiting for easyjet to release the flights for november and then maybe pop out then if my apartment is finished so I can clean and look at furniture. I opted for MRI furniture pack in Bansko so would like to choose my own this time. Are you going to rent yours out with MRI?

Regards Spangle

Hello everyone, just returned from Artemis a couple of days ago - all the completed work is looking really good quality, but there's still plenty to do. Only just started shuttering the 1st floor of block I. I didn't see any other owners over the few days  we were out there so I'm not sure if anyone has actually taken possession yet?

Met with the developers & again we very impressed with them - asked about water meter charges & they said it would be 125 euros which sounds reasonable.

By the way we saw there is another mini supermarket built opposite the one we already knew about (a couple of mins away) so it looks like ther will be more choice for us once we are in. It looked to have pretty good quality stuff.

Need to sort out some furnishings next - we could go down the standard furniture pack route, either MRI or developer, but if anyone knows of other good suppliers can you let us know.

earlybird

Water meters are going to be fitted but i am not aware that thier will be a charge

Big Al

Hi All, just wondered if anyone knew if we are going to be charged for a water meter to be installed at each apartment - only asked because a friend of mine is just about to take possession of an apartment in Emba village and he's being charged a few hundred euros.

Earlybird

Hi all as big Al says it is still a building site. i have some photos and as soon as i get a min i will upload them.

Big Al is your apartment in block A or has anyone bought and going to be renting their apartment out as this will be handing to know for everyone i suppose as i know of a few people wanting to go over but will need more than 1 apartment

I did notice someone in Block A was getting their apartment fitted up with blinds? anyone here?

I had a chat with the site agent and he said that block A would be complete including the pool and the area surrounding the block all they were waiting for was the water main to be laid then they would start the road

i was round at the site on tuesday at dinnertime and they had started shuttering the foundation of the last block i take it that would be block I

Hi Stwit,

Thankyou in advance  for obtaining some contact No.s for the buildings insurance, hope all goes well out in Paphos.

Pat 

Hi all, have just arrived back from artimis and the development is still very much a building site. block i has not even been started yet. they are waiting to get connected to the main water supply and it  seems this is the reason why the roadway around the side of the development  cannot comence and and the first pool and paved areas cannot be finnished. the green area has not been started yet and looks a long way off. the area where the green houses were has all been cleared and looks like it is ready for another development. all this said i think when this is all up and running it will be a very nice development

regards Big Al

Hi Stwrt, hope you have a great time in paphos & find the development is looking better than ever. If you get time would you mind taking some pictures of the garden area - I don't know if this is being started yet, but it would be great if it has and is starting to look good. My apartment is in the last block (block I) so I think it is only just being built now, if you can get a picture of that too so much the better.

Have a great time & look forward to hearing about it when you get back.

Thanks Earlybird

Hi All

I am new to the forum.

Could anyone tell me how far block F is?

Thanks Merrymaker

Hi Patrick.I am heading out to Cyprus this coming Tuesday. I will see about getting some phone numbers for insurance when i go out there as i will need to get insurance myself

Hi everyone

Can anyone give us some contacts for Buildings Insurance Company's for insuring my apartment please.

Many thanks.

Thanks for the offer maintenance man may take you up on that later.

With a name like yours I presume your work in Cuprus is to carry out a service that helps Brits that have property but don't live out in Cyprus? You may be a useful man to know, what jobs can you help us with?

Regards Spangle

Hi People my name is Paul

I live on the Sirena Olympia complex, not very far from where you have bought your apartments.

If anyone wants any photo's taken or needs an update on how your apartments are getting on, then just send me an email and I will pop over there for you.

I met a couple who were told that they could have the keys to the apartment they bought. They booked the flights and when they got over here they found that the kitchen was not installed. So it was a complete waste of time and money.

This service is completely free, no charge whats so ever.

Kind Regards

Paul

Hi everyone, just got some more photos sent through from Top Properties - they were only taken yesterday (7th Feb) so thought you'd want to see them.

Everything looks pretty good. I'm in block I so mine hasn't even been started yet!

Does anyone know whether the garden area is underway?

rgs

earlybird

Hi Spangle, yes i am very pleased with the internal finnish, will be going back in april to buy the furniture. The builder told me that we would not have to pay maintenance until the common areas are finished, it looks like that is a long way from now. The land outside my balcony looks like it is being cleared ready for some kind of development, i new this would happen but just hope they dont build to high otherwise the small sea view i have may vanish

Regards Big Al

Hi big al

Just seen the washing machine in one of the pictures, I should look before I speak! Do you know what may be planned for the land outside your balcony?

Spangle

Hi Big al

Great pictures, I like the kitchen it looks great from the pictures, is it a good finish? Do you have a washing machine? When do you have to start paying the maintenance?You must be one of the first to take ownership. congratulations!

Spangle

Hi Spangle, the water and electric are all conected but there will be no separate meters for the apartments untll about march. I am still looking for the best furniture shop to buy  from. I quite like the store called Steptoes, they used to deal in second hand furniture but in the last 3 years are now selling new, i was told the web site will be up and running in march

Big Al

Hi big al 79

Sounds good, have you got electricity and water. How are you going to furnish it?

Looking forward to the photos.

Regards

Spangle

Hi all,

I have arrived back from Pathos and all was looking good.My apartment in block A is complete and i am impressed with the overall finish.The aircon units can be used to heat the apartment as well as cooling it which i was unaware of. The kichen and the bathrooms look great,and i was happy to see that they have included mirrors, towel holders, toilet roll holders, and a glass shelf in both bathrooms. They have also started construction on 2 of the pools. There are no lifts installed at the moment and the site is still very much like a building site.I will upload some photos as soon as possible

Big Al

Hi to you all and a happy new year

My apartment is also in block A and was ready for handover on the 20th December, i am going out to Pathos on monday 13th January to do my inspection and pay my final instalment, lets hope i dont find to much to snag. strange Stwrt that your apartment is so far behind mine from completion as we are in the same block, what floor are you on?

I will report back on my return and hopefully have good news to tell with loads of pictures

regards Big Al

Hi everyone, hope you all had a great Xmas & are looking forward to a happy 2008 at Artermis Cynthia!

Has anyone taken delivery of their apartment yet? Hope it's as good as you expected. 

Best wishes to you all, Earlybird

Hi All,

Can anyone recomend a good Buildings Insurance Company for the Artemis Complex please.

Hi all,

when i  was in Pathos in August i was taken to a furniture store buy top properties. I found the price of all the furniture to be very steep but it seemed to be of very high standard. their are about 25 furniture stores along the Polis road, it is about a 15 minute ride in a car from the comlpex. i would think that everyone should find what they are looking for their.

Big Al

that didn't............ work try this...........

http://www.ikea.com.cy/content/index.asp?language=0

Found it.......

http://ikeaeu.ecweb.is/08/mcy/

Try this link

http://www.ikea.com.cy/stores/?store=2&language=0

It is in Nicosia, opened in September. There was a good on-line catalogue but it doesn't seem to be there at the moment, maybe be because of the euro change over.

Do MRI do furniture packs for Cyprus? Does Top Properties do Furniture packs?? I was looking forward to furnishing it myself, an Ikea has opened in Cyprus which may be worth a look.

I used MRI to furnish my studios in Bansko, paid over the top for the packs over a year ago and the studios won't be ready for another 4/5 months, not sure if that was the right move but as I have just signed up with MRIV&A it may work in my favour!!! only time will tell. 

My apartment in Artemis won't be ready for another year so I will wait and see what others do!

Hello there

I was also contacted to let me know about the completion but i was told  first about a month it would be December. So i questioned it and now they are saying then end of April