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British expats in Oliva

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:19pm
36 replies1458 views11 members subscribed
andrew c

Posts: 12

3 helpful points

Location: Oliva

Joined: 14 Jul 2022

Hello all this is my first post. I have a number of questions i was hopping you all could help me with.

Myself and my partner have decided to by a house on the costa Blanca. We will be using it as a holiday home to start 1 to 2 months of the year to get away from the British winter. A number of years later we would like to retire to our holiday home. 

My first question is Are there many British expats living in Oliva. We don't want to be over run with Expats but a few would be nice. We want to embrace the Spanish culture and also learn the language as well.

Second question would be recommendations for  agents and lawyers.

Third question is. Are there any yearly taxes that must be paid (similar to the British council tax) I know about the buying process and fees i have started to do my research on this.

Many Thanks in Advance 

Andrew and Karen :)

Stephanie86

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 1:39pm

Stephanie86

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2748

2062 helpful points

Location: Lliber

Joined: 4 May 2017

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 1:39pm

I live inland approx 30 mins drive from Oliva. There are British expat populations in every village and town in the Costa Blanca, although not quite so many in the Northern part, which obviously includes Oliva. There are expat organisations for every area, mostly with a presence on FB, a little obvious research will help you.

Without wishing to interfere, I would presume that you are aware just how cold it can be in the Spanish winter in one’s house, the buildings are not constructed to cope with this. You will most definitely need some kind of heating, and remember to bring sweaters and coats! Whilst it can be lovely during some hours of the day, cold is an issue, we only switched off our heating at the end of April. We are admittedly out in the campo, but we have underfloor heating supplemented with a pellet burner which we most definitely need.

I am not familiar with any property professionals there, but would suggest that in the first instance you do some research on Kyero, an enormous Spanish property portal, which can be parsed down fairly precisely to your requirements. You will find the same property listed with multiple agents, as exclusivity isn’t common here. We simply found an area we liked and chose a Spanish agent at random, who could not have been more helpful. But the usual advice is not to use any lawyer or other type of agent associated with your chosen estate agent, as you need someone totally independent from them. Also be aware that what we know as ‘searches’ are not necessarily undertaken by lawyers here, it is frequently expected that you will do this yourself via enquiries at the relevant Ajuntamiento. So ensure that you make a list of everything that you require your lawyer to undertake, Including checking the legality of the building, provision of utilities and the legal Habitación Certificate. There are still, unfortunately, many illegal buildings in the Valencia region. Our own was originally illegal but because of an immense amount of local and political pressure, ours and associated buildings were legalized some years ago, although technically outside the local Planning Controls, so are subject to several restrictions.

Yes, there are annual charges, which vary town to town and whether the land is designated as urban or rustic. These also include charges for refuse collections, and are levied normally twice a year,  but are nowhere near as costly as UK. The easiest method of dealing with it is to set up direct debits with SUMA, the quasi independent collection organisation who are contracted by most local govt authorities to handle this, your abogado/a can help. 

There will also be standing charges for electricity and water, whether or not you use them. Many people do complain about the level of these, but it’s not advisable to ask for the supplies to be disconnected for say ten months of the year as the sheer hassle of reconnection is infinitely greater than picking up the phone! The main electrical supplier, Iberdrola, have a very comprehensive website available in several languages, as is their phone service.

There will be several perfectly reputable abogados/ lawyers in Oliva and would presume that many of them may speak English as quite a few do now.The only lawyer with whom I am familiar and whom I could recommend is Raoul Bover who has offices in Javea/Xabia, is well known locally and who has a very good reputation, also perfect English.

Hope this helps, pm if you want further info.

Relyat

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 2:05pm

Relyat

Very helpful member

Posts: 896

889 helpful points

Location: Pego

Joined: 12 Jul 2018

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 2:05pm

I'd echo everything that Stephanie has said. 

There are British immigrants in Oliva and a reasonable support network from what I am told. There are several "British bars" and the international shop, run by the owner of one of the previously mentioned bars. 

Look on Facebook for Oliva Tatler group, I'm sure that they will be able to supply more details. 

This is the solicitor that I used for sale of last house, purchase of this one and a few unconnected matters and would happily employ her again, she does speak English. 

Josefa Izquierdo

962 85 42 00

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pFSCLQW3mDfosiBM8

I would recommend speaking to the local Spanish estate agents rather than the usual suspects. Try Casasycia in Oliva, Ortola, TiendadeViviendas, Ambra properties. A search on Google will reveal others. 

Herefordjack

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 7:10pm

Herefordjack

Super helpful member

Posts: 874

1088 helpful points

Location: Pego

Joined: 18 Dec 2017

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 7:10pm

Be aware there is an expat organisation called Oliva U3A with roughly 600 members, mainly British but other nationalities too, which organises regular events of all kinds - social, eductional, sporting.

See U3Aoliva.org

lynnb1988

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 2:16pm

Posts: 13

5 helpful points

Location: Oliva

Joined: 5 Mar 2022

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 2:16pm

We have just completed on the house in old town in last couple of weeks so a few things:

we bought thru 5 - if the property is with them they will ask you to also pay 1000 fee so take that into account. One thing we refused was to give the holding deposit of 5000 euros to them. We gave it to our solicitor who then sent it to theirs. They were very awkward about this, saying they would allow more viewings if we didn’t. We spoke to vendor direct and sorted it out. Check this with whatever agent you buy from so you know all your costs. Also if you can get the vendors contact details just in case. When you make an offer be clear about your conditions ie subject to survey, solicitor of own choice, solicitor to hold deposit etc. if you do it verbally follow that up by email.

In addition they tried to force us to use their solicitor - maybe they receive a commission? Again, we refused as we wanted advice independent of the estate agent. We thought given we are buying in a foreign country that was important. We used Joaquin Colomer in Oliva. He was really good. Again check the arrangement with agents etc so you know where you are.


up to now we have found some really nice ex pats around town so wouldn’t worry too much on that score.


Good luck! X

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smyler

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 7:31pm

Posts: 7

2 helpful points

Location: Gandia

Joined: 8 Jul 2022

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 7:31pm

Hello all, good evening,

My Good Lady and I will shortly move into Almisera (just got complete the purchase)

We would pleased to come and say to local ex pats particularly from Almisera.

andrew c

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:29am

andrew c

Original Poster

Posts: 12

3 helpful points

Location: Oliva

Joined: 14 Jul 2022

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:29am

Stephanie86 wrote on Fri Jul 15, 2022 1:39pm:

I live inland approx 30 mins drive from Oliva. There are British expat populations in every village and town in the Costa Blanca, although not quite so many in the Northern part, which obviously includes Oliva. There are expat organisations for every area, mostly with a presence on FB, a little o...

...bvious research will help you.

Without wishing to interfere, I would presume that you are aware just how cold it can be in the Spanish winter in one’s house, the buildings are not constructed to cope with this. You will most definitely need some kind of heating, and remember to bring sweaters and coats! Whilst it can be lovely during some hours of the day, cold is an issue, we only switched off our heating at the end of April. We are admittedly out in the campo, but we have underfloor heating supplemented with a pellet burner which we most definitely need.

I am not familiar with any property professionals there, but would suggest that in the first instance you do some research on Kyero, an enormous Spanish property portal, which can be parsed down fairly precisely to your requirements. You will find the same property listed with multiple agents, as exclusivity isn’t common here. We simply found an area we liked and chose a Spanish agent at random, who could not have been more helpful. But the usual advice is not to use any lawyer or other type of agent associated with your chosen estate agent, as you need someone totally independent from them. Also be aware that what we know as ‘searches’ are not necessarily undertaken by lawyers here, it is frequently expected that you will do this yourself via enquiries at the relevant Ajuntamiento. So ensure that you make a list of everything that you require your lawyer to undertake, Including checking the legality of the building, provision of utilities and the legal Habitación Certificate. There are still, unfortunately, many illegal buildings in the Valencia region. Our own was originally illegal but because of an immense amount of local and political pressure, ours and associated buildings were legalized some years ago, although technically outside the local Planning Controls, so are subject to several restrictions.

Yes, there are annual charges, which vary town to town and whether the land is designated as urban or rustic. These also include charges for refuse collections, and are levied normally twice a year,  but are nowhere near as costly as UK. The easiest method of dealing with it is to set up direct debits with SUMA, the quasi independent collection organisation who are contracted by most local govt authorities to handle this, your abogado/a can help. 

There will also be standing charges for electricity and water, whether or not you use them. Many people do complain about the level of these, but it’s not advisable to ask for the supplies to be disconnected for say ten months of the year as the sheer hassle of reconnection is infinitely greater than picking up the phone! The main electrical supplier, Iberdrola, have a very comprehensive website available in several languages, as is their phone service.

There will be several perfectly reputable abogados/ lawyers in Oliva and would presume that many of them may speak English as quite a few do now.The only lawyer with whom I am familiar and whom I could recommend is Raoul Bover who has offices in Javea/Xabia, is well known locally and who has a very good reputation, also perfect English.

Hope this helps, pm if you want further info.

Hi All 

Thank you for all your helpful comments and advice. We are so excited about getting a holiday home and later in life a permanent home. We have been looking at properties in various locations but we have come to an abrupt stop. While doing my research we have come across the issue of SQUATERS.

I have read a couple of forum topics on this and we are quite concerned. Is this a big of a problem as i think it is (from reading up on it) Is it due to covid situation and people not able to get to their properties or is it a systemic problem.

Thank you in advance.

Andrew and Karen   

Stephanie86

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:23am

Stephanie86

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2748

2062 helpful points

Location: Lliber

Joined: 4 May 2017

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:23am

You are right to be concerned. Whilst I cannot comment with personal knowledge, I believe that most of it happens in communities further south and may not be so much of a problem in Northern Costa Blanca. Some of it of course is because people have been unable to get to their properties, but I also think you need to be prepared to pay for a professional key holding service who can check frequently on the property. And also to ensure that any outside areas are kept neat and tidy so that the place does not look abandoned. And to build good relationships with any neighbours so that they could call the police at once on your behalf if they see anything untoward.

Don’t let this put you off, there have been several extremely unfortunate cases and one has immense sympathy for the owners in this predicament, but I don’t necessarily think it’s sufficiently bad to prevent you from making your dreams come true!

andrew c

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:56am

andrew c

Original Poster

Posts: 12

3 helpful points

Location: Oliva

Joined: 14 Jul 2022

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:56am

Stephaine86

Thanks you for your reply. We will take your advice and look into the professional key holding option. We are still looking for a property but we are now looking at gated communities. We are not sure how secure these are and we would appreciate any advice on how secure these gated communities are, and if they are worth the additional costs.

Thank you all so much.

Andrew and Karen 

Stephanie86

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 12:36pm

Stephanie86

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2748

2062 helpful points

Location: Lliber

Joined: 4 May 2017

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 12:36pm

andrew c wrote on Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:56am:

Stephaine86

Thanks you for your reply. We will take your advice and look into the professional key holding option. We are still looking for a property but we are now looking at gated communities. We are not sure how secure these are and we would appreciate any advice on how secure these gated communities are...

..., and if they are worth the additional costs.

Thank you all so much.

Andrew and Karen 

Andrew and Karen, I confess I know little about gated communities as we live 5 km from the nearest village in the campo, although there is a group of other properties in the vicinity and several individual houses scattered about.

From what I have gathered, any form of ‘community’ as such is only as good as it’s management, which I understand may be elected by the residents. The President should be answerable to all residents and nothing may be done without agreement. From what I have read, some management groups are not over zealous, but this is probably a minority. It is probably worth considering seriously as an option if you will not be here full time.

Perhaps other contributors may have more knowledge than do I as to whether the system is beneficial.

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Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Espana Dream Properties
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