No.212
Q.: Good Morning Mr Aloizou,
I trust you are well.
Unfortunately, I once again find myself in need of your
advice, after reading the advice you gave previously, my
husband & I were somewhat clearer in our minds of our
situation,& for this we thank you, how-ever, we have
still to sell our property, although we have reduced to
below our original purchase price.
We have being paying a nominal amount to the bank
towards the mortgage to show goodwill, & also paying our
bank loan monthly amount. Up to last month I held a
credit card for emergencies (€1000 limit)which I have
always paid when necessary, how-ever, I found when I
went to pay my out-standing balance of €179 the bank has
very kindly cancelled my card & I was unable to make
payment. What in God’s name are they playing at??? Is
this legal?? No letters of information or phone calls
from them???? Is this really how banks are permitted to
do business??? It would appear that I am doing all the
contacting & getting precisely no-where!!!! I cannot
afford to take legal advice, I wish I could, if only to
give the bank the kick up the derriere they so deserve.
I am totally aware that we are in breach of our mortgage
loan agreement, & accept that it is inevitable that we
shall lose everything, but to constantly have to fight
for information is very wearing,( We can’t deal with
this, Ring this man, he’s not in today, try next week)
we are trying so hard to keep body & soul together, but
when living on €1000 per month, with expenses of €750,
before food, I don’t know what more we can give......
I am still actively looking for work, I would sell my
body, but unfortunately it is past it’s sell buy
date!!!!!!
I sound like a whining child, but Why Why Why will the
bank not contact us, talk to us, share information of
the proceedings???? It’s a fight to the death of our
home & they are Winning!!!! Oh for a lottery win so we
could tell them to put their Mortgage, Loans & Accounts
where the sun don’t shine. If what doesn’t kill us,
makes us stronger, you should see us in The worlds
strongest people on T.V in the not too distant future.
I look forward to hearing your reply.
Kindest Regards
J.H.
A.: This is very strange, but I appreciate your
sensitivity and worry. Please let me know your details
in terms of the Bank, Credit Officer etc and I will
attempt to have a “go” to help. No promises and I will
restrict myself to an initial enquiry. I hope I have
something for you before Xmas. Do not despair my
friends.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou
3/29424-td
1.12.09
No.213
Q.: Dear Mr Loizou I note from your Q&A and your other
activities that you care dearly about your
country/Cyprus and that you are trying to do something
about improving the real estate situation. Your down to
earth and conciliatory approach as well as the free
advice that you freely offer publicly are commendable
not found in Cyprus elsewhere. I am not a Greek speaker,
but my wife Maria makes a point to explain to me your
articles in the Greek press and your t.v. appearances.
Yet permit me to ask a cheeky question “why does the
Government listens to you, since you are not a member of
the Communist party, neither any other party, as far as
my information tells me”.
Harry Stockwell
A.: I only answer this letter in order to indicate that
in this country one should not be aggressive but
insistant (Maria will explain the Greek word Βαρελάτης)
in a nice way. One must not be dogmatic but patient,
since this is a “siga-siga” country. Your information is
partly correct since the Government does not listen to
me always. People in Government will listen if one plays
his cards right. This does not mean that they listen to
me for whatever I write/my opinion. I am happy that some
of my ideas are adopted and I hope they will contribute
towards a better governance in Cyprus. My many thanks to
your wife Maria for her patience.
All the best for a Happy Xmas and new year.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou
3/29433-td
2.12.09
No.214
Q.: Dear Mr Loizou
I have long admired the advice which you give in the
local Cyprus newspapers and would be pleased if you
could give me some help with a continuing problem which
I have been encountering for a number of years. I would
obviously be willing to pay for this advice.
I live in a village on the outskirts of Limassol and in
recent years the neighbouring land, which is at a much
higher level than my property, has been developed by a
private firm. I have had the misfortune to experience
nuisance in the form of excessive noise outside working
hours and dust blowing from piles of excavated soil
which have never been covered. Due to the difference in
levels and the lack of drains provided by the builder,
water flows through into my land causing staining to the
walls and erosion of the ground. Whilst building works
have now temporarily ceased there remains an area of
land adjacent to my property which has still to be
developed by the same firm and I am anticipating similar
problems to arise yet again.
I have reported the situation to the village mukhtar but
the developer has ignored any approaches and indeed I
have also consulted a solicitor to find out if there is
any legislation to cover this situation but he has not
proved to be particularly helpful. Therefore I am asking
you what particular Laws, if any, are in force that I
could call upon and quote to the appropriate Authorities
and Developer should the need arise.
Thanking you in anticipation
Yours sincerely
M. Ioannides
A.: Thank you for your encouragement Michael. You can
send a warning letter under the nuisance law and if no
action on the developer’s part, you can seek a court
order to “protect” his site, so that your home is not
affected. You can also claim damages (in the form of
lost rents etc) as well as making good your home’s
damage.
Regarding the fee, it is a Xmas present to you.
All the best.
A.P. Loizou
3/29421-td
1.12.09
No.215
Q.: I have it under good authority (from my architect)
that you were offered the job of the Commissioner for
the title deed issue, a super person to speed up the
whole process. Any truth in this? Please-please, do not
refuse the offer, we need people like you, since I am
one of those who are “suffering” from this lack of deeds
situation.
Len MacGregor
A.: Dear Len your information is incorrect. During an
open discussion, with the Minister present, I explained
to him that we need such a person and added that “I am
not looking for a job”. There are plenty of people
around who can do a far better job than myself and in
any case I have a business to run. It needs also a
younger person with a stamina to see this through. If an
appointment of this sort happens, rest assured that I
will not disappear and “my nagging” on such matters is
Cypruswide known.
Thank you however for your appreciation in me.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou
No.216
Q.: Well done Cyprus Weekly – A thank you letter to the
Editor for doing an excellent job regarding real estate.
Both A. Loizou column as well as Mr Koukounis on the
legal issues are a wealth of information.
Z. Katarine
A.: I have passed your email to the editor who must be
pleased, especially considering that these columns use
valuable advertising space. Well done I say also to this
paper.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou
3/29431-td(2.12.09)
No.217
Q.: I note your support for the Minister of the Interior
Mr Sylikiotis, but I am worried that you have not ever
criticised him. I understand the situation you are in,
in your profession, but don’t you think nobody is
perfect?
Lakis Tofos
A.: Far from it Lakis, I often criticise him on many
matters and I write to him letters giving my piece of
mind. If you want to be listened to in this country, you
must find an angle to criticise, but without
embarrassing the opposing party. This Minister is one of
the best (at least) of the last Ministers of the
Interior that hold the office. He needs encouragement to
continue his work, which on the whole and as such
publicly accepted as being “very good”. The title issue
is an enormous problem to solve and he is trying with
endless efforts.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou
No.218
Q.: We bought an apartment which the specifications
state “A” quality. What does this mean Mr Loizou?
Lella Marian
A.: Not much dear Lella. You read top quality, luxurious
apartments etc, this means nothing. Examine the
specifications that you are shown (should be) before
buying. What is luxurious in my opinion depends on the
design, layout, facilities provides and quality of
materials. To isolate only the materials will be a
mistake I am afraid.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou
3/29432-td
2.12.09
www.aloizou.com.cyy
www.aloizou.ro
www.aloizou.ru
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