Community & Urbanisation Charges (C&U) – the latest QDM C&U Standards Check-list was attached to the GSA e-mail requesting payment of the 4th Quarter C&U charges, resulting in a 7% reduction on the charges. We welcome that QDM Owners continue to provide a good response to the quarterly requests for C&U payments. Cash flow continues to be a major issue for GSA.
Since the previous Standards Survey, two main areas have been addressed – major repairs to the calçada have been completed, and all of the street lights have been repaired (this was particularly affecting the top row).
For 2014, we will continue to have a package deal, with only minor changes to the charges from 2013, “actuals” will not be made available from 2013, but significant financial management improvements will commence in 2014 with the establishment of proper “cost centres”.
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QDM Road
Parts of the road at QDM have now been repaired, at top of the hill by the top row and at bottom of the hill going into the village. Speed bumps are to be implemented (awaiting the Camara agreement), one at the top of the QDM hill before the top row (coming from PDF) and one approximately 30 metres up the hill from the bend, and warning signs will be appropriately placed.
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QDM Pool
QDMOA and GSA will address, in February 2014, the possibility of implementing fixed straw sun umbrellas at the pool, which would then be an element of the Service Standards check-list. We would welcome your thoughts on having fixed umbrellas.
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QDM Finance
Reserve Fund – Following the review of 2011 to 2013 contributions, and reminders to Owners from our Treasurer (David Curtis), we have now received additional monies into the Reserve Fund. We will continue to seek previous monies, and will send out the 2014 requests in the Spring. The Reserve Fund assumes growing importance as our domestic water pumps and pool pumps age. For those of you who made your 2013 (and previous years) contribution – thank you.
House Accounts and On-line Access – Online access to your House Account is possible through the web site www.saresorts-owners.com and then entering your Username and Password. When you click on “My Account” it will come up with “Cannot display the page” or “Fatal Error”. If you then refresh the page (F5) the House Account is then accessible. GSA will be improving the interface.
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Water Heater Advice
If your domestic hot water heater/storage tank has not been serviced in the past few years you might like to consider this advice.
In the early years they were supplied with bore-hole water which will have caused calcium scale to accumulate. Internal corrosion is unavoidable, and technology to counteract this (e.g. cathodic protection) has only a limited life-span. Most of the tanks at QDM have given reliable service for over ten years. However there have been a few cases in recent months of internal corrosion leading to water leaks, and ultimately electrical failure of the control system etc., necessitating urgent repair.
A full service of the tank, including replacement of corroded parts, will extend the life of the tank and ensure that it does not fail at the worst possible time. This can be arranged through your property manager and should not cost more than €100 to €200 depending on parts and how the tank is mounted.
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Once again, on behalf of all of the Committee, we wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year; and thank you for your continued support.
David Murphy
Chairman, Executive Committee