Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hello there, I have just found this discussion forum. We bought a studio in Florimont which was completed in autumn 2008. We started negotiations for rental contract but it was like talking to a brick wall, and even our solicitor was exasperated. In the end we decided not to rent it out at all while we decided what to do.

We stayed there for a week in February 2009 and had a great time - the skiing was great and it wasnt that busy. The hotel was warm and comfortable and Kaloyan was always around to shake our hand but not to answer any questions.

We did think about looking for a local keyholder who could handle private rental for us but there are no locks - it is all key cards like a hotel - it is clear that the company will make it almost impossible for you to change locks and put a proper mortice lock on.

When we checked out they tried to charge us a fortune for services! I said to contact my solicitor.

Last summer we opened negotiations again for rental contract and finally signed and commenced in September 2009.

Since then we have heard nothing despite requests for occupancy details. Neither Kaloyan or Sibylia reply to any email except to ask us for services charges of 600 euro for linen and cleaning for 2009 - even though we had no rental contract - I have queried this but heard nothing.

So, we have a rental contract but no idea what is going on. We are also sure that during 2009 the apartment was rented without our permission.

Unfortunately, this seems to be the general experience with "luxury apartments" and in hindsight buying a good old fashioned apartment in a block would have been better.

We are thinking of selling but of course the market is not great and the first thing any potential buyer would want to know is the income yield - which the company do not want to reveal.

Brussels may have accepted Bulgaria into the EU but it has no idea of what is really going on - a lot of people have been screwed. However, we do have legal papers to say we are the owners - not sure if they are worth anything but at least we are not in the position of buyers of the All Seasons Holiday Complex where apartments have been double sold (as far as we know!)

Bansko is lovely and most of the people we met are very friendly but some business practices leave a lot to be desired!

I really want to get everyone together now and start putting pressure on the Florimont management. We have all been patient long enough but they are getting away with taking the piss.

I own B34 in Florimont and am a qualified solicitor. I am currently suing Florimont for 10,000 Lev for continually trespassing in my apartment. I have had to fit locks on all the internal doors and have become ever more exasperated with the management. It is clear to me that, as more and more owners lock up their apartments, Florimont will run the hotel into the ground.

I have set up a site here:

http://www.swap2ndhome.com/florimont_vip_homes_and_spa_bansko_owners_contact_details.html

So everyone can add their details and we can all work collectively. Did you know they can be sued in the UK, you do not have to use the slow Bulgarian Courts now Bulgaria is in Europe?

I am a lease holder of a property in bansko florimont vip homes and spa and have had numerous problems dealing with these people, even though I have paid all my lease payments for nearly 4 years now with zero rental return and numerous other problems I cant see any light at the end of the tunnel, am I entitled to change the locks on the apartment? I do not want to pay any more money to these people as i really do not know what they are doing with it. Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Farat Buta
apartment E03 Florimont VIP homes and spa Bansko
+44 07958137727