Sania Plage is an apartment complex in Mediterranean Morocco close to Marina Smir in Tamouda Bay..
This blog is for apartment owners to inform and help each other.......
Choose a blog post category below and click on comments to read comments and to add your comment...
Dear All As you know I am getting a mortgage for purchase of my second line apartment N16, as such the bank have done a valauation on it and they have valued my road facing apartment at 18,000 MAD per square metre. Hopefully, this will enable you workd out raod facing apartment value of your apartment.
Another piece of news is that aside from Ryanair starting flights from Madrid and Dussledorf (weeze) to Tangiers, Air Berlin have also announced 6 routes from Hamburg,Berlin - Tegel, Cologne/Bonn,Salzburg, Venice,Vienna.
The above as I see it is good news, as more budget flights into Tangiers means that more tourists are likely to go there and so potentail rentals and extended season.
International and low-cost flight are experiencing a boom in Morocco..The target set by the government in Rabat of 10 million tourists in 2010 with the implementation of the bilateral accord signed with Brussels in 2006 now seems easily achievable. ''In 2008 Morocco saw 8 million tourists, and even more in 2009,'' said Hamid Zhar, air transport director in Morocco..
''Low cost airlines,'' said Zhar, ''such as Ryanair and Easyjet, have come onto the market with large-scale passenger capacity and frequent flights, which are increasing in number every year.'' However, there has also been local investment in the field: in addition to the most well-known international low costs airlines, ''Moroccan low cost airlines have also been created''. The liberalisation of the air transport sector and the agreement with the EU have allowed for ''an evolution in air traffic in the 2004-2008 period, practically 17% per year.
The 2008 economic and financial crisis,'' he added, ''has had an effect on air traffic but, in contrast to what happened at the global level, Morocco saw an 8.5% increase in international traffic in 2008 and in 2009 we are sure to see an even greater increase.'' The EU accord with Morocco has led to significant development in the market and, as a consequence, in the tourism sector, benefitting new destinations. ''We have doubled the frequency of international flights,'' added Zhar, ''at a general level.
We began in 2003 with 500 flights and now we have 1100-1200 flights per week. Before the liberalisation there were 20 airlines operating in Morocco while today we have 44'', making for a noteworthy increase in the number of passengers and lines. ''We have an international traffic of 10-11 million passengers,'' noted the director of air transport in Morocco, ''with a total traffic of 13 million, compared with the 5 and a half million in 2003 - a considerable increase.''
Before the accord, traffic was concentrated on Casablanca, while the past few years have seen growing increase in other destinations, thereby benefitting local economies. ''As was seen in Fez, where there was a 40-60% increase on the year, or in Tangier, Marrakesh, Agadir.'' After development in international routes, now the spotlight is on the launch of a new airline, a spin-off of Royal Air Maroc for domestic and regional flights with planes more adapted for short flights and a 72-passenger capacity.
I am sending this email from the terrace of my apartment at Sania plage, I am having to shade the screen of laptop as the sun is a bit bright. The temperature is very pleasant and I am looking across at Paul's apartment to my left and to the front is a view of the sea which I have between the front line apartments. I had astra 2 fitted yesterday and am currently listening to ken Bruce on radio 2 and the weather forecasts for the Uk, sounds very grim.
I have been living in the apartment for almost a week now having got all the formalities over with, with the notaire (just have a problem for him and Martinez to sort out in the my of my community fees). But water and electric etc is sorted. I am on site, putting pressure on Youseff to get the snagging out of the way, which is quite tiresome as it happens because the tradesmen can only do one job, the tiler comes and repairs outside tiles, another does the inside, 2 men work on the boiler one electrician and a one plumber, one will disappear and does not return, then the job goes into another day. But on the whole I am happy with the progress, even things like broken tiles are being replaced to satisfaction and feel sure it will all be completed by the end of the week. The sand dune where the coast guard hut was, is being removed and again by the end of the week there will be a clear view of the sea from the entrance of the complex. It is all progressing very nicely. Those of you who are disheartned and can not see light at the end of the tunnel, do not despair as it seems to come together all of a sudden.
Nice one Adrian - good to have some good news. Your experience on the snagging was the same as mine, got to be there to get it sorted. Hope Brian was of help to you.
Please have a beer for me when you are watching the sunset. When you come back (I assume you are coming back, but by the sound of it maybe not) would be good to speak to you. So keep all the contact details as you go along, this will be a help to the rest of us..
Happy new year Paul and all, This posting is really for Karen, I don't know if you are aware, but we all would not be grouping together now if it wasn't for Chris Ruddland and Paul Haines, they have worked their socks off to keep us all together and "in the know". Don't let *** fool you into moving your money elsewhere, Sania Plage frontline is nearly finished, the developer hasn't gone bust, so ignore any lies that you may hear from the enemy! Stay in touch and don't be fooled. Regards, Michele.
Dear All Happy new year to all and I hope you had good festive season.
I was wondering if those people who have completed, whether they as yet paid Martinez Ezechevarria,; as I have asked them to breakdown exactly what they have done for me? No surprise I have not received a breakdown but they keep promising to send but neever do they just keep asking for their fee.
I will pay in the end but they can wait especailly if they are not willing to give me breakdown.
Nik in response to your comment, I did not pay the lawyer the second half of their fees. I appreciate that some people may have had a good experience with them, but I did not. Told them they did very little and cost me money from their poor advice - so they will not be getting another penny from me without a fight. Happy to see them in court if they want to sue me. In fact I should be sueing them - I am hoping to join in with a legal action against them at some point.
I am back in the UK now after a couple of months away with 4 weeks at Sania Plage.
The apartment is finished now with all the snagging completed. It was quite a trying time, but with patience and persistence managed to achieve everything with some interesting experiences along the way.
Everything is shaping up well, coast guard hut gone and the block pavers being laid where it once stood.
I also had a couple of bad experiences I want to warn you about for those still competing. The notaire was insistent on payment for the community fees and would not release final paperwork before I paid it. I had already done so to Martinez, they were not available on the day to resolve it and not being sure of my facts until I returned to the UK had no option but to pay, to discover as I thought was included in my final payment demand, so the battle with Martinez continues on a different subject. Also, one day after an horrendous storm my apartment (top floor pool facing) I experienced minor flooding, water had come from under the door of the opposite apartment and in to myne, this had not been resolved when I left, but is assumed a window must be broken or been left open and rain has come straight through. The ground floor corridor also gets flooded after high winds and rain, because the floor is not level comes in, but can not escape. Those of you who have the option for someone in Morocco to check out your apartment, I strongly recommend it, as it may be a little while before the developer gets round to ironing out these problems. I have partly furnished the place now, this is quite an easy task to do on your own once once you get to know the lay of the land so to speak. Options are limited, thus making it easier! I hope to return in February all being well and look forward to meeting some of you during the year ahead.
Thanks to Chris Rudland for pointing me to this blog.
I am a buyer (I have not yet been contacted about the closing date)at SP (first line). I have read the mixed reviews abouy Martinez. Are we committed to work with them only?
Any tips - besides the snagging (covered in detail)- that you can share based on your experiences would be great.
Hi Suli Many apologies for the delay in replying to your post.
In of my experience of Martinez re completion on second line apartment, they are not overly helpful the main thing they were useful for was finding out the breakdown of final price. But be careful because there are some costs they ask you pay for, which if you want you can do yourself and so the fess they charge e.g. they were looking to charge 100 euros to get water and electricity connected but as you will have seen from Paul earlier post that it is possible for you to be able to do thsi yourself.
As to whether you use Martinez, that is your c all as to what you are most comfortable with, but I know owners of 2nd line apartments used a variety of different options, some used Martinez, others used Martinez but also dealt directly with notary and final group (which is the one that I am in) I dealt with with notary direct.
Notary is not the easiest person to deal with as he does not respond to be mails. The best way that I found was to go to the notary,s office and speak to him direct, which I did with my agent. The notary was able to confirm how much money I needed to send to him direct to enable completion abd I was able to agree with that he would not release the funds to the developers until my agent confirmed that the snagging was completed. The advantage for me in paying the notary direct was twofold:
1) I did not lose out on exchange rate by having to convert to euros to send the money to Martinez who then send it to Maroc in dirhams and saved the bank fe3es that Martinez ask you to pay
2)Also I was more in control(not totally) as to when the funds were released to developer. It also meant that as the funds were with notary, he has provided verbal assurance/gtee of sort (not convinced that it would hold up in court) that the developer would not be able to cancel the contract if completion date was after the date Martinez had advised me was final date. Via Martinez I recd threats threats from the developer was going to cancel(some people recd these via letter direct from the developer); but through my agent I was able to relay these to notary, who assured us that the contract would be cancelled and provided some assurance, which seems to be worked out, as I completed some time after the date given by the developer - even though not all my snagging list was complted but main things were.
In terms of snagging, the best advice that I can give you regarding this, is if you can to go over there and see your property, as I and others who were able to this found it helpful. Alot of people I know who completed, did the snagging list themselves with foreman on site. This seemed to work really well, but you do need to patience and you do need to keep chasing the developer. I personally did snagging list with my agent, who I then relied on to chase the builder and make ensure things were completed to acceptable standard, and this route has also worked.
The best advice or tip that I can give is that if you can is to visit the site yourself as soon as you can and see the notary, and also set some time aside to try to go over prior to completion and for completion yourself, as being in person in Morroco seems to help things faster than trying to do it all from the UK - I am sure there owners from second line who may be willing to rent thier apartment to you (mine is still not furnished). If when you are there, you need help then Paul has contact (see his posts) who maybe to help or you can employ an agent, as I have done or you could interview agents whlist over there and decide who is the best for you
I hope the above has been of some assistance, remember you can by pass Martinez to enable completion to take place, which will give you more control - but do not break off links with Martinez let them still keep feeding you information.
Hi all. As the front line seems to be moving nearer to completion I am considering funding a small part of the final payment via a mortgage. Does anyone have a contact regards a Moroccan mortgage ? Regards Ian
Hi Ian Short note to flag up an issue with regards to payment on your property, using a Moroccan mortgage. In the event that you decide to sell your property sometime in the future, there are serious issues in relation to the repatriation of funds - namely taking this money out of the country. There are severe restrictions limiting how much money can be removed each year.
To avoid this issue, you have to provide clear evidence that the money used to fund your purchase was foreign money - namely Sterling or Euros. Based on this fact, a Moroccan mortgage is the least preferred method of payment.
Dear All On a completly subject, I found this website -http://www.watg.com/?pageid=0BA14B9F-1372-6883-168B8D647C5C4553 - whihc appear to firm arcitects who say that they have designed Ritz Charlton htoel in Tamuda Bay area which will alos have Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. I was wondering if anyone has heard about this development and whether it will get built?
If the story is ture - that is big if - then I beleive it will good news all round
Thanks Nik - that is good news - stayed at a Barcelo hotel in Malaga and it was excellent. Looks like they have given it a much needed facelift. Rooms start at 85 Euro/night - hope the drinks at the bar are more affordable!
Hi All, at SP and the clear up after the floods is FANTASTIC. Credit to the guys on site. Weather is also great about 20 degrees and full sun today. The King spent about 5 weeks here recently and the whole area made a huge effort to put thing back to normal after the worst floods in living memory according to a local taxi driver.
Hi all, we returned from Sania last week.Picked up deeds from Notaire and asked why i was being charged for Amendis(water/elec connection) when this had already been paid for! was fobbed off about exchange rate etc....told him i will check with lawyers, but wont hold my breath.As for the site i was suprised how clean it was after the floods! still no paving on paths or entrances to apts,most of our snagging had been completed and we are happy with it (-: its been a long hard slog and we just want to try and enjoy it now.We met our neighbours again Pat & Steve(you always make me smile) who we hope to see again this year (Nik i will give you a bell this week)looking at returning end of May with the not so young kids coming up to 13&15 who have been going on about it for 4 years yes i did say 4 years...stayed a couple of nights in Spain & got the ferry from Ageciras-Ceuta which was miles better than we anticipated (thanks for the travel advice Paul & Nik)the border crossing was no problem but expect it will be crazy in summer.Furniture should be going in shortly and might have some alterations done regarding sockets lights etc(need a tv..any suggestions welcome).Still hope we can all meet up at some time and put all the sxxx we have been through behind us and have a laugh! and stick 2 fingers up to all that upset us along the way(if the spys are reading this YES THAT MEANS YOU).Speak soon everyone, stay safe & sane...Billy & Linda
Dear All Just to let you know that Tangiers Med ferry passenger port has been opend buy the King and ferries now go from Algericas to Tangiers Med Port which is good news
I am here till the 25th of August. Weather was just right today...It was 32 degrees with a good cool breeze from the med. The night before last was uncomfortable. It was hotter than the day, at 36 degrees About 6pm a hot southerly wind started (from the Sahara, I pressume) which was like having a hairdryer in your face. Had to get to sleep on the terrace that night. Need to re-think the airconditioning situation! Earlier this week the roads have been packed going into M'diq but since the start of Ramadam it has been a lot quieter. We managed to go to Chicos for a few beers before everywhere stopped serving Alcohol for Ramadan. Although quieter, today we were in Marjane at 4pm and it was packed. The queue was long and no one seemed to have a problem when our credit card was declined. The king left the area yesterday and he was spotted out and about a few times. There have been major improvements and a lot of new light displays have been dotted around. The area is looking really smart. I hope to put up some photos before we leave.
Hi Paul, great to hear some positive news,we were hoping to nip over from Spain last week but it did'nt happen )-;.Really wanted to check the progress! still hoping to get over this year to check out our apt/furniture etc. Aircon sounds like a must(-; have a great time and a safe return. Cheers Billy & Linda N6
Good Morning folks. Not been on site for a while and great to see updated photos and commentary. Thanks Paul.
We are looking forward to furnishing appartment next spring and visiting Sania. Any recommendations for days out/places to eat would be most welcome.
Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but a friend of ours purchased an appartment in the Bella Vista complex in Cabo Negro (overlooking the golf coure). They have a 2 bed appartment on the 3rd floor with views of the sea and mountains. Unfortunately, due to a change in circumtances, they now need to sell. They purchased for 1,061.000 dirhams. If anyone is looking for a further investment or knows of anyone who may be, please contact Pauline Godley on 01302 815999
Hi Brandon In terms of days out next year, if you have car then visiting Chefcaouen which is in the mountains and Alisiah on ther other side of Atlantic are worth a day out but they are fair old drive away.
Also a day in Casbar in Tangiers in interesting, but I would not recommend driving into Tangiers (unless you are very brave) but you could drive to near the airport and get a taxi in.
If you like fresh fish and basic conditions then the harbour in Mdiq is good, as the fish off the boats is barbqued there and then for you.
In Mdiq there is shop called Ali Baba (not joking) it is bit of touristy shop but it has inetresting moroccan furniture/lamps, fabrics and bits and pieces not too bad a price.
I am going out next week and hope to do some more exploring, so if I come across anything interesting I will post it on the blog.
Dear All Returned recently from a visit to Sania. the weather great and landscaping is looking really good, but pools not very clean and inviting. I noticed by Kablia Vista there is sign up forRitz Carlton Resort which is going to developed there and it will include a golf course.
Just a word of warning for those of you going Sania, unfortunately I had a theft from my apartment (some money, laptop and mobile). Upon looking into, apparently other residents on site have had similar problems, so make sure to keep valuables locked way especially when you pop out. Apparently the thief is getting in via open windows but this is confirmed, so take care. This has not put me off Sania and personally I still feel safe on sight but I will be that little more carefully going forwards
Sorry to hear about the loss of your items - and thanks for the warning. I will be out there soon, so will be need to be a lot more vigilant than I was during the summer. Seem to remember that you are on a higher level, so mind boggles how they can get in without anyone noticing. That's if there is anyone about, I hear the number of staff/security on site has fallen off to only a handful?
Are the pools being maintained now it is 'out of season'? Is at least one useable?
Hi Paul You are right, my apartment is on the top floor facing the road, so I am not sure how the thief got in without being noticed - but I suspect they got access via the property next door which is empty and so either got onto the roof and then dropped down on the balcony. Also with garages being open, it easy enough for some to enter a block unnoticed even if the front door is locked.
The development was very quiet and I suspect that security staff numbers have been reduced from the summer, I believe that there were 4 or 5; usually 2 at the front gate and 2 on beach site and occasionally one of them may wonder round.
Re the swimming pools, the one closest to what is supposed to hotel site was being cleaned when we there and was in not too condition a bit green but I would say usable. The other pool (petrol station side) had a lot of litter in and was not usable.
Have a great time there, as I understand that few of the UK owners are going to over around the time you are going over.
Dear All Just a quick note to remind one and all couoncil tax is due on your property in Sania my bill for 2010 was 3733 MAD. As I understand it the council does not sent a bill nor reminders, you just end up racking up penalty payment, so take care.
I seem to remember it was mentioned when I bought the property that new builds were supposedly exempt from council tax for the first 5 years....anyone remember this or have any information on it?
See below 3 references to the council/property tax being exempt for new buids for the first 5 years. Anyone know the actual story on this one? Locals have said to me that they don't chase you for the money for 5 years. Has anyone asked the Notary?
Property Tax (Taxe d’habitation.. New buildings are exempted from the tax for a 5-year period following
Municipal taxes (rates). Exempt for the first five years and then between 10% -30% of the yearly rental value of the property with a reduction of 75% if it is your main dwelling. (http://www.moroccoproperties.net/moreinfo/)
Exception from urban tax for five years for all new constructions. (http://hipproperties.com/maroc.php)
easyJet launches Liverpool to Gibraltar route easyJet, the UK’s largest and best value airline, has today (Thursday 25 November) launched a brand new route to Gibraltar from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The low-fares airline is now offering a three-times-weekly service from Liverpool to Gibraltar with fares starting from just £27.99 (one-way, including taxes). Seats are now on sale and the inaugural flight will leave Liverpool on Tuesday 29 March 2011.
Have booked a few easyjet flights this evening and will try the Liverpool to Gibraltar route (all at about £60 return). Well chuffed. Only Ryanair can top that by introducing a flight from Liverpool to Tangier direct!
If I can get a ferry from Gibraltar to Tangier Med even better.
Anyone travelled from Gibraltar and got any tips on the best way to do it?
Hi Paul, thinking of booking flights to Gib at easter! when are you going? would be good to meet up on Sania so i can pick your brains (over a beer of course)it will be the first time the kids have visited!. Have a great Xmas and hope to see you in the new year, same go's to all Sania owners. Cheers Billy & Linda N6
Hi Billy, We are there 5-16 April (our schools easter break has been shifted this year to an early spring break). If you or anyone else out there at that time, would be good to meet up. Paul
Hi Paul, booked flights for the 14th April-23rd so it would be good to get together before you leave!We have done the ferry crossing to Ceuta from Agerciras but this will be the first time we have flown to Gibraltar! so i will have to do my homework on getting to Algerciras from Gib! Have you hired a car in Morocco? any info on car hire would be appreciated, looking at returning in early August all being well! Hope your Xmas went well. Cheers Billy&Linda.
Oh & if your reading this Nik, Steve&Pat hope you are well and hope to see you in Sania in the not to distant future(preferably April)(-:
Another planned upmarket hotel in the area? General Hotel Management Ltd (GHM) is a market leader in conceptualising, developing and operating an exclusive group of hotels and resorts worldwide. With an expansive portfolio and several more in the pipeline, GHM prides itself in providing guests with a distinctive lifestyle experience that is unrivalled. GHM properties currently under development include the following hotels and resorts worldwide: The Chedi, Tamouda Bay, Morocco
Hi Alan, I have had problems trying to put links to Steve's website before...I don't know why. The company is PMC, and if the link does not work try to google it, but if you type www.pmcmorocco.com into your browser it should work
It has been a while since I posted anything here and thought I would update now that I am actually at Sania presently. We arrived by car and crossed into Morocco via the Ceuta border, got that border crossing down to a fine art now, from arriving at the spanish side to cruising down the Moroccan highway in less than 20 mins.
We arrived and there was evidence of big floods again, the garages still full of dirty water, but over the course of five days or so the clean up process of the roads and pavements etc has returned the site to its former glory and looks very nice under the bright blue sky and glorious sunshine, temperatures still only 11 degress, but pleasant. One pool is out of action, but at 11 degress, that is not a problem.
The apartment was found just like I had left it back in September, with no horror stories to report, this time dry inside due to the bigger drains fitted to the terrace which has obviously coped with the heavy rain that has fallen plus as an extra security measure put a sand bag up against the terrace door as well as the front door. The windows in the lounge have let a bit of rain in judging by the plaster bubbling.
Last time I was here, I got robbed big style and was reliably informed that it was done by 3 painters who have since be fired. I thought it was an isolated experience, only to discover that it is not the case, I decide to fit security shutters this week and whilst taking the materials from the car to the apartment, leaving the door open and unattended for less than 5 mins, I later realised that I was relieved of my iphone. There was only the one time that both of us were not in the apartment, the entire block is empty, as in no other residents. By absolute chance Nelly remembered seeing one of the workers in the block and we reported the incident and pointed out to Mohamed on security,the person who was seen, of which he was questioned. A satisfactory answer was not obtained and as suspicion was getting greater, the accused insisted on searching the apartment to help us find it, this took place after he had been to the main office, we were not keen, but due to the language barrier and his persistance it happened almost out of our control. Then as if a miracle had happened he found it behind a dressing table that he pulled out, the same very dressing table I pulled out earlier in a frantic attempt looking for it! All very strange, but true. Twice now I have personally experienced thefts out of my apartment, you can not afford to leave any window or door open if unattended, because if you do something will go missing. Small expensive items like cameras, phones wallets etc that can be put in a pocket or under a shirt and not be noticed if you pass them in the corridor. Lesson learnt to be more vigilant, which is difficult for me as I live in an area in the UK where I can leave the car keys in the ignition all night and still see the car parked in the driveway the following morning! I just hope who reads this will be on their guard next time they visit Sania and their visit will not spoiled.
Anyway all is well now and enjoying the place, just returned from a stroll round M'diq and visiting the evening street market, truly amazing seeing all the fresh produce for sale and all the locals going about their daily business.
Hope to meet up with other apartment owners at some point.
We will be visiting Sania in April but will not be arriving until April 23rd. Going by expensive route Royal Air Maroc but it is direct Heathrow to Tangiers. We thought we may see a number of you over Easter but as Paul has already stated Easter has been brought forward this year. Billy - for your info I would advise that you spend some of the summer e.g hot weather before putting in Air con as both Steve and I visited late August early September last year and we found our Apt AOK without it. As you are above us I would think that you should be OK also. Hope to see you all soon.
Hi Billy and Linda, Did you make it to Sania Plage? Sorry to have missed you, kept looking out but as we left handy on the 16th our paths didn't have enough time to cross!! Paul
Hi Paul, sorry we missed you on Sania! the weather was awful )-; was not impressed with the progress on the hotel or the basements ! we had a car so got out and about also went to the restaurant you found the cockroach in ! thankfully they was closed (-; we are going back for a few days at the end of June going to decide if we are selling or keeping our apt ! been a long journey and i still believe this is an up and coming area and a sound investment.
Sorry we missed everyone at this time. We arrived on Easter Saturday and returned on the 3rd May the weather was mixed although I don't think it was as bad as Billy and Linda experienced. I spoke with Brahiem who tells me that they are currently working on the satelite dishes and they are changing them for a better system. They are also going to paint the whole of the outside of the complex before the summer season in fact he was discussing this with the contractor whilst we were there. He also informed us that they are widening the water channels onto the beach and that the governor has said that he will be addressing the site where all the debris originates from into Sania (not sure when this will take place) So building on Pauls info with regard to the pumping stations the situation has to get better!!! Braheim also said that the builder is hoping to hand over the complex to a syndicate sometime this year so we will need to be aware of when this will take although I believe he will have to inform us in writing beforehand. We think there is some value in discussing how owners in the UK would see the syndicate working and how we would get the correct representation. Has anyone else thought about this?
Just back from a flying visit. Arrived late Thursday and left early Saturday morning. I have selected all my furniture and fittings and arranged for someone to go in, clean, and fit out. Total cost was just under £4K and I am very happy with the quality. On the face of it, the development is very pleasant. The pools were clean and being used. However, the car parks are STILL full of stinking stagnant water, and there is considerable damp in the communal areas. It is not a pretty sight. On a positive note, M'Diq is looking superb and was bustling day and night.
posted a photo of a new burger and ice-cream restaurant that has opened up in the new port at M'Diq. Looked impressive - did not go in as we had just eaten - but will definitely be going there next time. The new M'Diq port shopping area is looking really smart and work is cracking on
Discussion - can we have some please? I viewed the stats for this blog, and it gets a surprisingly good number of views (surprising to me!) from all over the place - but very few people leave any comments.....any feedback as to why this is? I can only assume that the great number of possible English speaking owners we had at one time has evaporated. All pulled out, or did not complete for other reasons. Whilst a blog is often a personal type diary of experiences...this was never intended to be so....It has always stated at the top it was intended for apartment owners to help and inform each other. Those that know me will say that I am fairly quiet and reserved, more a listener than a talker, and so this blog was never supposed to be about me, me , me! In truth I am a fairly private person and I don't normally talk much about me at all! So I was considering closing down this blog. Is there anyone out there who thinks this blog may have any future use or merit at all? If so, start posting about how it could be more useful, about anything morocco, Sania Plage, the area, your experiences. If there are the Sania Plage owners out there and this blog is of no value to them, then it should become redundant.
13,000 page views. Sometimes over 400 views on specific days. On average there are 1,000 views per month. Most people come directly to this blog, and those that find it from searches...the VAST majority enter 'sania plage owners blog' or some variation of it in the search engine.
Views by country are as follows: United Kingdom 8,445 Ireland 1,777 Morocco 824 United States 443 Spain 304 France 239 Netherlands 123 Jersey 106 Germany 89 Japan 40
So I can only conclude that lots of people regularly view this blog (by specifically seeking it out)but only a handful comment. Is it that they simply can't be bothered, or is there more to it than that?
IF YOU HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO READ THIS THEN PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO COMMENT - ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE NEVER POSTED BEFORE. OTHERWISE THE NEXT TIME YOU SEEK OUT THIS BLOG IT MAY SAY 'NO LONGER AVAILABLE'
I often visit the blog and have on occasions asked questions. The replies have been very useful. I haven't been to Sania Plage for a year so it is really useful to see how much things have changed and improved in that time. I hope the website does continue. Mark E8
I have only posted a few times, but would check the site a couple of times a month for updates. I agree that it could probably be used a lot more by owners and I, for one would miss the site if it was to close as we don't get out to Sania Plage as often as we would like to - so appreciate any news from owners who have been out for a visit. I also appreciate the time and effort that has gone (and continues to go) into maintaining the site, so please Paul, give it a little longer.
Just a small query - is it possible to have newest comments at the top of the page, rather than having to scroll to the bottom?
I have changed the comment format so a pop-up box appears. If you click 'jump to comment form' at the top it brings you straight to the comment box without the need to scroll down all the past comments. Leave me feedback - is it better?
I'm one of those doing the reading and not posting I'm sorry to say, but your comment is a spur to be more active. I certainly find the site really useful and hope you keep it going. One thing I think would be helpful is to try to build up a picture of the state of play of the development as a whole and the future plans. Info like how many apartments are still unsold, and the developer's plans/timescales around getting some of the commercial units open and plans for the hotel. Presumably through the Syndique would be one route to try to get this sport of information.
Hi Steve, Welcome! You may have seen that the new syndique posted contact details on the forum yesterday, they should be able to tell you something about the site development plans. If you find anything out - post it. At the meeting to elect the syndique in July it was stated that the developer still had approx 50 apartments unsold. I assume this includes the apartments that are subject to ongoing legal actions....
Thanks Paul, I prefer the pop-up box method (I know it's the height of laziness when you can't be bothered scrolling down a page!)
Another query (see what you've started) - you have mentioned on a couple of postings that you have posted photos, (of Marjane and syndic meeting) but I can't find them. Can you direct me?
Dear Paul Further to your recent, I would like to tahnk you for the time and effort that you have put in running setting up and running the blog; which I believ is useful tool for owners of Sania Plage to share information and help build a community especailly as we all live in various parts of the world.
I appreciate that I ahve not posted anything for some time, but this is beacuse for various reasons, I until today have not had a chance to go out Sania so I did not have anything of value to share with people. I am flying out 3rd Sept and will be there for 2 weeks, so if anyone is there at the same time then please feel free to pop into N16 for coffee; or there is anything that anyone would like me to find out whilst I an then let me know via the blog and try my best to find out.
For my part, I hope you feel able to keep the blog gping, but if you feelits time has come to an end then I fully understand and appreciate all your efforts.
Jus a reminder to all, I beleive that Council tax is due but the council does not send reminders they roll up the amount and penalties due for a period of time.
Hi Nik, Thanks - actually blog does not take too much time....just a bit confused as to how a lot of people look at this website, but not many comments are left. Where do you pay the taxes...is it by the police station in M'diq? Will be out myself again in October - need an antidote to the appalling August weather here in rainy Liverool!
Dear Paul I am Sania, it very hot and relatively busy whihc is good to see. I will find out where you have pay the council tax and post it.
The King has just left the area. The word is that he has bought 5 front line aprtments for Major Generals, which I take to very good sign and should ensure that development is kept in good condition; I personally see it as vote of confidence in the development.
Also I discovered that poolside first floor apartmnet has been soldon for over !,3 million dirham, which shows there seems to market for the apartments.
That is all I ahve for now, if I find anyhting else whihc may be interest to group, then I will post it later on.
We find the blog very very useful. I am sure that as the site/syndique grows into a more mature state it will become more and more useful (just as it helped us when we were deciding to purchase or not to purchase) I hope that this continues as it keeps everyone informed of what is going on (or not as the case may be)We are coming over in October (have still to book the flights) so we may yet meet with you and put a face to the Sania blog. One question I do have is with regard to council tax I thought (as I believe you did at one time) that we were exempt for 5 years is this not the case?
Dear All Paul_the council tax is paid at the council offices next to police station.
In terms of development around the area, I see going towards Fnidiq the new resport by Bayan Tree called The Chedi is being being built. If you do goole seraches on The Chedi, then if this one is anything the others it should be class act and so whihc is further good news. In regards to the Ritz Charlton site, they seem to have sarted some of the work re draining the marshes, which is further positive sign.
Apparently the govenor of the are has not promoted this are for tourism yet, until they ahve enough beds and hotels. Also the mid term plan is improve Tetouan airport so that it becomes an international airport. I personally have mixed feeling about this is this all, it is v good re investment in my apartment but I will be sad when thsi relatively undiscovered and out season quite spot disappears.
Your blog is very beneficial for uk owners of other developments. The Alkudia blog has dried up. The King was around quite alot this summer. He came back at the end of Ramadan and opened the Fnideq mosque. I know his motorcade slowed down when he passed Alkudia. There is a nice restaurant in fnideq called Marmara. The decor is very good. The food is quite nice, not that much on the menu yet- burgers, paninis, lasagna, spag bol, pizza and the like. The icecream and juices are better and it is worth a visit, especially as they have gone to such an effort to make it attractive to foreigners.
Hi Paul, It's Frank here, from Apt D6 front line. I'm one of the 'guilty' ones that rarely leave any comments. I do, however, log on to the blog occasionally, sometime often and sometime not so often. But, I must say that I have found the blog very useful, and for that I wish to thank you also for setting it up and maintaining it. I am a regular visitor to Sania . . I'm actually going on my 4th visit this year tomorrow 28th Sept for a brief w/e visit. Atmittedly, my visits have mostly to do with the work I am having carried out in the Apartment. I am appalled with the 'quality' of the developers work, so I decided to improve on that myself (with good help from Brian Clifford - thanks Brian if you see this!) The bits of snagging repairs I managed to have done by the developer was just as bad as what was there in the first place. Despite this I'm generally happy with the complex as a whole, especially the location. Also nice to see the great improvements of the whole stretch from M'Diq up to Ceuta that has taken place since we first came in 2006. And with the continuing developments and improvements taking place (don't they know the world is 'in crisis'?)makes me believe that it not only will be a great investment but also a place in which I want to spent lots of time in the future! By the way, as you may recall, we met briefly this summer in the rather nice restaurant in M'Diq, the name escapes me, is it'Karima' or something like that? Great food at cheap prices in a clean (almost european)interior. I can highly recommed it to anyone. Perhaps you remember the correct name, in case someone else may want to try it out? Anyway,enough from me for now. I'll try to be a more 'active' follower and post any comments/advise I may have. So, please don't close down the blog! Thank you Paul. Best, Frank
Hi Frank, Thanks - want to encourage use of the blog, not seeking praise - but appreciated. Always good to have as many perspectives on Sania Plage as possible. Yes that restaurant is great, but I too have a bit of a mental block on remembering the name (must be something to do with the fact that I go from there to chicos and have a few drinks). It is called something like Kamila? but it is close to the fire station - and you can't miss it - sticks out like a sore thumb cos it is so well presented. Have a good trip - if you go to that new burger place in the M'Diq new port please post on it..... Which reminds me I should add a category of places to visit/of interest/to eat/drink etc Paul
Hi Paul/Helen and family I check the blog most days and always enjoy the posts although I am guilty of never posting myself. I feel it would be very sad for it not to continue. Seamus and I were over in Sania for 2 weeks in June and met with Nik and Julie and had a most enjoyable time. The new burger restaurant at the harbour in Mdiq looks quite impressive, although we did not eat there but will try it on our next visit. We will be there again from the 13th -20 Oct. I see from the blog that Steve and Pat will be out there also and are very welcome to call, we are at N10. We hope you continue with the blog Paul, we appreciate the time, effort and the info it provides. Nuala and Seamus
Hi Nuala, We are also back in October, but will just miss you. We are flying out on 20th, but this time we are going to Marrakesh for a couple of nights. We will then brave the overnight sleeper train back to Tanger to spend a week at SP. In truth (after the setting up bit) this blog takes little effort on my part. Just that is will be of little use if owners do not take some time to post their experiences. I have just added a 'places to visit' category, so if you have any recommendation from your experiences please add there....
Hi all, Just returned from a 4 day stay at Sania Plage. It was very quiet, the only sign of any occupancy was a couple of parked cars. Didn't actually see both pools, but the one by my apartment was empty and receiving some kind of attention (saw 4 'berber looking' women doing what looked like cleaning scrubbing the floor). The tennis court had progressed since July, now with full height fence all around and the 2 net poles erected, so hey, it might just be ready for next summer (any players 'out there'?) Weather was not as good as in England, 'only' about 25 degrees, windy and cloudy, but no rain! Quite a few workers around, doing gardening and various repairs (I assume) and 'security guards' wandering around the site. I noticed that there is still work going on at the Ritz Carlton development. In fact I was told by one of the waiters at the Barcelo Hotel that it's going to a 7* hotel (I just nodded and tried to look impressed!) - however, he did give give me a link to a computerized 'fly-through' video of the development, which I will invite everyone to watch. If the development actually materialise, it will add to the prestige of the area (like it or not!). Here's the web link: http://vimeo.com/19439505 - enjoy! Enough from me for now.
Thanks for the info Frank - the promo video looks very impressive and I was pleased to see Sania Plage featuring in the introduction.
Just wondering if you noticed the state of the proposed site for the hotel adjacent to Sania Plage, as the last time we visited, our apartment was overlooking a bit of a nature reserve and the frogs kept my husband awake half of the night!
Hilary - there is a recent post from Nik about the hotel site in Updates topic. Says work appears to be starting, so the frog chorus may become a thing of the past...
Just back from S.P. met with members of the Syndique and checked with them on our obligation situation in regard to this council tax, this liability is totally independent from the community fees which also need to be paid, there appears to be some confusion as to liability on this council/rubbish tax. The situation is that it has to be paid from the date you closed on the apt. The local authority will not send you a bill they simply add a fine to your amount each year. We have found the Syndique very helpful and transparent in our dealings with them
Having returned from Sania this time was most impressed with the site maintenance for the gardens and the swimming pool in fact swam in the pool for the first time ever!! Work is continuing on the hotel and the foundations were being put in as well as shoring up the enbankment for the roadside to our complex. I believe the syndique are driving this with the builder. For any of you who has paid for community fees with the notary you are due a refund for which the syndique will manage for you. Since our return they now have a cheque from the notary for our apartment. Let us hope the good work continues.
I finally went along to pay my council taxes - it was 3,600Dhms per year. I had 2 years to pay with some fines thrown in for late payment...ah well, certainly beats my council tax bill in Liverpool!
This may not be news to all, but it was to me! I've just managed to get a direct return flight with Royal Air Maroc from London to Tangier for an amazing £163 (which includes a £14 travel insurance). That pretty much matches EasyJet (with a plane change in Madrid) Apparently R A M only fly direct on Saturdays and Tuesdays. When I tried in the past I could only find flights via Casablanca! Perhaps it's a seasonal thing. Admittedly, it's not exactly High season right now! Anyway, if anyone is out there between 14th and 28th Jan it would be good to meet up!
Hi everyone, We are hoping to visit over Easter and were wondering if anyone could recommend a decent car hire? Have only been over twice before and not great experiences with car hire on either occasion!
Hi everyone, Does anyone know what the situation is in regards to the Refuse Collection Tax? Every bit of Moroccan tax advice I can find on the internet, says new building are exempt for 5 year!
Also mentioned on: http://www.saniaplage.net/faq.html
Hi Hilary, I have used Steve Shaw several times for car hire - and always a good experience. They can arrange for car to meet you at apartment, border, airport or wherever suits you.... should be able to contact through his website http://www.pmcmorocco.com/ Paul p.s. booked last minute flights there from 3rd - 12th April....are you there too? Be good to meet up
Anouar, I have posted about this subject before.....lots of internet references to tax exemptions for 5 years, but the bottom line is when people enquire they are told to pay. I did and I needed to pay my local taxes.....problem is if you don't pay they keep adding hefty fines on top of what you owe. Paul
"I've heard that owners of Sania Plage will be able to stay at the new Ritz Carlton hotel for free once it's complete!!".......just looking forward to the day when Sania Plage is complete!
Has anyone stayed at Sania during Ramadam? If so, is anything open during this time and are you still able to purchase alcohol at the supermarket in Marina Smur and M'diq and also in the restaurant. Can
My experience at Ramadan has been that it is a quiet time in that area. The bars in M'Diq close down for the whole month.....and obviously all the other food and drink places are closed during the day. Things get very lively in the evening though! Also found that some of the restaurants that serve alcohol closed down as well. We could get alcohol in Marjane, but needed to ask them to open up the section especially, and they need to see your passport........best stock up beforehand! However we went to Asilah during this time and restaurants were open as normal and serving alcohol, I think some designated tourist areas are exempt, but i am no expert.I think i have been there 3 times during Ramadan in various months and the vibe is very different for sure
Thank you Paul, that is very helpful. Would it be an idea to take alcohol in from Spain or Ceuta and do you think this would be alright to get through the border. We plan to go out in March and shall be doing some research, but your view would be very welcome.
Also we notice you were out in September. Is this month busy as Hatim seemed to think is was much quieter and not very good for rentals.
Last few times I have travelled has been through Gibraltar.....and have always stocked up there with alcohol as it was really good value. I have also been to the supermarkets in Ceuta and they are fairly cheap too. I have never had a problem going through the border with booze - never been searched. That being said it was well hidden in my case - as I'm sure it is best not to advertise the fact. Even if they do stop you, if you are carrying a sensible amount say 2 litres per person then there shouldn't be an issue.
I have had to put the security feature on for anyone wanting to leave a comment on this blog. This is due to the ridiculous amount of spammers trying to post nonsense on this blog. I can get up to 10 emails a day from these clowns, so hopefully this will cut the amount of spam....sorry for the inconveniece, just mean you will need to enter a security code to post your comment.
has anyone had an internet line fitted in their apartment? If so how painful was the process and how reliable the and result? Any tips or advice on this subject would be appreciated.
Hi Paul, I guess you are back in the UK by now? I had broadband (& wifi) installed last summer. It went relatively smooth. I arranged it through Maroc Telecom in Marjane. I guess you can also arrange it at the Maroc Telecon shop In M'Diq for convenience. I haven't been to Sania since last summer, but plan to be back from around 12 July for 4 weeks. Perhaps see you then. Frank
I was wondering if anyone knows how the postal 'service' works in Morocco or, more specifically, at Sania Plage/M'Diq? I'm expecting post this summer and want to make sure I receive it! Any advise would be appreciated. Thanking you in anticipation
I now know the answer: No post deliveries, except within M'Diq itself (3 postmen apparently!). Solution is to open a post box at the M'Diq Post Office = 220dhs (£17) for 12 months. For that you get a small box + key. There's a separate entrance from the street to the 'Post Box Room)
We have not been able to get out to Morocco as often as we had hoped and have reluctantly decided to sell. Has anyone had any experience in this area or can offer any advice?
There has obviously been some busy people at SP since last summer.......the complex is gradually transforming into the development I hoped for, and time will bring a mature feel......any rough edges are slowly but surely disappearing. Most noticeable changes since last summer are the amount of new colourful flower beds around, and the substantial planting process at perimeters and edgings that will have a big impact when they mature. The swimming pools have been sectioned off with such planting. So security is very visible and effective, entry to pool is via a gate and with an bracelet provided by The Syndique. New road Barriers have been installed at each section entrance and activated for car entry by a card again provided by Syndique. I have had no issues accessing my allocated parking space and when another car appeared there it was swiftly moved (unlike last year when a car had been left in my space and didn't move for the whole of my stay and no one had an idea whose car it was!!!) Also some underground garages appear to be in use......and hooray a supermarket on site well stocked with a good variety of stuff selling everything you really need including fruit and veg...
With 15DH to the £ at the moment I am finding things even better value!!!!!! One such example is a local sim for my phone......I put 50DH credit on and got 1Gb of Internet access for 2 weeks - perfect....(hence this post), 4 hours of talk time and 400 texts all for just over 3 quid and this credit lasts for a whole year...unbelievable ......compare this to the text I got from EE my UK provider on arrival 'Welcome to Morocco. Calls cost £1.50/min to make/receive. Texts £0.50, For a data add-on that lasts 7 days text: D4 (50MB £60).' What a joke......what a UK rip off! So if you come to Morocco......phone your mobile company before you leave (they all must do this unless you are very early into a contract) and tell them to unlock your phone, or get it unlocked here and buy a local sim! It will save you a lot of £££££
I have been unable to visit the complex for a couple of years and with such positive news about the improvement of the complex, is it possible to post some photos. Thank you Mark E8
Another development in the area is the building of a 5* Marriott Hotel.....this is in the space in front of Puerto Marina, so very close to Sania Plage....progress is already significant on this build. The Sofitel looks complete at the entrance to M'Diq, and the Ritz Carlton carries at a pace (but given this is a huge site and development I guess it will take time)
Just a heads up for anyone renting through Vista. We have been swindled out of 80 000 Dirhams rental money they owe us. They do not reply to any communications.
I have received an e mail from Hatim at Medlantic properties who states he knows of someone who is looking to buy a property in Sania Plage. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar e mail or if they have dealt with Hatim before Mark (E8)
I take it that you didn’t sell your apartment Mark? We’ve just had a similar email (although not from Hatim) but it all looked very suspicious as the sender didn’t say how he came by my email address. We’d like to sell our apartment and would appreciate any advice (we have serious trust issues due to past experiences) on both selling and repatriating income from rental as that’s another issue that we’re currently up against.
As travel was mostly impossible in 2020, with no end in sight in 2021, its been a while since I could visit Sania Plage from the UK. Lat visit was back in April 2019. I think Morocco has been under big restrictions due to Covid like most countries. Any news from anyone on Sania Plage would be appreciated
Dear All
ReplyDeleteAs you know I am getting a mortgage for purchase of my second line apartment N16, as such the bank have done a valauation on it and they have valued my road facing apartment at 18,000 MAD per square metre. Hopefully, this will enable you workd out raod facing apartment value of your apartment.
Another piece of news is that aside from Ryanair starting flights from Madrid and Dussledorf (weeze) to Tangiers, Air Berlin have also announced 6 routes from Hamburg,Berlin - Tegel, Cologne/Bonn,Salzburg, Venice,Vienna.
ReplyDeleteThe above as I see it is good news, as more budget flights into Tangiers means that more tourists are likely to go there and so potentail rentals and extended season.
International and low-cost flight are experiencing a boom in Morocco..The target set by the government in Rabat of 10 million tourists in 2010 with the implementation of the bilateral accord signed with Brussels in 2006 now seems easily achievable. ''In 2008 Morocco saw 8 million tourists, and even more in 2009,'' said Hamid Zhar, air transport director in Morocco..
ReplyDelete''Low cost airlines,'' said Zhar, ''such as Ryanair and Easyjet, have come onto the market with large-scale passenger capacity and frequent flights, which are increasing in number every year.'' However, there has also been local investment in the field: in addition to the most well-known international low costs airlines, ''Moroccan low cost airlines have also been created''. The liberalisation of the air transport sector and the agreement with the EU have allowed for ''an evolution in air traffic in the 2004-2008 period, practically 17% per year.
The 2008 economic and financial crisis,'' he added, ''has had an effect on air traffic but, in contrast to what happened at the global level, Morocco saw an 8.5% increase in international traffic in 2008 and in 2009 we are sure to see an even greater increase.'' The EU accord with Morocco has led to significant development in the market and, as a consequence, in the tourism sector, benefitting new destinations. ''We have doubled the frequency of international flights,'' added Zhar, ''at a general level.
We began in 2003 with 500 flights and now we have 1100-1200 flights per week. Before the liberalisation there were 20 airlines operating in Morocco while today we have 44'', making for a noteworthy increase in the number of passengers and lines. ''We have an international traffic of 10-11 million passengers,'' noted the director of air transport in Morocco, ''with a total traffic of 13 million, compared with the 5 and a half million in 2003 - a considerable increase.''
Before the accord, traffic was concentrated on Casablanca, while the past few years have seen growing increase in other destinations, thereby benefitting local economies. ''As was seen in Fez, where there was a 40-60% increase on the year, or in Tangier, Marrakesh, Agadir.'' After development in international routes, now the spotlight is on the launch of a new airline, a spin-off of Royal Air Maroc for domestic and regional flights with planes more adapted for short flights and a 72-passenger capacity.
Hi all
ReplyDeleteI am sending this email from the terrace of my apartment at Sania plage, I am having to shade the screen of laptop as the sun is a bit bright. The temperature is very pleasant and I am looking across at Paul's apartment to my left and to the front is a view of the sea which I have between the front line apartments.
I had astra 2 fitted yesterday and am currently listening to ken Bruce on radio 2 and the weather forecasts for the Uk, sounds very grim.
I have been living in the apartment for almost a week now having got all the formalities over with, with the notaire (just have a problem for him and Martinez to sort out in the my of my community fees). But water and electric etc is sorted.
I am on site, putting pressure on Youseff to get the snagging out of the way, which is quite tiresome as it happens because the tradesmen can only do one job, the tiler comes and repairs outside tiles, another does the inside, 2 men work on the boiler one electrician and a one plumber, one will disappear and does not return, then the job goes into another day. But on the whole I am happy with the progress, even things like broken tiles are being replaced to satisfaction and feel sure it will all be completed by the end of the week.
The sand dune where the coast guard hut was, is being removed and again by the end of the week there will be a clear view of the sea from the entrance of the complex. It is all progressing very nicely. Those of you who are disheartned and can not see light at the end of the tunnel, do not despair as it seems to come together all of a sudden.
All the best for now
Adrian G15
Nice one Adrian - good to have some good news. Your experience on the snagging was the same as mine, got to be there to get it sorted. Hope Brian was of help to you.
ReplyDeletePlease have a beer for me when you are watching the sunset. When you come back (I assume you are coming back, but by the sound of it maybe not) would be good to speak to you. So keep all the contact details as you go along, this will be a help to the rest of us..
Congratulations Adrian! It's so encouraging to hear some good news - your comments really put a smile on my face when I read them this morning.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year Paul and all,
ReplyDeleteThis posting is really for Karen,
I don't know if you are aware, but we all would not be grouping together now if it wasn't for Chris Ruddland and Paul Haines, they have worked their socks off to keep us all together and "in the know". Don't let *** fool you into moving your money elsewhere, Sania Plage frontline is nearly finished, the developer hasn't gone bust, so ignore any lies that you may hear from the enemy! Stay in touch and don't be fooled.
Regards,
Michele.
Dear All
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to all and I hope you had good festive season.
I was wondering if those people who have completed, whether they as yet paid Martinez Ezechevarria,; as I have asked them to breakdown exactly what they have done for me? No surprise I have not received a breakdown but they keep promising to send but neever do they just keep asking for their fee.
I will pay in the end but they can wait especailly if they are not willing to give me breakdown.
I was just interested what others have done
Kind regards
Nik
Nik in response to your comment, I did not pay the lawyer the second half of their fees. I appreciate that some people may have had a good experience with them, but I did not. Told them they did very little and cost me money from their poor advice - so they will not be getting another penny from me without a fight. Happy to see them in court if they want to sue me. In fact I should be sueing them - I am hoping to join in with a legal action against them at some point.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year all Sania Plage Investors
ReplyDeleteI am back in the UK now after a couple of months away with 4 weeks at Sania Plage.
The apartment is finished now with all the snagging completed. It was quite a trying time, but with patience and persistence managed to achieve everything with some interesting experiences along the way.
Everything is shaping up well, coast guard hut gone and the block pavers being laid where it once stood.
I also had a couple of bad experiences I want to warn you about for those still competing. The notaire was insistent on payment for the community fees and would not release final paperwork before I paid it. I had already done so to Martinez, they were not available on the day to resolve it and not being sure of my facts until I returned to the UK had no option but to pay, to discover as I thought was included in my final payment demand, so the battle with Martinez continues on a different subject.
Also, one day after an horrendous storm my apartment (top floor pool facing) I experienced minor flooding, water had come from under the door of the opposite apartment and in to myne, this had not been resolved when I left, but is assumed a window must be broken or been left open and rain has come straight through. The ground floor corridor also gets flooded after high winds and rain, because the floor is not level comes in, but can not escape. Those of you who have the option for someone in Morocco to check out your apartment, I strongly recommend it, as it may be a little while before the developer gets round to ironing out these problems.
I have partly furnished the place now, this is quite an easy task to do on your own once once you get to know the lay of the land so to speak. Options are limited, thus making it easier!
I hope to return in February all being well and look forward to meeting some of you during the year ahead.
Adrian.
Thanks to Chris Rudland for pointing me to this blog.
ReplyDeleteI am a buyer (I have not yet been contacted about the closing date)at SP (first line). I have read the mixed reviews abouy Martinez. Are we committed to work with them only?
Any tips - besides the snagging (covered in detail)- that you can share based on your experiences would be great.
Suli V.
Hi Suli
ReplyDeleteMany apologies for the delay in replying to your post.
In of my experience of Martinez re completion on second line apartment, they are not overly helpful the main thing they were useful for was finding out the breakdown of final price. But be careful because there are some costs they ask you pay for, which if you want you can do yourself and so the fess they charge e.g. they were looking to charge 100 euros to get water and electricity connected but as you will have seen from Paul earlier post that it is possible for you to be able to do thsi yourself.
As to whether you use Martinez, that is your c all as to what you are most comfortable with, but I know owners of 2nd line apartments used a variety of different options, some used Martinez, others used Martinez but also dealt directly with notary and final group (which is the one that I am in) I dealt with with notary direct.
Notary is not the easiest person to deal with as he does not respond to be mails. The best way that I found was to go to the notary,s office and speak to him direct, which I did with my agent. The notary was able to confirm how much money I needed to send to him direct to enable completion abd I was able to agree with that he would not release the funds to the developers until my agent confirmed that the snagging was completed. The advantage for me in paying the notary direct was twofold:
1) I did not lose out on exchange rate by having to convert to euros to send the money to Martinez who then send it to Maroc in dirhams and saved the bank fe3es that Martinez ask you to pay
2)Also I was more in control(not totally) as to when the funds were released to developer. It also meant that as the funds were with notary, he has provided verbal assurance/gtee of sort (not convinced that it would hold up in court) that the developer would not be able to cancel the contract if completion date was after the date Martinez had advised me was final date. Via Martinez I recd threats threats from the developer was going to cancel(some people recd these via letter direct from the developer); but through my agent I was able to relay these to notary, who assured us that the contract would be cancelled and provided some assurance, which seems to be worked out, as I completed some time after the date given by the developer - even though not all my snagging list was complted but main things were.
In terms of snagging, the best advice that I can give you regarding this, is if you can to go over there and see your property, as I and others who were able to this found it helpful. Alot of people I know who completed, did the snagging list themselves with foreman on site. This seemed to work really well, but you do need to patience and you do need to keep chasing the developer. I personally did snagging list with my agent, who I then relied on to chase the builder and make ensure things were completed to acceptable standard, and this route has also worked.
The best advice or tip that I can give is that if you can is to visit the site yourself as soon as you can and see the notary, and also set some time aside to try to go over prior to completion and for completion yourself, as being in person in Morroco seems to help things faster than trying to do it all from the UK - I am sure there owners from second line who may be willing to rent thier apartment to you (mine is still not furnished). If when you are there, you need help then Paul has contact (see his posts) who maybe to help or you can employ an agent, as I have done or you could interview agents whlist over there and decide who is the best for you
I hope the above has been of some assistance, remember you can by pass Martinez to enable completion to take place, which will give you more control - but do not break off links with Martinez let them still keep feeding you information.
Kind regards
Nik
Hi all.
ReplyDeleteAs the front line seems to be moving nearer to completion I am considering funding a small part of the final payment via a mortgage. Does anyone have a contact regards a Moroccan mortgage ?
Regards Ian
Hi Ian
ReplyDeleteShort note to flag up an issue with regards to payment on your property, using a Moroccan mortgage. In the event that you decide to sell your property sometime in the future, there are serious issues in relation to the repatriation of funds - namely taking this money out of the country. There are severe restrictions limiting how much money can be removed each year.
To avoid this issue, you have to provide clear evidence that the money used to fund your purchase was foreign money - namely Sterling or Euros. Based on this fact, a Moroccan mortgage is the least preferred method of payment.
Hope this helps.
Steve.
Hi Eugene
ReplyDeleteHere is the notary's email address and telephone - a.elmandri@menara.ma
Tel:+212 539996966
But just to let you know that motary is not the best at answering email, so you may also wish to call him as well.
Nik
Dear All
ReplyDeleteOn a completly subject, I found this website -http://www.watg.com/?pageid=0BA14B9F-1372-6883-168B8D647C5C4553 - whihc appear to firm arcitects who say that they have designed Ritz Charlton htoel in Tamuda Bay area which will alos have Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. I was wondering if anyone has heard about this development and whether it will get built?
If the story is ture - that is big if - then I beleive it will good news all round
Nik
Dear All
ReplyDeleteFurther to Paul's pictures of the recent floods, there are clips on youtube, just put in Fayadan Mdiq 06-03-2010 in the search of You Tube
Kind regards
Nik
Dear All
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know that the Sofitel has changed to Barcelo Marina Smir
Nik
Thanks Nik - that is good news - stayed at a Barcelo hotel in Malaga and it was excellent. Looks like they have given it a much needed facelift. Rooms start at 85 Euro/night - hope the drinks at the bar are more affordable!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en-GB/Hotels/Morocco/MarinaSmir/MarinaSmir/Home
Hi All, at SP and the clear up after the floods is FANTASTIC. Credit to the guys on site.
ReplyDeleteWeather is also great about 20 degrees and full sun today. The King spent about 5 weeks here recently and the whole area made a huge effort to put thing back to normal after the worst floods in living memory according to a local taxi driver.
Hi all,
ReplyDeletewe returned from Sania last week.Picked up deeds from Notaire and asked why i was being charged for Amendis(water/elec connection) when this had already been paid for! was fobbed off about exchange rate etc....told him i will check with lawyers, but wont hold my breath.As for the site i was suprised how clean it was after the floods! still no paving on paths or entrances to apts,most of our snagging had been completed and we are happy with it (-: its been a long hard slog and we just want to try and enjoy it now.We met our neighbours again Pat & Steve(you always make me smile) who we hope to see again this year (Nik i will give you a bell this week)looking at returning end of May with the not so young kids coming up to 13&15 who have been going on about it for 4 years yes i did say 4 years...stayed a couple of nights in Spain & got the ferry from Ageciras-Ceuta which was miles better than we anticipated (thanks for the travel advice Paul & Nik)the border crossing was no problem but expect it will be crazy in summer.Furniture should be going in shortly and might have some alterations done regarding sockets lights etc(need a tv..any suggestions welcome).Still hope we can all meet up at some time and put all the sxxx we have been through behind us and have a laugh! and stick 2 fingers up to all that upset us along the way(if the spys are reading this YES THAT MEANS YOU).Speak soon everyone, stay safe & sane...Billy & Linda
Dear All
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know that Spanair has started to fly to tangiers from Malaga from 14 April. They seem to fly Wed & Sunday.
Regdard
Nik
Anyone got the full address of Sania, has it got a zip code or postcode. This is for insurance through intasure.
ReplyDeleteon my electricity bill it has address as Sania Plage, 93200 MDIQ
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any information on the hotel that was supposedly being built adjacent to the complex?
ReplyDeleteDear All
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know that Tangiers Med ferry passenger port has been opend buy the King and ferries now go from Algericas to Tangiers Med Port which is good news
Kind regards
Nik
Thanks Nik - that is very good news - can give that horrendous border crossing from Ceuta a miss from now on!
ReplyDeleteI am here till the 25th of August.
ReplyDeleteWeather was just right today...It was 32 degrees with a good cool breeze from the med. The night before last was uncomfortable.
It was hotter than the day, at 36 degrees
About 6pm a hot southerly wind started (from the Sahara, I pressume) which was like having a hairdryer in your face. Had to get to sleep on the terrace that night.
Need to re-think the airconditioning situation!
Earlier this week the roads have been packed going into M'diq but since the start of Ramadam it has been a lot quieter.
We managed to go to Chicos for a few beers before everywhere stopped serving Alcohol for Ramadan.
Although quieter, today we were in Marjane at 4pm and it was packed. The queue was long and no one seemed to have a problem when our credit card was declined.
The king left the area yesterday and he was spotted out and about a few times.
There have been major improvements and a lot of new light displays have been dotted around. The area is looking really smart.
I hope to put up some photos before we leave.
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeletegreat to hear some positive news,we were hoping to nip over from Spain last week but it did'nt happen )-;.Really wanted to check the progress! still hoping to get over this year to check out our apt/furniture etc. Aircon sounds like a must(-; have a great time and a safe return. Cheers Billy & Linda N6
Good Morning folks. Not been on site for a while and great to see updated photos and commentary. Thanks Paul.
ReplyDeleteWe are looking forward to furnishing appartment next spring and visiting Sania. Any recommendations for days out/places to eat would be most welcome.
Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but a friend of ours purchased an appartment in the Bella Vista complex in Cabo Negro (overlooking the golf coure). They have a 2 bed appartment on the 3rd floor with views of the sea and mountains. Unfortunately, due to a change in circumtances, they now need to sell. They purchased for 1,061.000 dirhams. If anyone is looking for a further investment or knows of anyone who may be, please contact Pauline Godley on 01302 815999
Hi Brandon
ReplyDeleteIn terms of days out next year, if you have car then visiting Chefcaouen which is in the mountains and Alisiah on ther other side of Atlantic are worth a day out but they are fair old drive away.
Also a day in Casbar in Tangiers in interesting, but I would not recommend driving into Tangiers (unless you are very brave) but you could drive to near the airport and get a taxi in.
If you like fresh fish and basic conditions then the harbour in Mdiq is good, as the fish off the boats is barbqued there and then for you.
In Mdiq there is shop called Ali Baba (not joking) it is bit of touristy shop but it has inetresting moroccan furniture/lamps, fabrics and bits and pieces not too bad a price.
I am going out next week and hope to do some more exploring, so if I come across anything interesting I will post it on the blog.
Kind regards
Nik
Dear All
ReplyDeleteReturned recently from a visit to Sania. the weather great and landscaping is looking really good, but pools not very clean and inviting. I noticed by Kablia Vista there is sign up forRitz Carlton Resort which is going to developed there and it will include a golf course.
Just a word of warning for those of you going Sania, unfortunately I had a theft from my apartment (some money, laptop and mobile). Upon looking into, apparently other residents on site have had similar problems, so make sure to keep valuables locked way especially when you pop out. Apparently the thief is getting in via open windows but this is confirmed, so take care. This has not put me off Sania and personally I still feel safe on sight but I will be that little more carefully going forwards
Regards
Nik
Hi Nik,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the loss of your items - and thanks for the warning. I will be out there soon, so will be need to be a lot more vigilant than I was during the summer. Seem to remember that you are on a higher level, so mind boggles how they can get in without anyone noticing. That's if there is anyone about, I hear the number of staff/security on site has fallen off to only a handful?
Are the pools being maintained now it is 'out of season'? Is at least one useable?
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteYou are right, my apartment is on the top floor facing the road, so I am not sure how the thief got in without being noticed - but I suspect they got access via the property next door which is empty and so either got onto the roof and then dropped down on the balcony. Also with garages being open, it easy enough for some to enter a block unnoticed even if the front door is locked.
The development was very quiet and I suspect that security staff numbers have been reduced from the summer, I believe that there were 4 or 5; usually 2 at the front gate and 2 on beach site and occasionally one of them may wonder round.
Re the swimming pools, the one closest to what is supposed to hotel site was being cleaned when we there and was in not too condition a bit green but I would say usable. The other pool (petrol station side) had a lot of litter in and was not usable.
Have a great time there, as I understand that few of the UK owners are going to over around the time you are going over.
Regards
Nik
P.S. I like the redesign of the blog
Dear All
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note to remind one and all couoncil tax is due on your property in Sania my bill for 2010 was 3733 MAD. As I understand it the council does not sent a bill nor reminders, you just end up racking up penalty payment, so take care.
Sorry about being the bearer of bad news.
Kind regards
Nik
Thanks Nik,
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember it was mentioned when I bought the property that new builds were supposedly exempt from council tax for the first 5 years....anyone remember this or have any information on it?
See below 3 references to the council/property tax being exempt for new buids for the first 5 years. Anyone know the actual story on this one? Locals have said to me that they don't chase you for the money for 5 years.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone asked the Notary?
Property Tax (Taxe d’habitation..
New buildings are exempted from the tax for a 5-year period following
http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Middle-East/Morocco/Taxes-and-Costs
Municipal taxes (rates). Exempt for the first five years and then between 10% -30% of the yearly rental value of the property with a reduction of 75% if it is your main dwelling. (http://www.moroccoproperties.net/moreinfo/)
Exception from urban tax for five years for all new constructions. (http://hipproperties.com/maroc.php)
Happy Days!!
ReplyDeleteeasyJet launches Liverpool to Gibraltar route
easyJet, the UK’s largest and best value airline, has today (Thursday 25 November) launched a brand new route to Gibraltar from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The low-fares airline is now offering a three-times-weekly service from Liverpool to Gibraltar with fares starting from just £27.99 (one-way, including taxes). Seats are now on sale and the inaugural flight will leave Liverpool on Tuesday 29 March 2011.
Have booked a few easyjet flights this evening and will try the Liverpool to Gibraltar route (all at about £60 return). Well chuffed.
ReplyDeleteOnly Ryanair can top that by introducing a flight from Liverpool to Tangier direct!
If I can get a ferry from Gibraltar to Tangier Med even better.
Anyone travelled from Gibraltar and got any tips on the best way to do it?
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeletethinking of booking flights to Gib at easter! when are you going? would be good to meet up on Sania so i can pick your brains (over a beer of course)it will be the first time the kids have visited!. Have a great Xmas and hope to see you in the new year, same go's to all Sania owners. Cheers Billy & Linda N6
Hi Billy,
ReplyDeleteWe are there 5-16 April (our schools easter break has been shifted this year to an early spring break). If you or anyone else out there at that time, would be good to meet up.
Paul
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeletebooked flights for the 14th April-23rd so it would be good to get together before you leave!We have done the ferry crossing to Ceuta from Agerciras but this will be the first time we have flown to Gibraltar! so i will have to do my homework on getting to Algerciras from Gib! Have you hired a car in Morocco? any info on car hire would be appreciated, looking at returning in early August all being well! Hope your Xmas went well. Cheers Billy&Linda.
Oh & if your reading this Nik, Steve&Pat hope you are well and hope to see you in Sania in the not to distant future(preferably April)(-:
Hi Billy,
ReplyDeleteI have alwayd used Steve to sort out car hire. He can be contacted through his website...
http://www.pmcmorocco.com/index.php/home
Another planned upmarket hotel in the area?
ReplyDeleteGeneral Hotel Management Ltd (GHM) is a market leader in conceptualising, developing and operating an exclusive group of hotels and resorts worldwide. With an expansive portfolio and several more in the pipeline, GHM prides itself in providing guests with a distinctive lifestyle experience that is unrivalled. GHM properties currently under development include the following hotels and resorts worldwide:
The Chedi, Tamouda Bay, Morocco
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteThe link to the car hire is coming up as invalid.
Alan
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteI have had problems trying to put links to Steve's website before...I don't know why.
The company is PMC, and if the link does not work try to google it, but if you type www.pmcmorocco.com into your browser it should work
Got it now thanks.
ReplyDeleteHope you are OK and look forward to meeting up this coming year!
Alan
Check out the 'Morocco Therapy' website from the tourist board....can be found in the useful links
ReplyDeletehello
ReplyDeleteHello Everyone,
ReplyDeleteIt has been a while since I posted anything here and thought I would update now that I am actually at Sania presently.
We arrived by car and crossed into Morocco via the Ceuta border, got that border crossing down to a fine art now, from arriving at the spanish side to cruising down the Moroccan highway in less than 20 mins.
We arrived and there was evidence of big floods again, the garages still full of dirty water, but over the course of five days or so the clean up process of the roads and pavements etc has returned the site to its former glory and looks very nice under the bright blue sky and glorious sunshine, temperatures still only 11 degress, but pleasant.
One pool is out of action, but at 11 degress, that is not a problem.
The apartment was found just like I had left it back in September, with no horror stories to report, this time dry inside due to the bigger drains fitted to the terrace which has obviously coped with the heavy rain that has fallen plus as an extra security measure put a sand bag up against the terrace door as well as the front door. The windows in the lounge have let a bit of rain in judging by the plaster bubbling.
Last time I was here, I got robbed big style and was reliably informed that it was done by 3 painters who have since be fired. I thought it was an isolated experience, only to discover that it is not the case, I decide to fit security shutters this week and whilst taking the materials from the car to the apartment, leaving the door open and unattended for less than 5 mins, I later realised that I was relieved of my iphone.
There was only the one time that both of us were not in the apartment, the entire block is empty, as in no other residents.
By absolute chance Nelly remembered seeing one of the workers in the block and we reported the incident and pointed out to Mohamed on security,the person who was seen, of which he was questioned. A satisfactory answer was not obtained and as suspicion was getting greater, the accused insisted on searching the apartment to help us find it, this took place after he had been to the main office, we were not keen, but due to the language barrier and his persistance it happened almost out of our control. Then as if a miracle had happened he found it behind a dressing table that he pulled out, the same very dressing table I pulled out earlier in a frantic attempt looking for it! All very strange, but true.
Twice now I have personally experienced thefts out of my apartment, you can not afford to leave any window or door open if unattended, because if you do something will go missing. Small expensive items like cameras, phones wallets etc that can be put in a pocket or under a shirt and not be noticed if you pass them in the corridor. Lesson learnt to be more vigilant, which is difficult for me as I live in an area in the UK where I can leave the car keys in the ignition all night and still see the car parked in the driveway the following morning!
I just hope who reads this will be on their guard next time they visit Sania and their visit will not spoiled.
Anyway all is well now and enjoying the place, just returned from a stroll round M'diq and visiting the evening street market, truly amazing seeing all the fresh produce for sale and all the locals going about their daily business.
Hope to meet up with other apartment owners at some point.
All the best Adrian and Nelly
Hi Billy, Nik and Paul,
ReplyDeleteWe will be visiting Sania in April but will not be arriving until April 23rd. Going by expensive route Royal Air Maroc but it is direct Heathrow to Tangiers. We thought we may see a number of you over Easter but as Paul has already stated Easter has been brought forward this year. Billy - for your info I would advise that you spend some of the summer e.g hot weather before putting in Air con as both Steve and I visited late August early September last year and we found our Apt AOK without it. As you are above us I would think that you should be OK also. Hope to see you all soon.
Regards Steve and Pat
Hi Billy and Linda,
ReplyDeleteDid you make it to Sania Plage? Sorry to have missed you, kept looking out but as we left handy on the 16th our paths didn't have enough time to cross!!
Paul
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeletesorry we missed you on Sania! the weather was awful )-; was not impressed with the progress on the hotel or the basements ! we had a car so got out and about also went to the restaurant you found the cockroach in ! thankfully they was closed (-; we are going back for a few days at the end of June going to decide if we are selling or keeping our apt ! been a long journey and i still believe this is an up and coming area and a sound investment.
Speak again later going out now!
Billy & Linda
Sorry we missed everyone at this time. We arrived on Easter Saturday and returned on the 3rd May the weather was mixed although I don't think it was as bad as Billy and Linda experienced. I spoke with Brahiem who tells me that they are currently working on the satelite dishes and they are changing them for a better system. They are also going to paint the whole of the outside of the complex before the summer season in fact he was discussing this with the contractor whilst we were there. He also informed us that they are widening the water channels onto the beach and that the governor has said that he will be addressing the site where all the debris originates from into Sania (not sure when this will take place) So building on Pauls info with regard to the pumping stations the situation has to get better!!!
ReplyDeleteBraheim also said that the builder is hoping to hand over the complex to a syndicate sometime this year so we will need to be aware of when this will take although I believe he will have to inform us in writing beforehand.
We think there is some value in discussing how owners in the UK would see the syndicate working and how we would get the correct representation. Has anyone else thought about this?
Regards
Pat and Steve
Does anyone have braheim email address please?
ReplyDeletePat and Steve
Hi all
ReplyDeleteJust back from a flying visit. Arrived late Thursday and left early Saturday morning. I have selected all my furniture and fittings and arranged for someone to go in, clean, and fit out. Total cost was just under £4K and I am very happy with the quality. On the face of it, the development is very pleasant. The pools were clean and being used. However, the car parks are STILL full of stinking stagnant water, and there is considerable damp in the communal areas. It is not a pretty sight. On a positive note, M'Diq is looking superb and was bustling day and night.
posted a photo of a new burger and ice-cream restaurant that has opened up in the new port at M'Diq. Looked impressive - did not go in as we had just eaten - but will definitely be going there next time.
ReplyDeleteThe new M'Diq port shopping area is looking really smart and work is cracking on
Discussion - can we have some please?
ReplyDeleteI viewed the stats for this blog, and it gets a surprisingly good number of views (surprising to me!) from all over the place - but very few people leave any comments.....any feedback as to why this is? I can only assume that the great number of possible English speaking owners we had at one time has evaporated. All pulled out, or did not complete for other reasons.
Whilst a blog is often a personal type diary of experiences...this was never intended to be so....It has always stated at the top it was intended for apartment owners to help and inform each other. Those that know me will say that I am fairly quiet and reserved, more a listener than a talker, and so this blog was never supposed to be about me, me , me! In truth I am a fairly private person and I don't normally talk much about me at all!
So I was considering closing down this blog. Is there anyone out there who thinks this blog may have any future use or merit at all? If so, start posting about how it could be more useful, about anything morocco, Sania Plage, the area, your experiences. If there are the Sania Plage owners out there and this blog is of no value to them, then it should become redundant.
Here are some of the stats I mentioned above:
ReplyDelete13,000 page views.
Sometimes over 400 views on specific days.
On average there are 1,000 views per month.
Most people come directly to this blog, and those that find it from searches...the VAST majority enter 'sania plage owners blog' or some variation of it in the search engine.
Views by country are as follows:
United Kingdom 8,445
Ireland 1,777
Morocco 824
United States 443
Spain 304
France 239
Netherlands 123
Jersey 106
Germany 89
Japan 40
So I can only conclude that lots of people regularly view this blog (by specifically seeking it out)but only a handful comment.
Is it that they simply can't be bothered, or is there more to it than that?
IF YOU HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO READ THIS THEN PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO COMMENT - ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE NEVER POSTED BEFORE. OTHERWISE THE NEXT TIME YOU SEEK OUT THIS BLOG IT MAY SAY 'NO LONGER AVAILABLE'
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteI often visit the blog and have on occasions asked questions. The replies have been very useful. I haven't been to Sania Plage for a year so it is really useful to see how much things have changed and improved in that time. I hope the website does continue.
Mark E8
I have only posted a few times, but would check the site a couple of times a month for updates. I agree that it could probably be used a lot more by owners and I, for one would miss the site if it was to close as we don't get out to Sania Plage as often as we would like to - so appreciate any news from owners who have been out for a visit. I also appreciate the time and effort that has gone (and continues to go) into maintaining the site, so please Paul, give it a little longer.
ReplyDeleteJust a small query - is it possible to have newest comments at the top of the page, rather than having to scroll to the bottom?
Hi Hilary,
ReplyDeleteI will try and reverse the postings - but sure it is possible with blogger....
Hilary,
ReplyDeleteI have changed the comment format so a pop-up box appears. If you click 'jump to comment form' at the top it brings you straight to the comment box without the need to scroll down all the past comments. Leave me feedback - is it better?
I'm one of those doing the reading and not posting I'm sorry to say, but your comment is a spur to be more active. I certainly find the site really useful and hope you keep it going. One thing I think would be helpful is to try to build up a picture of the state of play of the development as a whole and the future plans. Info like how many apartments are still unsold, and the developer's plans/timescales around getting some of the commercial units open and plans for the hotel. Presumably through the Syndique would be one route to try to get this sport of information.
ReplyDeleteSteve Webster (H3)
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteWelcome! You may have seen that the new syndique posted contact details on the forum yesterday, they should be able to tell you something about the site development plans. If you find anything out - post it.
At the meeting to elect the syndique in July it was stated that the developer still had approx 50 apartments unsold. I assume this includes the apartments that are subject to ongoing legal actions....
Thanks Paul, I prefer the pop-up box method (I know it's the height of laziness when you can't be bothered scrolling down a page!)
ReplyDeleteAnother query (see what you've started) - you have mentioned on a couple of postings that you have posted photos, (of Marjane and syndic meeting) but I can't find them. Can you direct me?
Dear Paul
ReplyDeleteFurther to your recent, I would like to tahnk you for the time and effort that you have put in running setting up and running the blog; which I believ is useful tool for owners of Sania Plage to share information and help build a community especailly as we all live in various parts of the world.
I appreciate that I ahve not posted anything for some time, but this is beacuse for various reasons, I until today have not had a chance to go out Sania so I did not have anything of value to share with people. I am flying out 3rd Sept and will be there for 2 weeks, so if anyone is there at the same time then please feel free to pop into N16 for coffee; or there is anything that anyone would like me to find out whilst I an then let me know via the blog and try my best to find out.
For my part, I hope you feel able to keep the blog gping, but if you feelits time has come to an end then I fully understand and appreciate all your efforts.
Jus a reminder to all, I beleive that Council tax is due but the council does not send reminders they roll up the amount and penalties due for a period of time.
Nik
N16
Hi Nik,
ReplyDeleteThanks - actually blog does not take too much time....just a bit confused as to how a lot of people look at this website, but not many comments are left.
Where do you pay the taxes...is it by the police station in M'diq?
Will be out myself again in October - need an antidote to the appalling August weather here in rainy Liverool!
Dear Paul
ReplyDeleteI am Sania, it very hot and relatively busy whihc is good to see. I will find out where you have pay the council tax and post it.
The King has just left the area. The word is that he has bought 5 front line aprtments for Major Generals, which I take to very good sign and should ensure that development is kept in good condition; I personally see it as vote of confidence in the development.
Also I discovered that poolside first floor apartmnet has been soldon for over !,3 million dirham, which shows there seems to market for the apartments.
That is all I ahve for now, if I find anyhting else whihc may be interest to group, then I will post it later on.
Nik
N16
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteI found this site which gives a lot of very useful info. Hope it might help.
http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Middle-East/Morocco/roundtrip-cost
Steve N8 (one day)
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteWe find the blog very very useful. I am sure that as the site/syndique grows into a more mature state it will become more and more useful (just as it helped us when we were deciding to purchase or not to purchase) I hope that this continues as it keeps everyone informed of what is going on (or not as the case may be)We are coming over in October (have still to book the flights) so we may yet meet with you and put a face to the Sania blog. One question I do have is with regard to council tax I thought (as I believe you did at one time) that we were exempt for 5 years is this not the case?
Regards to all Sania Plage owners Pat and Steve
Dear All
ReplyDeletePaul_the council tax is paid at the council offices next to police station.
In terms of development around the area, I see going towards Fnidiq the new resport by Bayan Tree called The Chedi is being being built. If you do goole seraches on The Chedi, then if this one is anything the others it should be class act and so whihc is further good news. In regards to the Ritz Charlton site, they seem to have sarted some of the work re draining the marshes, which is further positive sign.
Apparently the govenor of the are has not promoted this are for tourism yet, until they ahve enough beds and hotels. Also the mid term plan is improve Tetouan airport so that it becomes an international airport. I personally have mixed feeling about this is this all, it is v good re investment in my apartment but I will be sad when thsi relatively undiscovered and out season quite spot disappears.
Take Care
Nik (N16)
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very beneficial for uk owners of other developments.
The Alkudia blog has dried up.
The King was around quite alot this summer. He came back at the end of Ramadan and opened the Fnideq mosque. I know his motorcade slowed down when he passed Alkudia.
There is a nice restaurant in fnideq called Marmara. The decor is very good. The food is quite nice, not that much on the menu yet- burgers, paninis, lasagna, spag bol, pizza and the like. The icecream and juices are better and it is worth a visit, especially as they have gone to such an effort to make it attractive to foreigners.
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteIt's Frank here, from Apt D6 front line. I'm one of the 'guilty' ones that rarely leave any comments. I do, however, log on to the blog occasionally, sometime often and sometime not so often. But, I must say that I have found the blog very useful, and for that I wish to thank you also for setting it up and maintaining it. I am a regular visitor to Sania . . I'm actually going on my 4th visit this year tomorrow 28th Sept for a brief w/e visit. Atmittedly, my visits have mostly to do with the work I am having carried out in the Apartment. I am appalled with the 'quality' of the developers work, so I decided to improve on that myself (with good help from Brian Clifford - thanks Brian if you see this!) The bits of snagging repairs I managed to have done by the developer was just as bad as what was there in the first place. Despite this I'm generally happy with the complex as a whole, especially the location. Also nice to see the great improvements of the whole stretch from M'Diq up to Ceuta that has taken place since we first came in 2006. And with the continuing developments and improvements taking place (don't they know the world is 'in crisis'?)makes me believe that it not only will be a great investment but also a place in which I want to spent lots of time in the future!
By the way, as you may recall, we met briefly this summer in the rather nice restaurant in M'Diq, the name escapes me, is it'Karima' or something like that? Great food at cheap prices in a clean (almost european)interior. I can highly recommed it to anyone. Perhaps you remember the correct name, in case someone else may want to try it out?
Anyway,enough from me for now. I'll try to be a more 'active' follower and post any comments/advise I may have.
So, please don't close down the blog! Thank you Paul.
Best, Frank
Hi Frank,
ReplyDeleteThanks - want to encourage use of the blog, not seeking praise - but appreciated. Always good to have as many perspectives on Sania Plage as possible.
Yes that restaurant is great, but I too have a bit of a mental block on remembering the name (must be something to do with the fact that I go from there to chicos and have a few drinks). It is called something like Kamila? but it is close to the fire station - and you can't miss it - sticks out like a sore thumb cos it is so well presented.
Have a good trip - if you go to that new burger place in the M'Diq new port please post on it.....
Which reminds me I should add a category of places to visit/of interest/to eat/drink etc
Paul
Hi Paul/Helen and family
ReplyDeleteI check the blog most days and always enjoy the posts although I am guilty of never posting myself. I feel it would be very sad for it not to continue. Seamus and I were over in Sania for 2 weeks in June and met with Nik and Julie and had a most enjoyable time. The new burger restaurant at the harbour in Mdiq looks quite impressive, although we did not eat there but will try it on our next visit. We will be there again from the 13th -20 Oct. I see from the blog that Steve and Pat will be out there also and are very welcome to call, we are at N10. We hope you continue with the blog Paul, we appreciate the time, effort and the info it provides.
Nuala and Seamus
Hi Nuala,
ReplyDeleteWe are also back in October, but will just miss you.
We are flying out on 20th, but this time we are going to Marrakesh for a couple of nights. We will then brave the overnight sleeper train back to Tanger to spend a week at SP. In truth (after the setting up bit) this blog takes little effort on my part. Just that is will be of little use if owners do not take some time to post their experiences.
I have just added a 'places to visit' category, so if you have any recommendation from your experiences please add there....
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteJust returned from a 4 day stay at Sania Plage. It was very quiet, the only sign of any occupancy was a couple of parked cars. Didn't actually see both pools, but the one by my apartment was empty and receiving some kind of attention (saw 4 'berber looking' women doing what looked like cleaning scrubbing the floor). The tennis court had progressed since July, now with full height fence all around and the 2 net poles erected, so hey, it might just be ready for next summer (any players 'out there'?) Weather was not as good as in England, 'only' about 25 degrees, windy and
cloudy, but no rain! Quite a few workers around, doing gardening and various repairs (I assume) and 'security guards'
wandering around the site. I noticed that there is still work going on at the Ritz Carlton development. In fact I was told by one of the waiters at the Barcelo Hotel that it's going to a 7* hotel (I just nodded and tried to look impressed!) - however, he did give give me a link to a computerized 'fly-through' video of the development, which I will invite everyone to watch. If the development actually materialise, it will add to the prestige of the area (like it or not!). Here's the web link: http://vimeo.com/19439505 - enjoy!
Enough from me for now.
Thanks for the info Frank - the promo video looks very impressive and I was pleased to see Sania Plage featuring in the introduction.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if you noticed the state of the proposed site for the hotel adjacent to Sania Plage, as the last time we visited, our apartment was overlooking a bit of a nature reserve and the frogs kept my husband awake half of the night!
Hilary - there is a recent post from Nik about the hotel site in Updates topic.
ReplyDeleteSays work appears to be starting, so the frog chorus may become a thing of the past...
Hillary,
ReplyDeleteI didn't actually have a look at the hotel site, sorry, so I have no idea what's happening there . . as Paul, I refer to Nik's recent post!
Just back from S.P. met with members of the Syndique and checked with them on our obligation situation in regard to this council tax, this liability is totally independent from the community fees which also need to be paid, there appears to be some confusion as to liability on this council/rubbish tax. The situation is that it has to be paid from the date you closed on the apt. The local authority will not send you a bill they simply add a fine to your amount each year.
ReplyDeleteWe have found the Syndique very helpful and transparent in our dealings with them
Often visit the blog and we appreciate your hard work .
ReplyDeleterafidasha
Having returned from Sania this time was most impressed with the site maintenance for the gardens and the swimming pool in fact swam in the pool for the first time ever!!
ReplyDeleteWork is continuing on the hotel and the foundations were being put in as well as shoring up the enbankment for the roadside to our complex. I believe the syndique are driving this with the builder. For any of you who has paid for community fees with the notary you are due a refund for which the syndique will manage for you. Since our return they now have a cheque from the notary for our apartment. Let us hope the good work continues.
Regards
Steve and Pat
I finally went along to pay my council taxes - it was 3,600Dhms per year. I had 2 years to pay with some fines thrown in for late payment...ah well, certainly beats my council tax bill in Liverpool!
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteThis may not be news to all, but it was to me! I've just managed to get a direct return flight with Royal Air Maroc from London to Tangier for an amazing £163 (which includes a £14 travel insurance). That pretty much matches EasyJet (with a plane change in Madrid) Apparently R A M only fly direct on Saturdays and Tuesdays. When I tried in the past I could only find flights via Casablanca! Perhaps it's a seasonal thing. Admittedly, it's not exactly High season right now!
Anyway, if anyone is out there between 14th and 28th Jan it would be good to meet up!
Regards
Frank
D6 (front)
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteWe are hoping to visit over Easter and were wondering if anyone could recommend a decent car hire? Have only been over twice before and not great experiences with car hire on either occasion!
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what the situation is in regards to the Refuse Collection Tax?
Every bit of Moroccan tax advice I can find on the internet, says new building are exempt for 5 year!
Also mentioned on: http://www.saniaplage.net/faq.html
Thanks,
Anouar
F11
I've heard that owners of Sania Plage will be able to stay at the new Ritz Carlton hotel for free once it's complete!!
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary,
ReplyDeleteI have used Steve Shaw several times for car hire - and always a good experience. They can arrange for car to meet you at apartment, border, airport or wherever suits you....
should be able to contact through his website http://www.pmcmorocco.com/
Paul
p.s. booked last minute flights there from 3rd - 12th April....are you there too? Be good to meet up
Anouar,
ReplyDeleteI have posted about this subject before.....lots of internet references to tax exemptions for 5 years, but the bottom line is when people enquire they are told to pay.
I did and I needed to pay my local taxes.....problem is if you don't pay they keep adding hefty fines on top of what you owe.
Paul
"I've heard that owners of Sania Plage will be able to stay at the new Ritz Carlton hotel for free once it's complete!!".......just looking forward to the day when Sania Plage is complete!
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we are just arriving on Thursday 12th - we'll probably pass in the airport. Hopefully another time :-)
Thanks Paul,
ReplyDeleteI don't have much choice about paying as they deduct the money from my Moroccan bank account with out any kind of permission :)
Anouar
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteAs you you can see I can now update.
Many thanks
Regards,
Pat
Has anyone stayed at Sania during Ramadam? If so, is anything open during this time and are you still able to purchase alcohol at the supermarket in Marina Smur and M'diq and also in the restaurant. Can
ReplyDeleteMy experience at Ramadan has been that it is a quiet time in that area. The bars in M'Diq close down for the whole month.....and obviously all the other food and drink places are closed during the day. Things get very lively in the evening though! Also found that some of the restaurants that serve alcohol closed down as well. We could get alcohol in Marjane, but needed to ask them to open up the section especially, and they need to see your passport........best stock up beforehand!
ReplyDeleteHowever we went to Asilah during this time and restaurants were open as normal and serving alcohol, I think some designated tourist areas are exempt, but i am no expert.I think i have been there 3 times during Ramadan in various months and the vibe is very different for sure
Thank you Paul, that is very helpful. Would it be an idea to take alcohol in from Spain or Ceuta and do you think this would be alright to get through the border. We plan to go out in March and shall be doing some research, but your view would be very welcome.
ReplyDeleteAlso we notice you were out in September. Is this month busy as Hatim seemed to think is was much quieter and not very good for rentals.
Last few times I have travelled has been through Gibraltar.....and have always stocked up there with alcohol as it was really good value. I have also been to the supermarkets in Ceuta and they are fairly cheap too. I have never had a problem going through the border with booze - never been searched. That being said it was well hidden in my case - as I'm sure it is best not to advertise the fact. Even if they do stop you, if you are carrying a sensible amount say 2 litres per person then there shouldn't be an issue.
ReplyDeleteI have had to put the security feature on for anyone wanting to leave a comment on this blog. This is due to the ridiculous amount of spammers trying to post nonsense on this blog. I can get up to 10 emails a day from these clowns, so hopefully this will cut the amount of spam....sorry for the inconveniece, just mean you will need to enter a security code to post your comment.
ReplyDeletehas anyone had an internet line fitted in their apartment?
ReplyDeleteIf so how painful was the process and how reliable the and result? Any tips or advice on this subject would be appreciated.
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteI guess you are back in the UK by now?
I had broadband (& wifi) installed last summer. It went relatively smooth. I arranged it through Maroc Telecom in Marjane. I guess you can also arrange it at the Maroc Telecon shop In M'Diq for convenience.
I haven't been to Sania since last summer, but plan to be back from around 12 July for 4 weeks.
Perhaps see you then.
Frank
I was wondering if anyone knows how the postal 'service' works in Morocco or, more specifically, at Sania Plage/M'Diq?
ReplyDeleteI'm expecting post this summer and want to make sure I receive it!
Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanking you in anticipation
Frank
(D6 front)
Good question.....
ReplyDeleteAll I ever get in the post are bills from Amendis....they seem to be delivered to and can be collected from the syndique office
I now know the answer:
ReplyDeleteNo post deliveries, except within M'Diq itself (3 postmen apparently!).
Solution is to open a post box at the M'Diq Post Office =
220dhs (£17) for 12 months. For that you get a small box + key. There's a separate entrance from the street to the 'Post Box Room)
That is useful to know Frank.
ReplyDeleteI guess you are there at the moment....have a good holiday!!
Jo all.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me if Vista Rent are still operating? They are not responding to e mails.
We have not been able to get out to Morocco as often as we had hoped and have reluctantly decided to sell. Has anyone had any experience in this area or can offer any advice?
ReplyDeleteJust returned after a short break. Complex and gardens looking very tidy, with more than half apartments having been painted.
ReplyDeleteHilary
There has obviously been some busy people at SP since last summer.......the complex is gradually transforming into the development I hoped for, and time will bring a mature feel......any rough edges are slowly but surely disappearing. Most noticeable changes since last summer are the amount of new colourful flower beds around, and the substantial planting process at perimeters and edgings that will have a big impact when they mature. The swimming pools have been sectioned off with such planting. So security is very visible and effective, entry to pool is via a gate and with an bracelet provided by The Syndique. New road Barriers have been installed at each section entrance and activated for car entry by a card again provided by Syndique. I have had no issues accessing my allocated parking space and when another car appeared there it was swiftly moved (unlike last year when a car had been left in my space and didn't move for the whole of my stay and no one had an idea whose car it was!!!) Also some underground garages appear to be in use......and hooray a supermarket on site well stocked with a good variety of stuff selling everything you really need including fruit and veg...
ReplyDeleteWith 15DH to the £ at the moment I am finding things even better value!!!!!! One such example is a local sim for my phone......I put 50DH credit on and got 1Gb of Internet access for 2 weeks - perfect....(hence this post), 4 hours of talk time and 400 texts all for just over 3 quid and this credit lasts for a whole year...unbelievable ......compare this to the text I got from EE my UK provider on arrival 'Welcome to Morocco. Calls cost £1.50/min to make/receive. Texts £0.50,
ReplyDeleteFor a data add-on that lasts 7 days text: D4 (50MB £60).'
What a joke......what a UK rip off!
So if you come to Morocco......phone your mobile company before you leave (they all must do this unless you are very early into a contract) and tell them to unlock your phone, or get it unlocked here and buy a local sim! It will save you a lot of £££££
I have been unable to visit the complex for a couple of years and with such positive news about the improvement of the complex, is it possible to post some photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Mark E8
Will try and add some updated photos Mark when I get back to the UK
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteMark E8
Another development in the area is the building of a 5* Marriott Hotel.....this is in the space in front of Puerto Marina, so very close to Sania Plage....progress is already significant on this build.
ReplyDeleteThe Sofitel looks complete at the entrance to M'Diq, and the Ritz Carlton carries at a pace (but given this is a huge site and development I guess it will take time)
Just a heads up for anyone renting through Vista. We have been swindled out of 80 000 Dirhams rental money they owe us. They do not reply to any communications.
ReplyDeleteI have received an e mail from Hatim at Medlantic properties who states he knows of someone who is looking to buy a property in Sania Plage.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone else has had a similar e mail or if they have dealt with Hatim before
Mark (E8)
I take it that you didn’t sell your apartment Mark? We’ve just had a similar email (although not from Hatim) but it all looked very suspicious as the sender didn’t say how he came by my email address. We’d like to sell our apartment and would appreciate any advice (we have serious trust issues due to past experiences) on both selling and repatriating income from rental as that’s another issue that we’re currently up against.
DeleteHi I wondered if anyone has been to the complex recently and seen how it has developed over the last couple of years?
ReplyDeleteMark (E8)
As travel was mostly impossible in 2020, with no end in sight in 2021, its been a while since I could visit Sania Plage from the UK. Lat visit was back in April 2019. I think Morocco has been under big restrictions due to Covid like most countries.
ReplyDeleteAny news from anyone on Sania Plage would be appreciated
Maybe this is old news but I’ve just discovered that Sania Plage has its own Facebook page, for anyone interested in what’s going on about the complex
ReplyDelete