Dear Grace,
In the end the president needed to hear it direct, because as another resident puts it ‘it goes in one ear and out the other with me’. I know you will smile when you read this.
Love David.
The note to the President of the Autocratic Communal Committee of Playmar Aparments
El President,
Being direct, I feel like my concerns are being ignored, or the response is always a “no.” I’ve felt this way for a while, which is why I’ve been pushing harder recently. I’m also highlighting those small efforts—like getting a few quotes or encouraging people to join a WhatsApp group— can make a big difference.
I pay €600 annually in community fees, yet I can’t use the pool in summer because it’s overrun by guests renting apartments. I don’t believe a sign limiting pool use to six people per apartment will solve this issue. When I suggest improving the appearance of the building’s front, the response is “we agreed to do that in the future,” but I find no record of this in the minutes. Similarly, I see no documentation about decisions like installing the handrail. Some actions and decisions feel arbitrary and lack transparency.
With the painting, perhaps it is wise to ask all residents if they would like the front painted and what colour? I, for one, prefer white. What does the majority wish for? The risk otherwise is that matters escalate with number 36, we subsequently find white was what the majority wanted.
We are also overpaying for third-party services. Adobe isn’t fulfilling its obligations, and now there’s the ongoing issue with the post boxes, which are exposed to (at best damp and unfit for purpose. The minutes seem to only cover legal action and surcharges, setting a precedent in terms of tone and purpose of the community and Adobe.
Yet I wonder if there had been better communications, between various individuals, whether related issues could have been avoided. A couple of years back, I had one issue addressed but having a conversation with my neighbour.
I am now taking a similar tack to the precedence that has been set, proposing introducing a premium fee for property owners who rent their apartments to offset communal service costs. Additionally, I have sent a letter to Adobe regards their compliance with contractual obligations.
I ask again: what am I paying €600 per year for? Certainly not for community benefits (aside from the handrail) or direct benefit as a property owner/resident. My fees seem to go toward Adobe time for legal activity against residents, annual paperwork by Adobe, and pool cleaning and maintenance — for a pool I can’t even use.
To be clear, I don’t object to the handrail if it improves safety, but the broader situation needs addressing.
I acknowledge that the role of the president and the committee can often be a thankless task. It is clear you need more support. The current status quo cannot continue. My fear, otherwise, is that things will escalate further.
Note this message is not a formal complaint. However, it’s worth having a read as to what actions individual owners can take, after a formal complaint is submitted.
