Scores of people risk their investment by letting illegally on the island of Crete, Greece
Greece, Hellenic Republic (Press Release) November 18, 2007 --
Increasing numbers of British and European second home owners and independent holidaymakers are finding there way to Crete, which is experiencing an unprecedented property building boom. Local builders, and international property developers alike, are clamouring to purchase land and plots to satisfy the, seemingly insatiable, demand for holiday and retirement homes on the largest of the Greek Islands.
But how many prospective buyers realise that it is illegal to rent their homes via Do-It-Yourself holiday websites, or even to rent to friends or work colleagues without the correct permissions from the Greek authorities? All rental properties must be registered and inspected by E.O.T, the Greek Tourist Board, and this can add anything up to £7000.00 to the purchase price. No wonder, then, that some Real Estate Agents fail to mention this. If you intend to rent your property, ensure that you get a guarantee from the builder, developer or agent, that it will be able to obtain this certification.
But what if a customer has an accident in the pool, or there is a fire, or gas escapes from a faulty boiler? All the customer liability insurance in the world will not save you from a manslaughter charge, deportation, or at the very least a hefty fine, if your property does not have the correct paperwork and a certificate from E.O.T.
What can be done to ensure your safety, then, when arranging an independent holiday to Crete or Greece? Firstly, take out full travel insurance for you and your family and make sure that you have your European Health Card with you. Check with the villa owner that the property has been inspected and authorised by the Greek Tourist Board and if it has not, choose somewhere else. Remember that if the police or tax authorities carry out a check on the first day of your two week holiday you will probably not be allowed to stay in the property and will have to find alternative accommodation.
Astonishingly, many major tour companies do not insist on this certification as a basic requirement.for their properties. On the contrary, some such as www.simplycreteholidays.co.uk , will not consider placing clients into any property which does not have full E.O.T certification and are actively encouraging and assisting property owners to obtain the neccessary documents.
It may be only a matter of time before the economic damage being caused to the local economy by competition from cheap villa rentals will result in an inevitable backlash from legitimate, registered, accommodation owners. It may happen sooner, rather than later, if the building continues on this scale and newcomers who are operating illegally will almost inevitably be the first victims of any clampdown by the police and the Greek court system.
But how many prospective buyers realise that it is illegal to rent their homes via Do-It-Yourself holiday websites, or even to rent to friends or work colleagues without the correct permissions from the Greek authorities? All rental properties must be registered and inspected by E.O.T, the Greek Tourist Board, and this can add anything up to £7000.00 to the purchase price. No wonder, then, that some Real Estate Agents fail to mention this. If you intend to rent your property, ensure that you get a guarantee from the builder, developer or agent, that it will be able to obtain this certification.
But what if a customer has an accident in the pool, or there is a fire, or gas escapes from a faulty boiler? All the customer liability insurance in the world will not save you from a manslaughter charge, deportation, or at the very least a hefty fine, if your property does not have the correct paperwork and a certificate from E.O.T.
What can be done to ensure your safety, then, when arranging an independent holiday to Crete or Greece? Firstly, take out full travel insurance for you and your family and make sure that you have your European Health Card with you. Check with the villa owner that the property has been inspected and authorised by the Greek Tourist Board and if it has not, choose somewhere else. Remember that if the police or tax authorities carry out a check on the first day of your two week holiday you will probably not be allowed to stay in the property and will have to find alternative accommodation.
Astonishingly, many major tour companies do not insist on this certification as a basic requirement.for their properties. On the contrary, some such as www.simplycreteholidays.co.uk , will not consider placing clients into any property which does not have full E.O.T certification and are actively encouraging and assisting property owners to obtain the neccessary documents.
It may be only a matter of time before the economic damage being caused to the local economy by competition from cheap villa rentals will result in an inevitable backlash from legitimate, registered, accommodation owners. It may happen sooner, rather than later, if the building continues on this scale and newcomers who are operating illegally will almost inevitably be the first victims of any clampdown by the police and the Greek court system.
Email
Print
SPAM
