Trouble with service charges

[Norseman]

Now, we've paid 70% and have 30% of the work done and the developer refuses to do any more. He says, "Sue me (I'm untouchable)."

Why is the developer refusing to to do any more?
Have you made several changes or demanded add-ons to the original plans without any price agreement?

Nobody is untouchable, it's only a question of money!!
(I think)?

[huahindolly]

Now, we've paid 70% and have 30% of the work done and the developer refuses to do any more. He says, "Sue me (I'm untouchable)."

Why is the developer refusing to to do any more?
Have you made several changes or demanded add-ons to the original plans without any price agreement?

Nobody is untouchable, it's only a question of money!!
(I think)?

why refusing to do any more? he is one of the famous pyramid builders with other peoples money and spent ours on other property.

We made no changes nor demanded add-ons to the original plans. In fact he never made any plans, nor got a building permit and started building while we were back home.


yes, it is a question of money, he spreads around the brown envelopes!!

[ozuncle]

HHD,
I am presuming (hoping) you took up his challenge of "sue me" yes?

[huahinsimon]

There is also another thing to consider that stops abused buyers from coming forward. Despite the fact you have 'X' punter very angry with 'Y' development, it is not in "X's' interest to expose the 'Y' development as it could in 'X's' judgment bring down the value of 'Y' which wouldn't suit 'X' if he wanted to sell 'Y'.

Also, there are many people living here in Hua Hin who are scared shitless of their developer. They may have been best mates before they paid their first deposit, but quickly become their living nightmare. They are too scared to speak up, because the very crooks and con men who are making peoples lives miseries are actually weeding their way into partnerships with the Thai power-corrupted officials. Others are just downright gangster bullies. I'm still amazed how some of them have never been run out of town already, but I'm sure most will get their come-uppance in the not-too-distant future.

I hear you there, Jockster. If 'Y' development is exposed 'X' home may suffer a monatary loss. However, it the roof has multiple leaks, you get shocked when flipping switches, pool equipment doesnt function, cracks are appearing, you got yourself a problem. Know a couple in the spanish lookin homes with just such problems. They fixed it all themselves, all paid up but last I heard, no lease forth coming.

Right on the crooks, conmen and gangster bullies. Would like to know what makes you sure of "get their come-uppance in the not-too-distant future." or wishful thinking.

HHS

[niggle]

Reading all this, I feel sorry for the OP.
We have all done things right and wrong here and everywhere. Insults and name calling really don't help - they just piss people off with HHAD because it gets full of people slagging each other off - I have heard this comment from many people.

C'm if advice is sought, lets give it, not waste time insulting each other

[huahinsimon]

people who do not read the contracts fully or take them to a reputable lawyer to be fully checked deserve all they get.

It is only when a problem arises and then is pointed out to the buyer that they signed a contract that actually stated exactly what the seller is saying, that all this kind of thing arises.

Deserve all they get, Chelsea? Really now. spoken like an interested party. No sympathy for the punter, give the nod to the developer. So the game for the developer is write up weak, ambiguous contracts and put the onus on the punter or his lawyer to catch all the loop holes or they deserve all they get. or Where am I going wrong?

If you are a buyer and not a developer you would be saying that the developers should have better more comprehensive contracts. After all, buyers buy only a few times in their lives and sellers/developers sell month after month, year after year. It seems to me the onus should be on the developer, if he's an honest guy, to provide a contract that protects both himself and his customer, not one that allows the developer to scalp the customer. or am I wrong here?

I don't agree that most contracts "actually stated exactly what the seller is saying. In many instances nothing is said about services, no bill of material included that lists all parts from bolts to toilet bowls. I've seen a few builders that supply partial bills of material, and only one aThai builder that has as close to a complete bill of material as I've seen. But if you dont get what they have listed, its lump it or "sue me."

HHS

[chelsea]

HHS Said: I don't agree that most contracts "actually stated exactly what the seller is saying. In many instances nothing is said about services, no bill of material included that lists all parts from bolts to toilet bowls

Well HHS if that is the case you should be questioning that before the contract is signed, not after.

Deserve all they get, Chelsea? Really now. spoken like an interested party. No sympathy for the punter, give the nod to the developer. So the game for the developer is write up weak, ambiguous contracts and put the onus on the punter or his lawyer to catch all the loop holes or they deserve all they get. or Where am I going wrong?

HHS, not a developer or interested party, but have worked in a sales position long enough to know that you can explain a contract to people for as long as you want, everything is agreed that the contract is ok and the end user signs on the line with both parties in agreement.

Then at the 1st instance of anything going wrong (normally with things clearly not included in the contract), it is suddenly the vendors fault. When clearly it had all been agreed upon with both parties signing the original contract.

Personally I have no time for people who sign a contract, know exactly what is in that contract and then when something is not going there way, suddenly cry foul on everyone in sight.

The USA has a lot to answer for in they way that they try and wriggle out of any legal arguement. People overthere try suing everyman and his dog to right a problem that was not in an original contract or the vendors fault, or whatever situation they are in that they think they can make some money out of.

Now unfortunatley the rest of the world is following suit, and the world is a lot worse off for them starting it.

[sessachief]

Hello,
Well my wife and I have started an extensive search aroung Ch-am and HH. We will look closely at Contracts for the future.
We have also seem some completly dreadful builds, I would not buy in the spanish looking places, half bricks , poor fittings , jesus !
So am buying only in existing , and am researching good develpors and buildings.
Sadly I also think Credit crunch in USA and Europe will have a knock on effect.
Perhaps people can bung 20/30K but prices here are now much more expensive..
In truth nothing like media exposure , try some of the property programes in UK , they might love the challenge to expose some sharks.
Secondly, Target there Sales pitches .. Greenpeace tactics

[badbrat]

hi

there are about 60 houses on phase one, i am not sure how many are refusing to pay but many have hol homes here and are prob not aware their water has been cut off. Original contrcat provides for service charges at 6 baht per month.

The water is billed and charged separately each month.

Considering the gen lack of maintenance on the estate residents would already have a case for questioning payment, but to remove water meters for a charge unrelated to water supply is criminal. My water bill has always been paid.

I like the idea of splitlid, i will suggest many for sale signs on every homes gate.

Its a shame we can't just have a quiet life here, eh ?!

[Norseman]

Considering the gen lack of maintenance on the estate residents would already have a case for questioning payment,

True, but without payment, how can they fix anything?

[redzonerocker]

Considering the gen lack of maintenance on the estate residents would already have a case for questioning payment,

True, but without payment, how can they fix anything?

very true norseman, but an increase of 66% does seem excessive .
i'm sure we would all agree that service charges will always rise (as everything else does!).
as long as a decent level of service is maintained & provided, most people will accept it.
that doesn't seem to be the case here

[da]

I have a place in what was originally a Thai development and then the northern european farangs bought in and tried to institute a homeowners association and charge everyone fees for sevices they wanted to provide.

I don't think they can force the issue in my case but a scam and pure socialism in my opinion.

[huahinsimon]

badbrat,

It's been 2 months now. How did your water problem turn out with Khun Per?
Successful I hope.

HHS

[nevets]

Having read all of the reports from all of you i am very sorry to here that what happens in Spain happens here in HH and cha-Am .
My brother got shafted in Spain , and people reading this forum would be wise if they did not part with any money and have a house built here.
It is terrible that these gangsters are allowed to live and work here, but if this corrupt government takes the tea money from them we have no chance in hell of defeating them only by not using their services.
If the good property companies out there were to get together and run the bad ones out of town then this may change , but as the bad ones have their own private army in the MIB this will not work , unless you pay moor and the MIB work FOR YOU. All this said doesn't help HH as a good place to buy and i for one am lucky that i did not buy in HH as i would have most certainly have picked one of the bad ones. Good luck to all and lets hope this war can end and make HH the great destination it should be to have nice home to live or holiday in. Thank you.

[norm]

HHS & HHD

Don't know what your maintenance includes but we have a piece of land in Palm Hills and our maintenance is 4,919 Baht per year for 409.9 Wah or 1639.6m2 It has paved road, water frontage, power, water and street lighting. They cut the grass (weeds). There is no house on the land.

Your maintenance charge does seem excessive, what do they provide?