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**UPDATE** 'LANDLORD'S NEGLECT KEEPS MY BUSINESS CLOSED'
**UPDATE** 'LANDLORD'S NEGLECT KEEPS MY BUSINESS CLOSED'
Hi Folks, and to anyone who has shown an interest in the injustice I have had at the hand's of my landlady and her family, here is what has happened.
I came to Carvoeiro in February/March, for 3 weeks, and with the excellent help and support, once again of my, by now, 'trusted' friend, and builder Colin, the repairs needed to ensure I had full status as a restaurant, (Health & Safety cover) etc., were completed, and reported by me to Lagoa Camara, who saw the report/survey carried out by Luso Crystal, an inspection company who deals with these matters. They are a company who were recognised by Lagoa Camara, they told me that if I had completed all repairs on the list, which I had, I could open the day after, and run the business, subject of course to their inspection, which I was led to believe would not be a problem.
Colin, you deserve a 'Hero of the Year' award!!! Anyone who needs a good allround, builder, send me a request for his phone number.
So too does Mary, fluent in Portuguese and red tape, who came to the Camara with me.
We stood our ground whilst firstly we were getting nowhere, and then suddenly a break through, because we were quoting new laws pertaining to landlord's responsibility and also the local Camera's responsibility to rogue landlords. (if you want info on this I can give you the web-site, that is translatable into English)
So, Ureka, suddenly we were gaining ground.
The Finance department were interested to hear that I have asked for, and not received receipts even though I have constantly asked,for the last oooh about 20years receipts of payments to her, (maybe she wastn't declaring this income), but I have paid through the bank and have proof of my payments to her, - so, no way out there. Sorry if it's long winded, but maybe helful to someone else going through similar, and so worth reporting.
In the Finance department, I was inspected by them and everything is legit, and I have carried on paying tax, even though I have been closed and not earning. ----Silly some might say, but I just wanted to keep things open and not 'rock the boat' so to speak.
However, because of this it has worked to my advantage, as they asked me what my income was now, and I told them that because I could not earn in Portugal, I was forced to live in England, on a small pension.
A search and proof was requested, and this is why it has taken me so long to come onto the Forum.
Firstly all my cooking equipment, because of the damp, suffered so much damage, rust on cookers, rubber perished on fridges/freezers etc., that the report I had carried out recommended they were thrown out. - So not having money left to buy new, or even second hand, I have had to stay closed.
This, fantastically has worked in my favour, and because of lack of funds and income, I have been awarded
A FREE LAWYER, on legal aid.
Eventually I was given the name and telephone number, by the Finance Department in Faro of a lawyer. Unfortunately she doesn't speak enough English, and I do not possess enough Portugues nounce for us to communicate with each other. It is necessary I have someone to be able to represent me in court, because that is where we are going, but they need to understand the situation perfectly. The one they awarded didn't, which could cost me the case. Unfortunately, only they can award me a lawyer, so up to today, I can only wait for them to put the wheels in motion, I only hope these wheels speed up as I am still paying rent on something I cannot use.
It leaves me to thank you all for your support, and keep writing in - and again my thanks and recommendations to three very special people.
And I'm going to be bold here, hope I don't get in trouble.
Colin 919846877
Mary, and good luck Mary on your new business venture, 'The Cat's Whiskas' a cat boarding place, for people to leave their cats to be looked after whilst the owner is away. 919642521 (also Mary is available to work through difficulties at Camara level).
And Les Lloyd, based in Carvoeiro,a really good plumber, whose work even impressed the company who inspected my business. His advice was invaluable, and his pricing fair and affordable. It was funny, I was going around the builder's merchan'ts with Colin, buying materials, when we bumped into Les. (meant to be, or what?) They knew each other, asked what each other was doing, and I was introduced. 'Oh, are you the Joanne on the Carvoeiro Forum?' he asked, small world. Thanks also to Carvoeiro Forum,.
Hopefully, one day, justice will run it's course, and I will get back some of the considerable amount of money I have paid out, and lost earnings through being forced to stay closed.
I never thought I would stand a chance to get help from the authorities beause I am an Estrangiero, shows how wrong I was, - justice is what I ask for, and most of all, a way of showing the landlady she cannot keep breaking the law, just because she is Portuguese.
Bless you all, Joanne
I came to Carvoeiro in February/March, for 3 weeks, and with the excellent help and support, once again of my, by now, 'trusted' friend, and builder Colin, the repairs needed to ensure I had full status as a restaurant, (Health & Safety cover) etc., were completed, and reported by me to Lagoa Camara, who saw the report/survey carried out by Luso Crystal, an inspection company who deals with these matters. They are a company who were recognised by Lagoa Camara, they told me that if I had completed all repairs on the list, which I had, I could open the day after, and run the business, subject of course to their inspection, which I was led to believe would not be a problem.
Colin, you deserve a 'Hero of the Year' award!!! Anyone who needs a good allround, builder, send me a request for his phone number.
So too does Mary, fluent in Portuguese and red tape, who came to the Camara with me.
We stood our ground whilst firstly we were getting nowhere, and then suddenly a break through, because we were quoting new laws pertaining to landlord's responsibility and also the local Camera's responsibility to rogue landlords. (if you want info on this I can give you the web-site, that is translatable into English)
So, Ureka, suddenly we were gaining ground.
The Finance department were interested to hear that I have asked for, and not received receipts even though I have constantly asked,for the last oooh about 20years receipts of payments to her, (maybe she wastn't declaring this income), but I have paid through the bank and have proof of my payments to her, - so, no way out there. Sorry if it's long winded, but maybe helful to someone else going through similar, and so worth reporting.
In the Finance department, I was inspected by them and everything is legit, and I have carried on paying tax, even though I have been closed and not earning. ----Silly some might say, but I just wanted to keep things open and not 'rock the boat' so to speak.
However, because of this it has worked to my advantage, as they asked me what my income was now, and I told them that because I could not earn in Portugal, I was forced to live in England, on a small pension.
A search and proof was requested, and this is why it has taken me so long to come onto the Forum.
Firstly all my cooking equipment, because of the damp, suffered so much damage, rust on cookers, rubber perished on fridges/freezers etc., that the report I had carried out recommended they were thrown out. - So not having money left to buy new, or even second hand, I have had to stay closed.
This, fantastically has worked in my favour, and because of lack of funds and income, I have been awarded
A FREE LAWYER, on legal aid.
Eventually I was given the name and telephone number, by the Finance Department in Faro of a lawyer. Unfortunately she doesn't speak enough English, and I do not possess enough Portugues nounce for us to communicate with each other. It is necessary I have someone to be able to represent me in court, because that is where we are going, but they need to understand the situation perfectly. The one they awarded didn't, which could cost me the case. Unfortunately, only they can award me a lawyer, so up to today, I can only wait for them to put the wheels in motion, I only hope these wheels speed up as I am still paying rent on something I cannot use.
It leaves me to thank you all for your support, and keep writing in - and again my thanks and recommendations to three very special people.
And I'm going to be bold here, hope I don't get in trouble.
Colin 919846877
Mary, and good luck Mary on your new business venture, 'The Cat's Whiskas' a cat boarding place, for people to leave their cats to be looked after whilst the owner is away. 919642521 (also Mary is available to work through difficulties at Camara level).
And Les Lloyd, based in Carvoeiro,a really good plumber, whose work even impressed the company who inspected my business. His advice was invaluable, and his pricing fair and affordable. It was funny, I was going around the builder's merchan'ts with Colin, buying materials, when we bumped into Les. (meant to be, or what?) They knew each other, asked what each other was doing, and I was introduced. 'Oh, are you the Joanne on the Carvoeiro Forum?' he asked, small world. Thanks also to Carvoeiro Forum,.
Hopefully, one day, justice will run it's course, and I will get back some of the considerable amount of money I have paid out, and lost earnings through being forced to stay closed.
I never thought I would stand a chance to get help from the authorities beause I am an Estrangiero, shows how wrong I was, - justice is what I ask for, and most of all, a way of showing the landlady she cannot keep breaking the law, just because she is Portuguese.
Bless you all, Joanne
Re: **UPDATE** 'LANDLORD'S NEGLECT KEEPS MY BUSINESS CLOSED'
well joanne may i be the 1st to wish you good luck in your long winded battle&im sure there will be many more from this site who will do the same.
Re: **UPDATE** 'LANDLORD'S NEGLECT KEEPS MY BUSINESS CLOSED'
Many thanks Alf 1953 for your good wishes. Yes it has been long winded, but hopefully, onward and upward, let's hope it doesn't take too long. I am told that this route is faster than if I had been able to take this to court myself, although the poor start hasn't been hopeful. Will keep you posted. Joanne
Re: **UPDATE** 'LANDLORD'S NEGLECT KEEPS MY BUSINESS CLOSED'
Good Luck Joanne. I hope justice is done, you deserve it, it must have been so stressful, hopefully you can now look on the bright side and its onward & upward.
-
James Faro
- CVO Legend
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- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 11:12 pm
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Re: **UPDATE** 'LANDLORD'S NEGLECT KEEPS MY BUSINESS CLOSED'
Hey Joanne! Good luck not that you need it!
From day one you did everything expected of you and you had the law and the moral authority on your side. Many would have given up and be depressed but you stuck your teeth in and would not let go! It was a long time holding on ,but it is now paying dividends!
You never know, the landlords might even offer you the property well under the market value. as they may think keeping its is more bother than its worth!
I will definitely visit your establishment when it is up running!
From day one you did everything expected of you and you had the law and the moral authority on your side. Many would have given up and be depressed but you stuck your teeth in and would not let go! It was a long time holding on ,but it is now paying dividends!
You never know, the landlords might even offer you the property well under the market value. as they may think keeping its is more bother than its worth!
I will definitely visit your establishment when it is up running!