Fibre Optics
I have had the opportunity to discuss the question of fibre optics in the housing community with the president of the GC, Rob Wise and I think it would be useful to summarise and update the present situation.
I think we are all aware of the difficulty some owners have had in trying to install fibre optics, which is largely due to existing Telefonica conduits being blocked. When that is the case the company’s view (Teleast) is simply that unless owners are prepared to pay for alternative solutions then they cannot have fibre optics.
This is a situation that unfortunately some of us have had to or will have to accept.
The situation for owners living over the garages is that existing Telefonica conduits run on the ceiling of the garages, but in all cases run through enclosed private garages. They all connect through a central distribution box which is inside a private garage, the owners of which live in Germany and have failed to respond to requests for access over the past 18 months. Neither the garage community president, nor I have been able to obtain a legal opinion which confirms that mandatory access can be enforced for the purpose of installing fibre optics.
The situation is even worse because having reviewed the matter in more detail I accept the garage community’s opinion that for any owner living above the garages to install fibre optics would involve gaining access to at least four more garages. Utilising the existing Telefonica conduits within the garages is therefore simply not a viable option.
That said one owner has been able to install fibre optics by utilising the electrical conduit to their house. This has been possible because it is a short straight run in an open area of the garages. There are eight electrical conduits serving sixteen houses so it seems that agreement and co-operation from a neighbour is required. As with Telefonica conduits however main runs of electrical conduits are all within private garages so the same issues of mandatory access to install fibre optics apply. It seems unlikely therefore that this option will be available to other owners but there is nothing to stop them trying if they wish.
A proposal has been made to overcome these problems and make it possible for all sixteen owners to have fibre optics now or at any time in the future. This has been approved in principle with the garage community although final details have yet to be agreed. The first stage would be to install new and separate conduits from the Teleast distribution box in Calle 28 to open areas just within the garages. These could be extended through open areas to individual houses as and when required without the need to access any private garages.
The estimated cost for these first stage works is 100€ which would need to be shared by all sixteen owners or the number of owners presently wanting fibre optics. Owners need to decide whether or not to fund the proposal and since the work would have to be incorporated into proposed road repairs in Calle 28 it would be helpful if their decision could be made known before or at the AGM.
Garage Walls
I refer to my notes on this item to the AGM. It appears I have not correctly stated the facts regarding the painting of garage walls in Calle 26 and Calle 28. The garage community had agreed to make a contribution of 22% providing we used a properly qualified company with adequate guarantees and that offer still stands. The preference of the GC is that we employ Manuel (Residencial Playa Flamenca) to carry out the work and that will be my recommendation to the AGM. I am in the process of obtaining an actual cost.
Structural Review
The garage community have confirmed that no water leaks have been reported in private garages since remedial works were completed in 2015 and the small leaks which occur in open areas from the expansion joint in the central walkway have not worsened during the same period. They consider that carrying out the structural review scheduled for early 2019 would be a waste of community funds and are happy this is deferred for review in 2020 subject to HC agreement. I will formally report this to the AGM.