meiadeleite

Sadly, our dreams of a house in the south aren't going that well.

We rented a place in Tavira in the end of January, but still don't have electricity on it, due to a mess up with the landlord. According to the technicians who visited the place, it will still take another month to actually get the electricity... and the landlord refuses to pay for these months in which we cannot live in the house.

So... we need a lawyer. Does anyone have any advice on a good one — perhaps someone specialized in real estate, renting, etc?

EMR

Did you check the property before you rented it.?

I think you will find that the law moves very slowly in Portugal.
If the landlord does not have a rental license then a hint by you that you will report him to the council and financas my result in a change in atitude.

Personally I would get out and find somewhere else to live there is no shortage of decent rental properties with power and water.

Mike

Sara Mansinho in Tavira.

meiadeleite

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

@EMR:

They do have a rental license — they're big and this is not their only property. We checked the house, it had never been used before and looked ok. Signed the contract, got the water connection going... and then we noticed the "delivery point" number they gave us for the electricity was wrong. After a bit of back and forth, we realize they lost the electricity certification papers, and will have to go through the whole process again... hence the delay.

Yes — getting another house is looking like a likely scenario. Still, we need to get our deposit + expenses back, and close this contract — hence the need for a lawyer.

Munsterfan

Very well connected general service (WILLS etc.) lawyer, a Rotarian,
ex-council member, and property specialist Mr. Rui Horta 281 325 635, taviralawyers.com. My only dealings with him have been the purchase of our apartment which was completed within 3-weeks and without a hitch.

Lazlo Woodbine

I've used Cristina Fernandes at LTCF Tavira when I bought my house, she was good for me, I've also used Paula Cannavarro in Faro for other things, she's good too in my experience.
Did you try going direct to EDP, they have always responded quickly to my calls for help!

meiadeleite

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

@Lazlo: we did try EDP - and they've been very patient and understanding. Unfortunately, the missing papers are not up to them, and there's nothing they can do to fix the problem until a new certification is done.

Lazlo Woodbine

Let me guess, it's something from "Certiel"? If that's the case I feel your pain. I had a supply for construction but when I finished the house and wanted to get it changed to a domestic meter the Electrician had to send in the paperwork to CERTIEL which they lost. Not once. Not twice. Yep, FOUR TIMES!!!! thankfully in the meantime I had power but it really was ludicrous. Do you know of a baby you can borrow? It always helps to get things moving quicker!!!!




(Not all of the above statements are true, but no babies were harmed in the typing of this post.)

meiadeleite

@Lazlo: yup, the landlord is missing the CERTIEL certification. Which is ridiculous, because he owns a dozen other identical houses in that street, and has the papers for all of them — except ours. Which means, they probably did the certification... he just can't find it, and CERTIEL can't find it, and EDP can't find the "delivery point" number... sigh.

A borrowed baby is not such a bad idea at this stage... cheaper than a lawyer!

Munsterfan

Dear meiadeleite, Pat'll be your baby if you want...means I can get him to shave!
signed The Wife Who Loves Smooth Cheeks

Nettienut

We used Rui Horta in Tavira, for our Portuguese wills, and they were very professional, albeit slightly more expensive than some others in Tavira that we got quotes from. Having said that, we are more than happy with the excellent service which was provided by him.

The guy we used for property stuff now practices in Lisbon, so not really that useful for you in the Algarve.

it all works out for you!