B,S HIVE property management ozankoy

Tourist



Joined: 29/04/2008
Posts: 6


Message Posted:
30/04/2008 15:01

B’S HIVE Property Management Ozankoy



This company deals mainly with holiday villas rental business. I asked them to market my bungalow for a long term tenancy. The only fees mentioned at the time were 10% of the rent. Before the property was let I was asked that if the tenant could locate a shed in the garden. This was agreed to but specified in no uncertain terms that the shed location was only to be at the rear of the bungalow. However a large shed with above ground concrete base was erected just behind the front gate of the property. In the process the drive bordered with concrete blocks was destroyed presumably to gain wheel chair and car access to the new structure. After the end of tenancy I inspected the property and pointed out the unauthorized location of the shed. Due to this and a portion of unpaid rent monies, I terminated the lease contract. After lengthy e mails the agent sent the final bill. I was horrified to discover the Agent had charged 800 UK Pounds as fees on a total rent of 2400 UK Pounds. This together with 10 % tax does not make any rental a viable proposition. Why should anyone put their property at risk for such measly amount? Had this been mentioned at the time I would have escorted the Agent off the property. In addition lots of items left in the property such as Lounge Carpet, Sky Digi Box. Makita Bush Cutter and a pressure washer together with numerous smaller items could not be located. A series of emails was sent to the agent who finally came with the account posted below: It is reproduced here in its original form without any alterations. As the Agent had total control of rent money received , any bills or other charges were automatically deducted. I had no choice in the matter. The question is that am I the only one to have experienced problems like this with this company. Can any one please advise me if the charges mentioned below are normal?





Tuesday, April 29, 2008





Mr Hadi

I was today in receipt of you latest email which I find threatening, libelous and derogatory with your very obvious attempt to be intimidating. This is my final attempt to reason with you. I find you have a very selective memory – conveniently forgetting what you want to.

B`s Hive is a very successful management company, legally and properly registered for taxes and work permits etc. You came to the office and approached me to find a tenant for your house, to look after it and also for repairs to be made. You did all this on the day you were leaving the island with little time to discuss things. The normal contract for property management is that you pay an annual fee for your property to be cared for also leaving a sum of money for electricity, water and other bills to be paid on your behalf; you had a copy of our terms and charges.

You did not want a contract to start until a tenant was found and I allowed this despite the fact I had helped you with advice re a solicitor etc. Until April I continued to hold the keys and show prospective tenants around. I also paid a very large bill for local tax and water which you had not paid for 3 years. I have never received any money from you. When people were not interested because of the high rent I also contacted booking agents to let them know that the property was available. I knew and I believe it was mentioned with you that the standard practice here in TRNC is that an agent receive one or two months rent as the “finders fee” for a successful introduction.

In March 07 an agent brought Mr & Mrs …… to the office and I showed them and the agent around the house. I knew them slightly. They wanted to take it but on an unfurnished basis at a very advantageous price to you of 400 gbp a month. As you had already said that you might be willing to do this I contacted you with the offer and as we had not been able to find tenants at the price, you agreed to their offer of 6 months payment in advance and of their desire to take the house for at least 2-3 years, they were also interested in possibly buying the house.

You agreed and instructed me to sell the contents that were not required and to go ahead with the repairs that were needed.

The repairs took place in April/May and the house was prepared for the tenancy. Mr & Mrs …… paid the 6 months rent in advance of 2350 gbp and a deposit of 50 gbp and the cheaper than normal “finders fee” of 300 gbp was paid to the agent.

Various items were sold separately and they are shown on the accounts and I believe yielded a much better price than if they had been sold at auction. As it was becoming urgent that the house was cleared ready for the tenants a lot of smaller items – drills, power washer, bush cutter, paints etc were put up into the loft and household linen put in storage and as far as I know are still there. You have had copies of the lists itemizing all these things. You have also had a copy of the items that were sent to the auction and a copy of the sales receipts from the auction house. I have taken no items back from the auction so any items not sold should still be there.

During the repairs ordered, power tools were used and this is the reason for any use of electricity in the time immediately before the house was occupied. In fact you will see that the electricity board clerk had made a mistake and the house was in credit right the way through until September, this is clearly shown on the electric receipts. There was never anyone in occupancy of the house except for your visits and the authorized tenants.

When the tenant asked if he could put in a shed I said I was sure it could not be a problem and I contacted you. You agreed but a little time later sent instructions where you wanted the shed to be put. By that time the shed had been erected.

When Mr & Mrs ……paid their rent for 6 months in advance an interim account showing this and the money received for selling the items privately and bills paid and finders fee was sent to you and was then followed by a cheque for 1200 gbp which you have cashed. You also received a copy of the contract. I pointed out to you that a 10% rental income tax should be paid and that I could register you at the tax office with a copy of your passport and pay the money for you. You refused saying that after all the problems you had had in TRNC with corrupt lawyers and government you had no intention to pay them anything.

In November Mr ….. informed me that sadly his wife, had gone into a sudden decline and had died the day before. He wanted us to know as soon as possible that he would not wish to stay on at the house by himself and that he would not be continuing after the end of December 07. His contract states that he needed to give one months notice and he had fulfilled that.

I informed you immediately but you expressed little regret for your tenants death – just concerned about finding another tenant.

B`s Hive continued to look after the property and you have a copy of the electric and water to be paid by the tenant when he left at the end of the year and this is also shown on your accounts. I charged an extremely discounted monthly rate for this management – this is what our business does we do not offer a free service.

We continued to show prospective tenants around and also contacted booking agents who also brought people to look. If they had found a successful let instead of me then they would have charged 2 months rent as “finders fee”. In fact one agent came back and took photos and video and his customers had decided to take the house subject to a visit.

In February you turned up unexpectedly and rang me to meet you immediately at the house. You looked at the concrete base and expressed very little concern about it. You looked around the house and said you were very pleased with the repairs to floor tiles, plumbing, serious cracks on the walls and damp repair and proofing on the exterior walls and foundations. The charge for this was very reasonable and you seemed happy about that.

You felt that the garden was overgrown and weedy and needed tidying for prospective tenants and asked me to arrange gardeners to do this. I employed a team and two of them worked for the greater part of the day and charged a very reasonable 40 gbp. I have a receipt and also photos of the large mound of weeds and geranium cuttings this generated. Today the 29th April I have taken photos of the garden which is again over grown and weedy. ( I was careful not to go through the gate onto the property). I had a quote for removal of the concrete base for less than £100.

During your visit in February after our meeting at the house you rang me to say that a friend would be coming to look at the car in your carport. You had previously told me of this and asked me to leave the small gate open for him. On the day I received your first aggressive and offensive email he rang to ask me to say he would be there shortly and would I meet him there. I was very upset and near to tears but I met him and he looked at the car and also at the concrete base. He said he would be coming the next day to collect the car and take it to Turkey. I pointed out that taxes and duties had not been paid and he said he could “sort that”.

As I said I will not be communicating further with you except through a solicitor. I will probably instruct the gentleman who you so greatly upset last year when he sent you his bill for work done. I may also point out that I spent some considerable time on the matter of the solicitor and made no charge for this.

All copies of this statement, the lists as mentioned, receipts, contract and emails sent and received will be available to him and any other interested parties. I would have no hesitation in publishing this on internet sites should you do as you threaten and try to blacken our name on them.

jock1


Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 673


Message Posted:
30/04/2008 15:23

there's alway two sides to a story.

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 447


Message Posted:
30/04/2008 16:37

And half way between lies the truth!

middlestubbo


Joined: 24/04/2008
Posts: 5


Message Posted:
30/04/2008 17:07

I'm sorry tourist but the letter you received from the management company above doesn't actually tarnish there name. It comes across quite well in my eyes. I could fully understand the position of the management company and it sounds like they bent over backwards for you. I suggest you rethink your gripe..... or take the letting agent respone from off this site!

Tourist



Joined: 29/04/2008
Posts: 6


Message Posted:
30/04/2008 20:32

If you read the letter from the management company ,she advised me that she was going to post this letter on the Internet. I have merely saved her the trouble. The letter has been posted exactly as I received it except for the removal of the names of the tenant.

chrissie


Joined: 29/01/2008
Posts: 49


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 13:39

tourist

i have been wondering about property rental agencies in TRNC so was interested to hear about B's Hive. i'm afraid that i agree with middlestubbo - it appears that this agency worked extremely hard for you and i wouldn't hesitate to engage them in the future. the agent's first sentence is a bit of a give-away about the nature of your correspondence ... as to the internet business - perhaps you should have posted the threatening, libelous, derogatory and intimidating email you sent to her so the whole story was revealed.

at the moment, it doesn't really look like you've a leg to stand on.

chrissie

slimboyfat


Joined: 01/05/2008
Posts: 34


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 14:59

Having known and used B's Hive I must say that I always found Barbara to be beyond reproach. One of the most professional, responsible and trustworthy property management companies I have come across.

I see nothing wrong with what she has written and would suggest that you look to yourself for the problem.

andre 514


Joined: 31/03/2008
Posts: 143


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 15:14

tourist,



if what they say is all true, they have had to do

a very great deal of running around for very little benefit to them

time is money isn't it?



I was always skeptical of investment for rental in north cyprus

but feel that you have made many unreasonable demands on them

and are quite unrealistic in your expectations



my original dream was to have a flat on the coast let for rent in the summer,

and a cottage in the mountains to stay in the cooler air during the hot season

I certainly would not leave everything to a lettings agent then conveniently disappear, but would also check myself everything was ok from time to time

of course this dream has been shattered because:



a) a couple can only register one place

b) I have totally run out of cash



andre

chrissie


Joined: 29/01/2008
Posts: 49


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 16:29

andre

that's bad luck about the cash, but would you mind expanding on your statement, " a couple can only register one place."?

does that mean i (on my own) can't buy a permanent residence and a flat to rent out?

chrissie

andre 514


Joined: 31/03/2008
Posts: 143


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 17:06

well thanks chrissie,



I do have just a teeny bit left to get by, so hold the food parcels for now,

bless you



there are many on these forums far better informed than me

but as I understand it:

a foreigner or foreign couple with the same name on their passports

may apply to the council of ministers for "permission to buy" either:



one donem of land (about one third of an acre)

"or"

one property



the only ways to own more are:

do it via a proper company you set up with majority trnc directors (expensive)

use a local nominee (dodgy)

use a relative or friend as a front (maybe dodgy)

have a different name to your spouse on your passports (naughty)



hope this is helpful



andre



ps

"foreigner" in this context means non-citizen of trnc

eg, british, irish, icelandic etc etc

yes I appreciate british citizens tend not to think of themselves

as "foreigners" but in this context at least they would certainly be

annejohn


Joined: 01/05/2008
Posts: 2


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 17:08

Barbara has ran this company for over 11 years and has around 40 properties on her books. Some are holiday lets others are tennants. When the 10% tax came in everyone was informed that they are liable. Plenty of my friends have rented out through barbara and return year after year. I know she has plenty of returning tourists. Most of her houses and villas are fully booked during the summer months. She double checks every thing with all owners before proceeding and saves all copies of everything.



In all this time she has never had a problem like this. She works long hours on nearly 24 hour call and this is the thanks she gets for all the hard work. Check out what other property management charge and what you get for the service. You will find most charge double and you recieve very little. Do you think that all businesses run for free. Since you didn't pay much management fees i don't think you can complain, and you have upset solictors out there thinking they have over charged. What do solictors in this country charge and property management here charged 20% net on all rentals and 15% if the property is empty.



I think you have got off lightly and think you should shut up griping and get on with your affairs and slander other people who only have tried to help.





I am very happy and pleased with the hard work she puts in. Good luck Barbara.

Tourist



Joined: 29/04/2008
Posts: 6


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 18:17

Perhaps if every thing had been put in writing there would be no problem. I still have to see a signed piece of paper as agreeing to the charges . As for any extra work done all she had to do was to bill me. Any help given with the car is completely irrelevant as the person collecting the car was briefed by me and any way is a local working with a shipping company and is well aware of all the regulations. As far as libel is concerned I would be quite happy to face her in a court of law. I will repeat once again Where is the SIGNED agreement all the charges levied? It was B'S HIVE WHO wanted an Internet posting. I have done this for her.

Tourist



Joined: 29/04/2008
Posts: 6


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 18:21

Please refer to my latest posting

cooper



Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 236


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 19:11

B's HIVE sound like the Bee's Knee's to me.



Cooper

smudge



Joined: 07/04/2008
Posts: 75


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 19:14

oh my word - Barbara sounds like a saint to me and from what I've heard i would have no hesitation in appointing her to care for my property if it were near to her base.

It just goes to show, you can go above and beyond the call of duty and still get kicked in the shins for it.

chrissie


Joined: 29/01/2008
Posts: 49


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 19:53

andre

thanks for spelling all that out for me. as i don't want to do anything dodgy perhaps i'll just come over for a quiet, happy, peaceful life and forget the investment.

hope you manage to make your teeny bit stretch - shout when you need the food parcel!

chrissie

mazzab


Joined: 01/05/2008
Posts: 1


Message Posted:
01/05/2008 20:29

Having known Barbara for many years I cannot believe you are talking about the same person. I have seen her work above and beyond the call of duty for her clients, nothing has been to much trouble. I for one would certainly recommend her company when it comes to property management.

andre 514


Joined: 31/03/2008
Posts: 143


Message Posted:
02/05/2008

chrissie,



general opinion is that is not the time to think in terms of an investment

because the market is depressed with lots of unsold properties,

but shrewd people actually look for opportunities now

trick is...to know when it hits bottom,

just before the everything lurches upward

as the next cycle begins



it is rather deceptive to think about either/or:

any small individual is not going to become

a millionaire from property in north cyprus

on the other hand if you make a choice that suits you

and works out well your capital is in something tangible

and you can lve there too!



there is a huge amount of information in these forums

if you through them meticulously but also no substitute

for searching and seeking at ground level



finally. dodgy is a relative term:

you are not exactly depriving widows and orphans

but obviously there are local sensibilities

course that didn't stop all the casinos...



and if you ever need to let, there is alway's b's hive

I'd have never heard of them without this thread!



andre

chrissie


Joined: 29/01/2008
Posts: 49


Message Posted:
02/05/2008 00:54

andre,

i could be missing something important here but surely, while it's a rotten time to sell, the best time to buy is in a depressed market. i had no illusion about becoming a millionaire, just wanted somewhere separate for my visitors to stay and a nice inheritance for my kids (come the day), and have it earn its keep in between visits.

when i said i didn't want to do anything dodgy i sort of meant that if one is not legally allowed to buy more than one property, then loopholing by some means sounds a bit underhand; there are presumably reasons why this is not allowed and i'm happy with that, but at the same time disappointed that i won't be able to commit myself to the island in a way in which i could have done elsewhere.

anyway, looping back to the original post, how delightful that mr tourist unintentionally ended up giving barbara beehive such fantastic references - let's hope she reads the forum and feels more empowered in the knowledge that she is held in such high regard by her loyal clients.

chrissie

Tourist



Joined: 29/04/2008
Posts: 6


Message Posted:
02/05/2008 08:03

With reference to all the postings on this subject, all those who posted need to take following points into account





1 Verbal agreement was that 10% of the rent was to be taken as charges. No finder fees or any other charges were mentioned. The only witness to this arrangement was my wife .On my insistence it was agreed that a letting contract will be drawn up. No written or verbal information was provided regarding any other charges. No document detailing, these charges with or without my signature exists.



2 B’ HIVES Term and Conditions were not presented to me as they do not exist. These are obviously different for every business and cannot be copied from internet or other templates as is the case for a letting contract. I am not a mind reader, I can only take into account what was verbally said to me



3 It was also agreed verbally that a shed could be placed but only at the rear of the property. The tenant ended up destroying my drive and concreting a large area of garden just inside my front gate. The tenancy agreement states that no unauthorized work can be done .I certainly did not agree to have my drive torn up and a large area of garden concerted. The tenant and the Agent have refused to break the concrete down and take it away. I will now have to pay for this work to be carried out.



4 On my insistence an inventory was provided. A lot of items just disappeared and cannot be accounted for .This can be verified by listings provided by B’S HIVE. Loss of small however still valuable items can be written off but how some one can loose a 12 foot by 9 foot carpet, a large Matika bush cutter and a Pressure Washer.



5 All the extra work billed including the repairs to the house were paid for. B’S Hive did the work themselves and a fair job was done.



6 Electricity / water bills were the responsibility of the tenant. According to information provided by B'S HIVE there is a shortfall of 120 UK Pounds which was paid by me. Electricity used for months of June and July remains unaccounted for and will have to be paid by me adding a lot of money to the final electricity bill.



7 B’s hive claim that they only knew the tenant slightly is at conflict with what they told me that the tenants were long time friends of theirs. People in the know in Girne will be well aware of that. Any extras like arranging the sales of furniture etc, was not aimed at helping me but their friends who insisted on the house being completely empty. I only agreed to it because a long let was involved. The tenants delayed the start of agreed tenancy date by more than one month, probably looking for another place as my property suffers from high level of ambient noise. When no where else could be found the tenant moved in one month later than agreed date. Originally when the tenants did not move in at the specified date I instructed B’S HIVE to re-advertise the property and not let the property to the tenants of their choice as they had renegeated on previously agreed move in date. These instructions were ignored.



8 It is admitted that some extra errands were done by B’s HIVE and this can in no way be described as beyond the call of duty. If these had been billed to me. They too would have been paid. A trip to a solicitor’s office to pay the money due in centre Of Girne is not running around. The solicitor’s bill was paid in full even though I felt I was overcharged for the work. If this upset the person concerned I shall personally take it up with him. It is does not affect B’S HIVE in any way and is none of their business.



9

Local tax of 10% has not been billed to me. This was the responsibility of B’S HIVE and to best of my knowledge it has not been paid. I will have to pay the tax due plus the penalties. As far as I know the tax office has not been informed that the house is no longer tenanted.



10 The house was supposed to be let for 2-3 years. I agreed to have all the furniture sold so that the tenant could bring their own stuff.



11 In fact the property was only let for 6 months. This means that I have to refurnish the house for my own use at a very considerable cost to myself.



12 When some one is told a few home truths which they do not like, Cry of libel goes up. If any one feels that they have been libeled then they are at liberty to sue me I speak my mind and if what has been said is libelous then the courts are there to deal with the issue.



13 B’S HIVE, Angel and Saint, Yes undoubtedly BUT to the tenant at my considerable expense.



14 A number of emails and letters regarding the issues raised above were written to B, S HIVE to settle this matter amicably however the Agent was only interested in holding on to as much money as possible.



15 It may well be that B’s HIVE is quite competent in doing holiday lets of two weeks or so but as far as I am concerned I feel that I have been let down very badly. I have nothing personal whatsoever against B’S HIVE . However I am extremely disappointed at the current sate of affairs. I agree that Barbara is a nice person to talk to. However business is another matter.



16 I have made my position absolutely clear. It is up to B’S HIVE to post ALL my emails to them in full on this forum if they feel that I have made unsuitable comments. After all I have posted their letter in full.



17 Finally this bungalow built on previously owned Turkish land with undisputed and clear TRNC Titles and with no scam or mortgages of any kind is available for sale at less than market value. I will be willing to enter into any binding UK contract so that Purchaser’s rights to the property can be guaranteed. Please contact me if you are interested. Buying privately will save Estate Agents fees and May even save some taxes. However that needs to be checked out.

annejohn


Joined: 01/05/2008
Posts: 2


Message Posted:
02/05/2008 08:33

I know that she treats people and her houses that she looks after like how she would want her own house looked after. She is british not cypriot and has spent all the years building up her business from only 5 houses when she brought it to the 40 odd she has now.



She is human and like she stated in her letter how could you sign it when you were not even in the country. I know speaking to her you had already threatened to take her to court in your e-mail. She has all the e-mails, receipt etc right from the begining.

slimboyfat


Joined: 01/05/2008
Posts: 34


Message Posted:
02/05/2008 09:25

I have personally had dealings with Barbara ove a considerable period and like Annejohn have found her to offer a first class service and she would not have the number of properties to look after if she did not offer such service.

As far as your item 12 is concerned "When some one is told a few home truths which they do not like etc" it appears to me that this would apply to you more than Barbara.

I would suggest you stop whinging and get a life.

jock1


Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 673


Message Posted:
02/05/2008 09:28

I think tourist has nothing better to do!! he's loving the attention,if thats all you'v got to complain about!!!!!!!!!