Page 851 - (A) Mammoth (998pp)

I attach a previous email outlning all the various costs for doing works etc (including Michele's) and it can be noted that the floor cleaning came to £12,250 plus £8000 for grouting (unbelievable costs) and the lift £16, 915, which does add credence to the decision to NOT proceed with purely cosmetic decorations as opposed to those we have to. And remember Vat now @ 20% so all will cost more and then add on Agent's fees loading etc etc - the original £47, 406 overall cost (3 years ago almost) would now be well over £60,000 all in which is ludicrous.
Julie Freeman has been advised by both Dr Riad and myself that only the minimal should be proceeded with. Segar has never replied to my emails so not sure if he also contacted Julie. If not, please do so, Segar and let me know any worries, queries or objections.
As regards the latest recent demand for Service Charges etc plus the budget for 2011 - I have the following comments - firstly, in the budget is a provision for £15000 Reserve Fund - in the last set of accounts furnished by Julie Freeman @ KFH for year ending Dec 2009 there was £44,185 in reserves - that's plenty to cover the proposed internals (well overdue as indeed they were last done over a decade ago and in fact should be done around ever 7 years I think) - BUT the internals are the least of our worries - it's the EXTERNALS that cost the earth - last done 8 years ago at a cost of £80,000 approx - and indeed due again pretty soon as they, too, are meant to be done every 7 years and they are considered very important the owner/freeholder etc to maintain their miserable property - and we have very, very little input into what and does not need doing - they simply get everything done including scaffolding costing £25,000...!
So, the reserves do still need topping up....
Regarding the last set of accounts (December 2009) I did, as usual, queried a few items most notably the electricity costs for the common parts and lift along with some ludicrous charges for various items (copy attached at end of this email) - I am still await answers on most especially the electrics (due to non payment of bills, they get a £50 penalty which we pay etc etc) Happens a lot. Other queried costs such as £256 to replace a broken window pane on one door, £1380 for a drain pipe etc - all in email.
That's it - copying to Dr Riad in Egypt till late January and Segar as usual - and I will email Julie Freeman with comments as regards old queries to accounts remaining unanswered, the minimal decorations ONLY, which I hope you, too, will do, Michele post our discussion and my reasons outlined above, and a couple of comments re: the latest budget for 2011 - most notably the electricity £1200 which is very high (but until my previous queries are answered re: electricity amounts, I cannot be sure).
Love and luck for 2011 - again thanks for call Michele, love, Paul (not to
Segar, though!)