2941 Waiting for gas

We purchased an apartment south of Pisa in November 2005, paying the full asking price and the agents 4% commission. It is in a very nice little village in a restored building of 16 apartments with communal pool and parking.

It has been in construction since early 2004 to my knowledge and, apart from finishing touches outside and painting of pool, is now finished.

Problem.....no sign of Toscana Gas coming to connect to the building:mad: :confused:

Surely two years is enough for anybody, no matter how laid back or inefficient they may be. The builder/developer has, according to the agent been to the gas office but, as yet, nothing.

We have already cancelled one family trip, half term this Feb. and rebooked for Easter, as you are aware, Ryanair are not cheap when it comes to changes to itinerary, so far for four of us an extra £160.

Help what do we do???

Category
Cost of living - Utility Services

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2006 - 08:22

Oh dear - hard luck. Happened to me with British Gas some years ago!!
I assume it is the whole development of 16 apartments which is waiting on the gas supply?
If this is the case, and if Toscana Gas have some big infrastructure work to do which will involve a further long wait, it might be possible for all 16 apartments to get together and arrange a temporary "gas in a large canister" (bombolone) on site.
Whether this is an option depends on whether Toscana Gas are promising to supply LPG or Methane in the long term, since the boilers and cookers which I assume are installed will have been selected for the appropriate gas, and I don't think you can do methane in a canister.
However, it is possible that the delay is not due to needing to dig up roads and lay pipes, but purely a matter of the proprietor(s) (ie you and the other 16) needing to sign a contract for the supply. It might seem crazy to you, (certainly does to me!), but developers absolutely never enter into contracts with utilities companies in Italy. It would be worth checking that it isn't just some trivial misunderstanding which is holding up the gas.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2006 - 08:31

Good post relaxed - your character seems to fit your name more now that you have blown off some steam. :D

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2006 - 08:38

I believe it is the whole building that needs connection. As I understand, all the pipes are in-situ and it is just a matter of them turning up, that is what we have been told. This is what I do not understand, if all is ready, what is the problem, nobody tells us. The agent is at La Dolce Vita and I hope to get info on progress/lack of this Friday.

Had we known the situation we would not have gone ahead or, at least held back a percentage of the price, you live and learn I suppose!

The sad thing is that, after a very long time of looking it's starting to turn sour and, I'm almost not looking forward to it anymore:(

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2006 - 09:12

Don't get downhearted!
It does sound to me as if this could be a contractual rather than an excavator based delay.
If you are going to have your own gas meter, on the Toscana Gas line, and if the Gas Company's pipeline is all in place from "the main road" into the development site, then it would seem to me that you should make it clear you wish to enter into the contract, in your name, and the gasman should come and turn the tap on!
There is one potential snag (which I hope doesn't create problems for you - it shouldn't if the development is complete) - and this is that the gas supplier will not turn on the gas until they have a certificate from the plumber/heating engineer confirming that all work has been completed and certified.
If you have your own meter, and your apartment is complete, I can't forsee any difficulties, but if the development itself isn't complete it is possible that some part of the "gas regs" (which are extremely tough for everyone's protection) could prevent a gas supply being connected.
I suggest you ask your agents the following questions, to try to get to the heart of the delay.
1: Is the supply pipework from Toscana Gas on site? (NOT is all the pipework which is the responsibility of the developer finished - this is a different question!)
2: Is the gas installation in my apartment comleted and certificated?
3: Is the gas installation in the development as a whole completed and certificated?
4: Will I have my own meter? If so, when can I sign the contract for the supply? (This will cost something like 200 Euros, taxes plus a deposit etc.)
Then, if the answer to question 1 is not an unequivocal yes, ask about the possibility of a "communal" bombolone.
I think you are suggesting that you will take up these queries with your agents at La Dolce Vita - don't be too hard on them if they can't give you definitive answers in the middle of a trade show!!
Good luck

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2006 - 09:15

Hello,

Not sure if this might help but I agree with Relaxed suggesting you get together with the other owners in the complex - some of them might already have started making inquiries.

Also - can't you contact the gas supplier direct?

Fingers crossed!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2006 - 11:08

As for not getting annoyed with the agent....they have taken 4% off me and whatever % from the vendor. Unless this is the very first property they have sold (which it isn't) they should have been able to advise us as to the procedure for connection of services and anything else for that matter.

What really gets me is that "I DON'T KNOW" and they should know!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2006 - 20:07

I hear you Vince my Agent told me that the gas main was being laid to our village, the only problem is I'm on the wrong side of the village and no one can or won't tell me when the last 980 metre will be laid, yes I've actually measured it.
But on the plus side I don't have to worry about the gas bill.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/08/2006 - 08:31

Hi ya

Looks like I won't be getting a gas bill for a coulpe of years.

I finally got hold of our local METEO man, only to be told I was the lucky one, because although the gas main is there, just a metre from thier houses, alot of the houses are still not connected due to lack of funds.

But there is a happy ending, because we now had to have a back boiler, the chap that's making it for us was round talking prices, when I happen to mention that my mum was looking for a AGA type stove.
he replies "I've got one, you can have it, but I need it moved out my way by weekend".
I collected it the following day, It's in perfect condition.:D
He refuses to take any money for it, because I done him the favour of getting out of his way quickly.
I've placed the order for a boiler all the railings and the security gates for the front and patio doors.
Cost us 200 euro to fit the flue plus my UK electric drill and my pride when the fitter fell about laughing when he saw the drill I trying to use, OK I will admit after seening the size of his drill I was impressed, but it still took him over 2 hours, metre thick walls built of rocks.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/08/2006 - 10:49

Apparently it's not so much the size of the drill as.....(edited);)