INTRODUCTION – AMAY PROPERTIES PART 2
We continue to share our story in AMAY Properties Part 2 of Abuse and Mistrust, detailing our stressful experience with AMAY Properties, a builder in Spain. As of December 25th, 2024, they have yet to fulfil their contractual obligations after selling us an unfinished villa, lacking a Habitation Certificate, in June 2024. We launched part one of our story three weeks ago, with the final chapter scheduled for January 2025. Our story chronicles our journey of buying a second property from AMAY Properties and how they treat clients with disdain and contempt, failing in their moral and legal obligations to fulfil contracts.
Our story is not about money but about honour and integrity—qualities that AMAY Properties and their employees do not possess.
Contrary to claims of defamation or insult by AMAY Properties in legal communications, our story is backed by verifiable facts, imagery, emails, and WhatsApp messages. It highlights deception, dishonesty, and heartbreak at the hands of AMAY Properties. By exposing these underhanded practices, we aim to help others make informed decisions when purchasing their dream homes in Spain and protect them from similar disillusionment and anguish.
PART TWO – 2023
January began with a flurry of activity. We visited the villa on January 4th and made it a weekly routine to check on developments. This proved to be a wise decision.
The Mysterious Wall
During our first visit, we discovered a wall in the middle of the living room, beside the stairs. This two-meter-wide, three-meter-tall wall served no purpose. The area should have had a glass baluster rail. Upon checking the plans, we confirmed the wall was not included. We contacted our Sales Executive from AMAY, who reassured us not to worry.
On January 9th, there was a site meeting to discuss the wall, but I wasn’t invited. The decision was made to remove the wall. Later, AMAY sent a text stating, “All sorted, they are going to do it just the way you want.” This wasn’t entirely accurate, as we never agreed to the wall in the first place. We only wanted what was in the original plan. The wall was removed. For now!
We met with our Sales Executive from AMAY on January 13th to discuss cosmetic changes in the solarium kitchen and window blinds. We reviewed the plans and left feeling hopeful.
On Monday, we received an email from Janine Friedrich, the head of aftersales. She claimed responsibility for completing our property. She informed us that no more changes would be allowed. I replied on the 16th, explaining that the changes we suggested were cosmetic, not structural. Additionally, there was an issue with a door aperture in the basement that we wanted to opened as a doorway.
These events have made our journey with AMAY Properties challenging, but we remain vigilant in ensuring our dream villa is completed as planned.
Her response was as follows: “I am sorry, but we cannot respect the last changes that you sent me here by email”.
On the same day, we also received another email from Janine Friedrich, advising us that “she”, was the sole contact for us from now onward, all communications were to be directed to her.
Memories and Concerns
Memories came flooding back from when we moved into our old home in 2019. There was a snag list to be completed, and Janine Friedrich was our point of contact. I suddenly remembered the phone calls with her, where she screamed abuse at me and hung up the phone. This was when we began to worry about getting AMAY Properties to comply with the contract.
We chose to ignore the Head of Aftersales’ instruction and continued liaising with Astrid. She had been a pillar of integrity throughout our journey. We arranged to select tiles at the tile store and awaited the pricing. We had chosen the same tile as the showrooms but in a different size for our home. Later, we discovered they no longer allowed the use of tiles in production.
Architect’s Visit
In mid-January, the architect wanted to visit our old home. He came on the 16th to recall how he had constructed the first-floor extension. After revisiting his creation, he remembered the construction details. Everything seemed good, and he left to form the plan to extend the floor in our new home.
Site Meeting
We had a site meeting around January 14th. The Architect, Janine Friedrich (Head of Aftersales), Astrid Stamper (Sales Executive), and we were present. The meeting focused on the layout of the basement and where the walls were to be constructed. We discussed the stairwell and the entrances, and everyone was in agreement. However, Janine appeared too busy gazing at her mobile phone throughout the briefing to pay any real attention.
These events highlight our ongoing challenges with AMAY Properties, but we remain committed to ensuring our new home meets our expectations.
Other small minor things happen, such as selecting the kitchen materials, all of which are included in the Property, yet, when you go to select, it always cost extra.
On January 30th, I received a text from our Sales Executive. She had been told to “stay out of Janine’s business.” She was upset, and so were we. Now, we had to deal with a representative from AMAY who showed little time or regard for clients.
Shower Size Issue
The plumber informed us that the size of the shower wouldn’t fit in the area marked out by the Architect. Our contract specified a 1-meter-wide shower, but only an 800mm shower would fit. Remember, the architect, Astrid, and I measured this space for our bathroom just a few weeks ago.
Several emails were exchanged on this day, fighting for what was agreed and contracted. After being accused of “making changes,” I wrote a complaint email to Janine Friedrich, Head of Aftersales. My complaint summarized our experience and pointed out that if I weren’t spotting the “mistakes” the builder was making, AMAY Properties would cost more in the long term. I also sought confirmation on contracted items, a recurring theme now. Importantly, my complaint was about a new wall on the basement stairs.
Discovering Another Wall
We had just visited the property and discovered another wall. Yes, it’s hard to imagine, but there was yet another unwanted wall. It was 2 meters by 3 meters, built on the basement stairs, dividing the stairs from a passage that went nowhere. This wall, like the previous one, served no purpose whatsoever and didn’t even add aesthetically to the environment.
The response received was even more worrying, where the Head of Aftersales offered to cut a hole in the wall, at no cost to us, but if we wanted the wall removed, it would cost us. We argued again that the wall was not in any plan, nor served any purpose, but this fell on deaf ears. Also my complaint was totally ignored.
February 1st brought another disheartening text from Astrid Stamper. She informed me, “I have been told not to get involved in something that is not my problem.” This made it clear that we could no longer liaise with our Sales Executive. This was upsetting, as I really liked her. She is full of life, enthusiasm, and always aims to do what’s best for the client. However, it seemed the Head of Aftersales had different plans.
Unmet Contractual Obligations
Upon reviewing all the emails today, I realized we had not only paid for the installation of a bathroom in the basement but also paid extra for tiling, bathroom fittings, and air conditioning for the basement. As of December 25th, 2024, none of these have been constructed.
Another dispute arose over additional changes to the kitchen. We had made small changes to the kitchen counters, with a proposed cost of €2520. After some argument, it was realized that many of these additions were already included in our home price. The final addition cost ended up at €900. I must point out that this practice seems to be the norm with this company. Everything is considered extra, whether it is or not, and one must fight and prove otherwise at each step.
More Unfulfilled Agreements
In our email on February 6th, we agreed to a blue tile line on the pool steps. This never happened. Around this time, we also addressed the drainage issue in the carport. It was confirmed again that there would be drainage in the carport. However, the house is now finished, and there is no drainage in the carport.
We visited the property on February 13th and discovered the cabling for the wall lights in the living room was in the wrong place. The cable for the TV in the guest room was also in the wrong location. These issues were resolved without confrontation.
The following week, on February 21st, we visited the property again and found the infamous wall in the basement was still there. We emailed the Head of Aftersales, who informed us that she would look into it.
On a different basement wall, we requested a new opening to create a doorway into a subdivided room. This request was denied by Janine, despite the fact that the basement would not be complete until after the deed was signed. There was ample time to create the opening.
We had another dispute regarding Cat 5 cabling. We had agreed and contracted the preinstall and cable type. Now, the Head of Aftersales advised that they could not lay the cable where I had indicated and decided to place the cabling elsewhere. She had no idea what the cabling was for but felt she could change the location of the outpoints. We argued and eventually met with the electrician on site. He saw no issue and situated the cabling where we had requested.
This was becoming routine. Every time we agreed on something and had it contracted, it suddenly couldn’t be delivered. Each case led to an avoidable row, which could have been averted if AMAY Properties took responsibility for their mistakes.
I decided to make a general complaint to Janine Friedrich, Head of Aftersales, and copied Lea Garcia, CEO of AMAY Properties, and my lawyer. I later carbon-copied Carmello Murcia, Director of AMAY Properties, after requesting his email address from the office crew and being ignored.