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Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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Management says they "need to understand the issues"

Some of the homeowners at the Belize Yacht Club (BYC) are not happy with new developments on the property and have gone public with their frustrations. Their issues include concerns over rental money from the rental pool, the turning off of lights from common areas and the inconvenience of not having a functional pool at the resort. But according to the Manager of BYC Sergio Torres while the homeowners have valid concerns, they need to understand what has led to some of these issues.

Of the 44 units on the property 14 are owned by homeowners, while the others are owned by the management of the BYC. According to one homeowner, many bought their properties with plans of renting half of their property to cover expenses while they lived in the other half. "We are not wealthy people. Because Sergio Torres and his partner Michael Singh hold the hotel license issued by Belize Tourism Board, we must do all rentals through them. Accordingly, many of us have signed a Rental Pool Agreement allowing Sergio Torres (Island Club Resorts) exclusivity to rent out our units," said a homeowner in an email to the media.

In an interview with The San Pedro Sun, Torres explained that of the 14 homeowners, only seven are in the rental pool with two more expressing interest to joining. "Most of the buildings are owned by us (BYC management) but the issue is not with the homeowners in the rental pool. The real issue is with those not in the rental pool who are making it difficult for others," said Torres.

According to the frustrated homeowners one of the issues is that "despite the fact that there has been almost full occupancy for the past four months we have not received any rental money or accounting statements. The Homeowners Association responded by requesting a full accounting report be supplied by BYC Maintenance and BYC Rental Pool." Torres explained that the rental pool has only been in existence since January 2013 and reports and payment to the homeowners are scheduled to be conducted quarterly. "We have just completed our quarterly report which is due for reporting by mid-month. We will make payments to homeowners quarterly and the full report will be done in the next few days," responded Torres. He added that a few of the homeowners who are not in the rental pool are beginning to create mischief because of problems with the common areas.

In a letter to the media a homeowner wrote that "on April 2nd Sergio Torres's response to our accounting request was as follows: He turned off the electricity to common area, he emptied the swimming pool, he turned all paying guests away thus denying us income. He refused admission to all agents and trades people working for the owners." In response Torres said that the turning off of lights, emptying of pool and refusal of guest has nothing to do with rental pool inquires. "These people need to understand what the real problem is," said Torres who added that "what is happening is that because some of the homeowners are not paying for maintenance of common areas we have to cut down on expenses. We cannot sustain running the pool and the electrical expenses and even paying for gardening if some are not paying for those services. Without a pool and some of the common areas not being kept, you cannot expect us to be renting the units," Torres explained. He said that in the past, BYC had been subsidizing expenses for homeowners who were not paying for common area expenses. "We can no longer afford to do so," said Torres. As such, BYC has been forced to take drastic measures until a deal can be struck with homeowners who have been piggybacking on those who pay. According to Torres, this is not the first time they have taken such measures to settle similar disputes and have even resorted to court action. As such, Torres said that BYC will be looking at the legal options to get those homeowners who are not paying, to do so through the court, since it is putting other homeowners at an inconvenience.

Some of the homeowners have written to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) requesting them to revoke the home rental license for Island Club Resort. The homeowners have asked BTB to replace their license with one issued to BYC Homeowners Association. All attempts to speak to someone at the Quality Assurance Department at BTB were futile.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun


Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 391
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Ridiculous. Follow the money...

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 168
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Sounds like the beginnings of another Reef Village to me.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,479
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Not like this hasn't been going on for 15 or so years...

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 176
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I rented there in 2008 and this has been going on since that time or at least that long. The home owners need to stand up to Sergio.


mary
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 955
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The management there are like the Gestapo you only have to read Trip advisor to see what the past guests think of their stay and what they think of the management.

Like people say, been going on for a long long time, not only with the rental units, they also chased Peter out of the dive shop by locking the gate etc, ITS VERY CLEAR who is at fault here and its not the homeowners.

In his own words. BYC own the majority of the units and 14 are owned by homeowners, but ONLY 7 are in the rental pool, so they are turning the lights off, and emptying the pool, because of 7 owners, WOW, that alone shows the attitude of the Management.

I particulary liked the comment (one of many negative ones) on tripadvisor describing the BYC

LIPSTICK ON A PIG LOL

Shame really because it used to be a fantastic property when I had the dive shop there but that was many moons ago, now I could never recommend the place based on whats going on there. I always said Sergio and co need to retire and put some people persons in there it would be like night and day.

Some people are just not cut out for the hospitality trade and Sergio and co are at the top of the list.

Last edited by Gaz Cooper; 04/15/13 07:52 AM.
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 13,675
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There is a problem. We can't even pick people up and drop them off on the BYC dock, we have to use the neighboring dock. Damned unfriendly atmosphere.


White Sands Dive Shop
https://whitesandsdiveshop.com/
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Do you own at RV?
Originally Posted by SnowWhite5080
Sounds like the beginnings of another Reef Village to me.

Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 955
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Originally Posted by elbert
There is a problem. We can't even pick people up and drop them off on the BYC dock, we have to use the neighboring dock. Damned unfriendly atmosphere.


I think that fact Elbert, CLEARLY shows the attitude of the management at the BYC, buyer beware.

Last edited by Gaz Cooper; 04/15/13 07:49 AM.
Joined: Apr 2013
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Please see reply to BYC from the Homeowners:





Dear Sirs,

We, the homeowners in the Belize Yacht Club and members of the Homeowners' Association for same - namely "100 Coconut Drive Homeowners' Association" are writing to correct misinformation that you were given by Sergio Torres in a recent interview.


1. The facts contained in the letter from Gerrard Greene are 100% accurate. Mr. Greene, the writer, is a relative of one of the owners.

2. Mr. Torres has inaccurately represented the number of units in BYC - the following numbers are accurate:

� There are 45 units in BYC
� BYC owns 11 units
� Private individuals own 34 units

3. The Rental Pool comprises the following number of units

� 6 units owned by BYC
� 13 units owned by private individuals (These owners have no choice but use BYC for Rentals)


4. 21 Privately owned units are NOT in the Rental Pool.

� Please note the majority of owners have chosen to stay outside the rental pool not a small minority as Mr. Torres represents us.



A new Rental Pool commenced in October 2012. The Homeowners are 100% unanimous in their request that Rental Pool statements be provided in a timely manner..

A. The Rental Pool statement that was due January 10, 2013 was delivered on 11th April.

B. The Rental Pool Statement that was due April 10, 2013 has yet to be supplied.

C. Should these statements and supporting documentation not be provided we wish that BTB cancel the Hotel License issued to Island Club Resorts


Furthermore the Homeowners are unanimous in their request that :

A. Maintenance provides the HOA with the 1st Quarter Operating Statement by April 15. This Operating statement should include proof of all income and expenses in accordance with the agreed budget.

B. On April 1, the Homeowners paid to BYC sufficient funds to cover expenses for the month of April. BYC maintenance is claiming they need more. Upon receipt of the 1st Quarter Operating Statement the HOA will pay BYC maintenance any further funds they may be due.

C. BYC Maintenance must provide the HOA with operating statements, including proof of all income and expenses in accordance with the agreed budget, by 15th of each following month.

D. BYC Maintenance must pay all employees all past wages that are their due

E. BYC Maintenance must stop sending employees to the Homeowners units with requests for wages saying that the Homeowners have not paid money to BYC which is totally untrue.

F. BYC Maintenance must resume all services that BYC Maintenance are contractually obligated to provide and have been paid for




We would also like to take this opportunity to say that despite our differences that the Homeowners and Management are working together for the benefit of all.


Regards

100 Coconut Drive Homeowners Assn.


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