real estate

Owners report problems

Residents of two separate projects say contractors have failed to keep their promises.

Some homeowners feel cheated, and say the government should keep a closer eye on developers.

víctor arosemena/la prensa

undone: A fence blocks the way to a planned social area in the Bosques de Cibeles project that was never completed. Residents say they feel the developer cheated them by not building it.1102290

Residents of Bosques de Cibeles, a project that was built by Colonias de Panama on Vía Ricardo J. Alfaro, are complaining that they have waited eight years for the promised social area to be ready.

One owner, Rodolfo Bundy, who purchased his house for $137,500, feels cheated.

“We were told that the social area was a bit delayed, but that it would be ready no later than one year,” he said. “But it has never become a reality.”

Other residents say their homes are flooded by sewage from toilets and drains because the pipes are filled with construction debris.

The director of municipal works and construction for San Miguelito, Erick Zapata, admitted that there have been problems with the project, and that it has suspended the permits for construction and occupation until the sewage problems are addressed.

The municipality has fined the promoter, but Zapata said the government is limited in what other steps it can take.

“We have to enforce the rules and also assist in the process,” Zapata said.

The Ministerio de Vivienda has given approval for the developer to begin work on the project's social area, but work has not yet started.

Faarup Henry, president of Colonias de Panama, said that the delay in handling the sewage problem was due to technical problems with a treatment plant. As for the recreation area, he said that a landslide has delayed the project.

“It is a fairly steep descent,” he said, adding that a new location for the social area has been selected, and that it will be done as part of the project's fourth stage.

Property owners are reporting problems with another project, Villa Daniela in the neighborhood of 24 de Diciembre. According to them, the promotor Minus Venta, did not follow approved plans, and built 24 houses with parking areas that are too small.

In some cases, a portion of the project's parking lots are on public roads.

Eduardo Espino, legal secretary of the Dirección de Obras y Construcciones Municipales de Panamá (Docmp), said that 17 subpoenas have been issued in the case, but so far they have been ignored.

Ema de Ford, one of the residents, asked if anyone checked the building before allowing them to be occupied.

Minus Venta officials did not respond to queries from La Prensa seeking comment.

Attorney Gabriel Lawson recommended that, before signing a contract, consumers should seek advice from a lawyer so that potential problems can be avoided. If the developer fails to comply with the contract, a complaint can be made to the Autoridad de Protección al Consumidor (Acodeco).

“In some cases, an agreement can be reached,” he said. “But it may be necessary to hire a lawyer to pursue legal action.”