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visit the property during rush hours and the hottest and
coldest part of the day;
check provision for
parking cars;
for your benefit,
make sure that all agreements made by the landlord be stipulated in writing
in the contract and as much as possible be fulfilled prior to signing the
contract and certainly prior to moving in;
ensure that there
are enough power points, especially in the kitchen; and that 2-pin sockets
with metal bars on either side are earthed;
confirm that the
electricity supply can cope with your appliances;
confirm that if you
move into an apartment/house with a vacant plot nearby that building is not
going to start in the near future;
confirm that you
may hang pictures on the walls;
be aware that sewage systems are
generally poor and many properties, even the newest are built with
incredibly narrow pipes. It is
very important to check as to
whether you can flush toilet paper or whether you must use a waste bin
next to the toilet. The consequences
for not conforming to this very important point are quite revolting;
request
confirmation that plumbing, electric and heating systems have been serviced
and are in good working condition;
has the property
got a solar system as this will decrease your heating bill for hot water
considerably;
Siesta hours 1400 –
1730hrs are sacred in Greece! If you do not intend to keep the
same hours check with your neighbours as to whether your lifestyle will be
a problem to them (especially playtime for children) or their life style to
you. Greek families including
children stay up much later especially in the summer;
check on
restrictions with regard to pets;
apartments facing
north and east get the cold wind in the winter. Apartments facing west get the afternoon sun and are
very hot in the summer. Those
facing south have the sun above the apartment in the summer most of the day
(type preferred by the Greeks);
top floor
apartments therfore should be well insulated or they will be very hot in
the summer and very cold in the winter;
consider the
proximities of the balconies.
During the summer the Greeks tend to live on their balconies with
television and radios playing into the small hours;
older properties have
little noise insulation. Normal, daily habits of neighbours may carry
through the walls to you;
check distances to
the nearest park or play areas to the property, keeping in mind that your
children need a safe place to play especially during the siesta hours;
the 'thermosyphono'
(hot water heater) uses considerable electric power. Ensure the capacity can accommodate
your family’s needs and confirm its age and whether it has been maintained;
Central Heating -
check whether it is communal or whether you have an independent
system. If communal, what
hours is the heating turned on?
Heating is always less effective on the upper floors. Remember if you have Greek
neighbours they may not want the heating on at the same hours as you do;
the garden should
be put in good order before you
move in. Good gardeners are
expensive and rare. Confirm
whether the landlord will provide a gardener and whether the cost is
included in the rent as is customary or is an extra. A lot of watering is required in
the summer months which is both expensive and time consuming;
be sure to know where the septic tank
is. Many houses are not
connected to the main drains and it is the tenant’s responsibility to empty
the tank.
check, if an
apartment/maisonette, whether you have a separate water meter or if you
share with neighbours. This
can prove expensive if you have a large family living next to you who
consume large amounts of water and the water meter is not separate. This caution needs to be applied to
the electricity supply also.
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