Chamrousse- L'ecrin des Neiges

For those that don't yet know what the Transmontagne letter says, I've translated it and have pasted it below: There are a couple of words that don't quite make sense but you will get the drift. Question is do we have any choice but to accept the prospect of lower rent that would seem to depend upon how successful the new management Company has been in renting out during the year - might just as well have bought the place with no leaseback and rented it privately - at least I'd be in control then.

Cheers, Graham

Madame, Monsieur,<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Then the Judgment rendered by the Tribunal de Commerce of Lyon on October 16 last year, I would like to get in touch with you in my capacity as assignee of the management activities residence tourism previously exploited by the Ste TRANSMONTAGNE.

Of course, I understand the feeling of legitimate concern to you live, a lie inherent uncertainty of the procedure liquidation just take place.

Remember, first and foremost, that the assignment plan that I depose and that has been accepted by the Court was designed, among other things, on the one hand ensure continuity of management and on the other hand the uniqueness of this management of the residence in which you acquired an apartment, conditions and legal imperatives of maintaining the tax advantages that you have been granted when your investment.

To do so, as the Court imposes a transfer or assignment to my benefit of the property or the use of common parts necessary for the operation in the residence status of tourism, by the promoters of trustees or condominiums.

The plan also includes transferring the resumption of a large portion of employee previously by TRANSMONTAGNE affects a management and maintenance of your residence, as well as the hosting of the clientele, in order to ensure concrete way starting up for the next winter season 2007/2008.

The Judgment we invests the status of single manager, securities tenure common to the reception, maintenance, maintaining the status excluding any other operator who could not in any case retain the rank of your residence tourism, which remember allowed you extra tax benefits.

Let me mention to you that I am a head of a group hOtelier implements for many years, including in winter sports resorts (Hotel sun PRA LOUP, two Hotels du Soleil has ISOLA 2000, Hotel PIERRE WHITE to MENUIRES, Hotels du Soleil has GRIMAUD and CARCASSONNE and a firm TOUR OPERATOR (SIA EUREKA TOUR).

My position on the issue TRANSMONTAGNE has therefore established as part of a logical development of a complementary activity to that of tourism hotelier in which I’ve been involved for many years, in a region I know well.

This being raised, and in order to answer your most urgent concerns, I will indicate that the commercial rent that you signed with the St. TRANSMONTAGNE on an apartment that you are the owner and you had acquired as part of a the program has real estate taxation incentives have been convicted, due to the pronounced judgment of the Commercial Court of Lyon on October 16 last year, a judicial cancellation.

The assignment plan that I have developed and which has been accepted by the Court says, and stresses the absolute need to ensure the continuity of the management activities residence tourism renegotiate with all the owners of residences a new tourism commercial lease confide in which you manage your property has one of my companies.

I intend to propose a new commercial lease with a rent evoluerait parallel progression turnover which I plan to achieve your residence with the goal being a return as fast as possible even at current rent an exceeded, the very low level of average revenue per week for each bed (27 €) allows me to foreseeing rapid growth that you benefit in the coming years.

Of course our proposal will include, for owners who enjoyed, the possibilities for vacation stays.

You will receive, before the tax deadline of November 16, a proposal for a commercial lease, including a decline provisional rent that you led a charge, since the lease you sign with the St. TRANSMONTAGNE originally does not, in the current state of forecast and considering the rent he mentions, profitable this activity, or even to achieve any balance of this year.

Sera also joined the proposal for a lease that very soon you will receive a table estimates of turnover can be realized for your residence, depending on the quality thereof and factors local commercialite inherent to the usual parameters sconces, the reputation of the station, the quality of the ski area, the coefficient of snow, distance from the tracks.

This will help to build a coherent and realistic estimates in a transparent manner to you in turnover and its evolution which has will be determined the amount of rent that will be proposed and its progression.

Indeed, if the activity of single residence manager of tourism is not profitable, and does not even achieve a financial balance, it is what is happening to St. TRANSMONTAGNE is a dire one depot balance, with all the consequences that this leads, in particular for you in terms of loss of rent.

The goal in the resumption of Ste TRANSMONTAGNE RESIDENCES is to ensure ons perenne, regular and secure the continuation of this activity.

As such, it seemed evident that the development of tourist residences could not being promoted by the synergy that I intend to put in place with the activities of my group, including my firm and my TOUR OPERATOR trade relations with the largest groups of European OPERATING TOUR, which will promote and market the product among the wider clientele.

Of course, subject to the tax consequences that you have a personal liability, you do is no obligation to contract on the basis that I suggest, since part of the effect of inducing the ruling cancellation of your commercial lease, liberte contract with full and complete effect.

You have to know that pronounces judgment of the Commercial Court of LYON involves the immediate cancellation of various subscriptions (water, electricity, energy), and the apartments do not have individual meters, you would, in this case, Seek your installation charges before the so-called re subscriptions.

To avoid this situation, in view of the winter season and the freezing, we will now proceed to the transfer of general subscriptions to our charge, although with no certainty about the nature of the answer that you led us give

Nevertheless, I draw your attention to the fact that you would then be obliged to manage your live in the apartment renting yourself, or occupant; being precise than for most residences, we are now owner of movables your apartment.

In this case, you do beneficieriez addition to the residence status of tourism c1assee, which means, under the applicable legislation, the presence of a single manager providing management of at least 70% of the apartments in residence (paragraph III of Article 1 of the Decree of the Ministry of Commerce, Handicrafts and Tourism of 14 February 1986 amends attached), and subsequently the loss of tax advantages that you had been made, the actual loss may to be retroactive

The proposal for a commercial lease, which will be made, notwithstanding the decline in rent, which is, I am aware, a non-negligible effort on your part, nevertheless present a certain attractiveness as regards a substantial improvement was short and medium term turnover of the residence, including a proposal for complementary interest in fixed rent on the basis of turnover achieved, the development of systems such as scholarships or vacation stays Exchange, covering all existing residences and coming hotels and the sun, an opportunity to contribute to marketing.

.

We will be very attaches to the maintenance and the maintenance of the building and apartments, according to the standards applicable in a hotel type in which we practice (3 stars).

A single telephone number will be in operation has the exclusive use of owners of the residences concerned. They will communicate when sending the proposal for a lease and will allow you to get all the information desired.

I wish you good reception of this, and ask you to believe in the expression of my best feelings.

The Manager,

Jean-Paul SCHAEFFER

I'll try again as clearly the last go missed the LHS off:

Graham

AIX EN <?:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />PROVENCE, October 17, 2007<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Madame, Monsieur,

Then the Judgment rendered by the Tribunal de Commerce of Lyon on October 16 last year, I would like to get in touch with you in my capacity as assignee of the management activities residence tourism previously exploited by the Ste TRANSMONTAGNE.

Of course, I understand the feeling of legitimate concern to you live, a lie inherent uncertainty of the procedure liquidation just take place.

Remember, first and foremost, that the assignment plan that I depose and that has been accepted by the Court was designed, among other things, on the one hand ensure continuity of management and on the other hand the uniqueness of this management of the residence in which you acquired an apartment, conditions and legal imperatives of maintaining the tax advantages that you have been granted when your investment.

To do so, as the Court imposes a transfer or assignment to my benefit of the property or the use of common parts necessary for the operation in the residence status of tourism, by the promoters of trustees or condominiums.

The plan also includes transferring the resumption of a large portion of employee previously by TRANSMONTAGNE affects a management and maintenance of your residence, as well as the hosting of the clientele, in order to ensure concrete way starting up for the next winter season 2007/2008.

The Judgment we invests the status of single manager, securities tenure common to the reception, maintenance, maintaining the status excluding any other operator who could not in any case retain the rank of your residence tourism, which remember allowed you extra tax benefits.

Let me mention to you that I am a head of a group hOtelier implements for many years, including in winter sports resorts (Hotel sun PRA LOUP, two Hotels du Soleil has ISOLA 2000, Hotel PIERRE WHITE to MENUIRES, Hotels du Soleil has GRIMAUD and CARCASSONNE and a firm TOUR OPERATOR (SIA EUREKA TOUR).

My position on the issue TRANSMONTAGNE has therefore established as part of a logical development of a complementary activity to that of tourism hotelier in which I’ve been involved for many years, in a region I know well.

This being raised, and in order to answer your most urgent concerns, I will indicate that the commercial rent that you signed with the St. TRANSMONTAGNE on an apartment that you are the owner and you had acquired as part of a the program has real estate taxation incentives have been convicted, due to the pronounced judgment of the Commercial Court of Lyon on October 16 last year, a judicial cancellation.

The assignment plan that I have developed and which has been accepted by the Court says, and stresses the absolute need to ensure the continuity of the management activities residence tourism renegotiate with all the owners of residences a new tourism commercial lease confide in which you manage your property has one of my companies.

I intend to propose a new commercial lease with a rent evoluerait parallel progression turnover which I plan to achieve your residence with the goal being a return as fast as possible even at current rent an exceeded, the very low level of average revenue per week for each bed (27 €) allows me to foreseeing rapid growth that you benefit in the coming years.

Of course our proposal will include, for owners who enjoyed, the possibilities for vacation stays.

You will receive, before the tax deadline of November 16, a proposal for a commercial lease, including a decline provisional rent that you led a charge, since the lease you sign with the St. TRANSMONTAGNE originally does not, in the current state of forecast and considering the rent he mentions, profitable this activity, or even to achieve any balance of this year.

Sera also joined the proposal for a lease that very soon you will receive a table estimates of turnover can be realized for your residence, depending on the quality thereof and factors local commercialite inherent to the usual parameters sconces, the reputation of the station, the quality of the ski area, the coefficient of snow, distance from the tracks.

This will help to build a coherent and realistic estimates in a transparent manner to you in turnover and its evolution which has will be determined the amount of rent that will be proposed and its progression.

Indeed, if the activity of single residence manager of tourism is not profitable, and does not even achieve a financial balance, it is what is happening to St. TRANSMONTAGNE is a dire one depot balance, with all the consequences that this leads, in particular for you in terms of loss of rent.

The goal in the resumption of Ste TRANSMONTAGNE RESIDENCES is to ensure ons perenne, regular and secure the continuation of this activity.

As such, it seemed evident that the development of tourist residences could not being promoted by the synergy that I intend to put in place with the activities of my group, including my firm and my TOUR OPERATOR trade relations with the largest groups of European OPERATING TOUR, which will promote and market the product among the wider clientele.

Of course, subject to the tax consequences that you have a personal liability, you do is no obligation to contract on the basis that I suggest, since part of the effect of inducing the ruling cancellation of your commercial lease, liberte contract with full and complete effect.

You have to know that pronounces judgment of the Commercial Court of LYON involves the immediate cancellation of various subscriptions (water, electricity, energy), and the apartments do not have individual meters, you would, in this case, Seek your installation charges before the so-called re subscriptions.

To avoid this situation, in view of the winter season and the freezing, we will now proceed to the transfer of general subscriptions to our charge, although with no certainty about the nature of the answer that you led us give

Nevertheless, I draw your attention to the fact that you would then be obliged to manage your live in the apartment renting yourself, or occupant; being precise than for most residences, we are now owner of movables your apartment.

In this case, you do beneficieriez addition to the residence status of tourism c1assee, which means, under the applicable legislation, the presence of a single manager providing management of at least 70% of the apartments in residence (paragraph III of Article 1 of the Decree of the Ministry of Commerce, Handicrafts and Tourism of 14 February 1986 amends attached), and subsequently the loss of tax advantages that you had been made, the actual loss may to be retroactive

The proposal for a commercial lease, which will be made, notwithstanding the decline in rent, which is, I am aware, a non-negligible effort on your part, nevertheless present a certain attractiveness as regards a substantial improvement was short and medium term turnover of the residence, including a proposal for complementary interest in fixed rent on the basis of turnover achieved, the development of systems such as scholarships or vacation stays Exchange, covering all existing residences and coming hotels and the sun, an opportunity to contribute to marketing.

.

We will be very attaches to the maintenance and the maintenance of the building and apartments, according to the standards applicable in a hotel type in which we practice (3 stars).

A single telephone number will be in operation has the exclusive use of owners of the residences concerned. They will communicate when sending the proposal for a lease and will allow you to get all the information desired.

I wish you good reception of this, and ask you to believe in the expression of my best feelings.

The Manager,

Hi, has anyone else recieved the letter from Mr Albrieux Marc, regarding some of the French owners at Ecrin des Neiges getting together on 30/11/07 to discuss options of the management of the appartments. We will be asked to sign a new lease back contract soon and I'd like to know what my/our options are?

Regards

Dave Groves

thanks for the translation graham.....am in the process of translating the doc from lamy regarding the meeting on 30th nov., although will be unable to attend.

my personal thoughts are that we have very little choice at present...domaine arselle seem much further down the track with two proposals on the table....i believe there are also time constraints if we wish to remain under res tourisme status ( and not have to reimbusre the vat ), although that is also dependent on 70% of owners agreeing to sofisol proposal.

i will be emailing lamy to make sure that minutes/summary are sent out immediately after the meeting on 30/11.

i am concerned about sofisol believing that they now own the furniture!! will be checking the lease agreement and contact sofisol/dubois ( as per the earlier poster ).

i havent received anything from mr albrieux marc, dave, could you tell me who he is and if you have a email address for him??

hopefully the new proposal will be received in the next week. it may be worth collaberating in using a lawyer ( if anyone is interested ) if only to reduce costs per person.

if anyone has any further input, it will be gratefully received .

regards

paul ( A22)

Hi to all,

Mr Albrieux Marc, is a an owner of one of the appartments(I think) he sent a letter from the group of French owners who don't seem happy with SOFISOL's offer and they are talking to M Vacances as a possible alternative. They are meeting on 30/11/07 in Chamrouse. I'd like to go but my french is not good enough and I'd like to know if any other Brits are going on 30/11/07, if so I will go too.

The email address for Mr Albrieux Marc is ecrindesneiges38@orange.fr

Has any one got any more news on where the keys are and can we get our hands on them?

Regards

Dave Groves

07974346096

thanks for that ,dave.

i have received a letter today from mr albieux marc stating the above but it is apparently in english ( havent been home yet ) . i will try and email the guy tonight to get an idea of how many french owners are in contact with him.

M holidays are the other company that domaine arselle owners are speaking to - for me personally i would rather keep the apartment as a leaseback if possible ) dont fancy repaying vay, setting up water, electr meters etc. )

Hi Paul

As you own A22 you're my neighbour as I've got A21 (that could be useful if we end up with less rent but more weeks and then have to rent them privately.

FYI, I've translated the lamy doc as below

Please find enclosed the convening at the first Congregation of the Mission of your condominiums "ECRIN SNOW)) to be held on 30 NOVEMBER 2007 14.00 a Chamrousse.

The co-owners who contacted me, would like to take advantage of this meeting to create an association of defense of the interests of owners sponsors L'Ecrin des Neiges. Massive participation would encourage this answer.

Counting on your presence and in the expectation of pleasure to meet you

We urge you to accept, Madam, the expression of our feelings respectful.

And the attached (pink) letter reads...

I undersigned

Owner custodial dependent parts of the condominiums: <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

ECRIN DES NEIGES

ECRIN DES NEIGES RUE DES CHARDONS BLEUS 38410 CHAMROUSSE

By Donne la presente, power, with the faculty of the subdeleguer a person of his choice, in accordance with my instructions to vote,

From, for me and on my behalf, is a presenter the Congregation of the Mission of the Union of condominiums in the building above aims: Friday, November 30, 2007 was 14.00
For, in my name, deliberate, take all necessary resolutions, broadcast all votes, giving advice, promised in my case, confession and ratification, and I represent all Assemblies to be convened later, with the same agenda in case of default of majority for the first assembly.

Failing to have the name of an agent, I expressly delivering the power has any participant has the general assembly.

Hi

I have appartment A01/02 in L'ecrin.

I have spoken to the guy organising the Domaine D'arselle rear gaurd action tonight. it sounds like they are close to signing an alternative (to Sofisol) deal. We really need to get our act together as owners I think and I think no one should sign in haste or be bullied by Sofisol. there may well be other options.

we have a group of 10 or 15 UK based owners and have been speaking to a French property law firm.

In answer to a much earlier message we are right on the ground (infact sub ground!) floor and can see not much but trees stumps. I have in writting (before we bought) that these trees would be removed (or at least thinned) and I am in the process of pursuing this

I have appartment A57 and am very keen to strike a leaseback deal with another company but as yet have have recived nothing in the way of offers.

has anyone actually recived a substantive offer yet?

Gary.

We also received a letter from Mr Albrieux Marc and agree with Trevor McSharry that all owners should resist signing with Sofisol or anyone else until we are informed of the results of the owners meeting on Nov 30 in Chamrousse.

Gillian and Derry Cronin

thanks once again for the translation graham....agree that could be handy with the apartments next door to each other but certainly hope that we dont have to seek private tenants...

havent had a chance to communicate with sofisol/dubois/albrieux at present but will be doing so this weekend.

thankyou trevor for circulating the list of owners...i was a little concerned that mr albrieux marc was only in contact with 4 other owners...certainly uniting with the foreign owners will help and i hope the assembly on 30th nov will help push the numbers near to /exceed the 70% threshold to retain residence tourisme status

Hi all,

I sent the Transmontagne and lamy letters (and my translations) to the UK agent we bought from and stated, in no uncertain terms, that they have an obligation to help us through these difficult times. Below is their response which is encouraging. I'll keep the forum posted with further developments.

Regards,
Graham White (A21)

Dear client,

I am aware that you have received (or about to receive) a letter from the manager of Transmontagne to give you some news about the situation surrounding the management company and the rental income.

Following the case study by the commercial court of Lyon, they have decided to end the lease agreement because Transmontagne cannot continue to run Chamrousse Ecrin des Neiges. The plan of the Court is to ensure the continuity of the management and they have decided to transfer the development to another organisation named Sofisol.

They can offer you a new lease agreement but the rental yield offered will be fixed according to the turnover estimated for the year 2008 based on different factors (the popularity of the resort, the quality of the slopes, the quality of the snow etc...).

The letter is saying that if you refused their offer and their service you would be responsible to rent out the property on your own which is not was i encourage you to do.

You may be disappointed with their offer but I would like to inform you that the agency (who we worked in partnership for this development) is working on the Transmontagne situation and is trying to find a better deal for you.

They told me they have found another management company who is likely to offer you a more appealing and more attractive annual rental income.

I do not know the figures but you will receive the new offer within 3 weeks. My agency has given me the name but you will get the information in the next 3 weeks.

i would suggest you not to sign the lease from Sofisol yet and wait for the new Lease agreement sent by the new management company to compare their service and the rent. The choice is yours.

Sign the lease agreement of your choice and return it to the relevant organisation

I own apt A53 and have now received the proposed Sofisol lease. However it is in French. Does anyone have a English translation?

I am also in touch with Albrieux Marc and am supportive of his efforts to find the best lease proposal. Unfortunately I cannot meeting the owners meeting on 30/11 but will return the 'pouvoir' and let Lamy know my intentions to keep leasing the property. Is there an english/irish representative attending the meetinG?

Thanks

Similar situation to us at Termignon also with Sofitol but we are offered about 8% of the expected rental this coming year.

My MEP has been bone idle about it all - last heard swanning off to Cyprus for a meeting - good to know our taxes are spent wisely.

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anybody heard the outcome of the residents meeting at Chamrousse yesterday.

Regards...Gillian Apt B33

Hi

I've just had a quick chat with Monsieur Marc Albrieux this morning, regarding the current situation. I've been told that there is another lease being prepared by Eurogroup which will be sent out soon.

Without knowing the details I believe the offer is less than transmontagne's yield but an increase on Sofisol's.

Monsieur Albrieux said he hopes to be able to send out information to all owners this evening about the new contract offer of management.

His email is ecrindesneiges38@orange.fr . If you have not done so already and would like to receive an update, please let him know your email.

thanks

Hi Delboy,

Thanks for the update!

Annette B53

Hopefully a new leaseback offer will be in place soon but i do have one question.

I would suit me to have a shorter contrct, say seven years but:

Will this effect my VAT refuend?

Can the length of my lease vary to that of others with appartments in the same block and looking to take effectivly the same deal?

Anyone got any ideas?

Gary.

Hello

You are not the only one and the problem exists in other residences in France.

Please have a look at http://groups.google.com/group/Invest-RT

and sign the petition. You can interact with owners.

Seamus: You wrote that "Minimum commercial lease is 9 years. This is set in stone". You are right the owner has signed a contract for 9 years at least and cannot shortened it, however as several "gerants/gestionnaires" become bankrupt or change the rules after or every 3 years (: reduce the rent, sell the contracts and so on), it is possible to cancel the original lease and change status to LMNP and keep the advantages. It is mandatory to keep renting the flat. So the owner cannot live in the flat or keep for himself and his family.

Regards,

Kind regards.

Hi

Regarding the previous posting, out of interest, what is "changing the status to LMNP mean". Does this mean if we don't sign upto a company contract, but market the property as a holiday property ourselves, all year round, then we still keep the VAT free status?

regards

as long as you do not sell your flat you keep the VAT free status.

Does anyone know more about the VAT free status if you rent the property our yourself?

I have received the email tonight regarding the new offer from Sofisol, which I must say I think is slightly underwhelming. As I understand it no gaurentee for the first year and then 65% of the Transmontagne deal (which lets face it is what we all tbought the place on the back of) with some share of the profits which you can gaurentee will be made to look as low as possible. You have to wonder if what you'd loose on the VAT repayment, if you did have to pay it back, might not be better than what we will loose with a hugely decreased yield over a long period?

Does anyone have any opinions about Sofisol? I must say I was not impressed with the tone of the letters we recieved previously. It may be a tranlation issue but I found them patronizing and bullying.

What do you think?

Tim

We have recently discovered that the locals in Termignon are not aware of the problems facing us and them from this fiasco. They wonder why there are 500 empty beds for Chirstmas week. Our organisation is expalining how the courts and govenment have let us and in turn them down.

The loss of revenue for these small resorts is huge - 500 beds, lets say 3-400 ski passes, 200 ski hire, 100 ski lesson weeks.... Once they are aware of the issues and how their businesses are likely to be seriously affected we can only hope there will be more pressure placed on the courts, MPs and MEPs...

Hi

Where are you up to? Have you signed with Sofisol or MVacances?

I met a couple of owners at Christmas/New Year in Termignon and they could not go into their flats. The locks have been changed and their flats rented.

My mgmt company, LVR, has sent a letter to reduce the rent and we are not going to sign. A lawyer told us that there is a possibility to amend the leaseback contract in order to avoid having to sign a new contract for a minimum of 9 years.

Cheers Trevor, I have emailed you my details. Thanks for being so quick to sort something out.

Regards,

Terry

Well done Trevor. I wonder if there is there any way that Transmontagne could provide a list of owners for us?

I have an appartment in Le Ecrin Des Niege, will email you today with my details.

Most worrying thing for me is having to repay the VAT refund, ouch!!

Hi All - we also bought at L'Ecrin Des Neiges (A21) and were there last Xmas and will be again w/c 22/12/07 so if any other owners are there lets meets up and cry in our beer over what the future holds.

I think forming a group is a great idea and I will send my send my details to you Trevor.

Cheers, Graham

Graham,

I have not been there yet but hope to go soon. What is it like? Is the skiing good and is it a nice town? If anyone else has been please feel free to post comments.

Cheers,

Terry

Hi

I bought an apartment in L'ecrin des Neiges also. I was hoping to spend a week there this christmas, but have been told as there is no contract in place then i cannot have my owners week.

I've noticed a few people are going to Chamrousse. Have they paid for their booking or are taking their entitlement.

Also I've recently received a letter from Lamy which looks like it contains the details of a meeting re: L'Ecrin des Neiges at the end of November. I wonder if anybody can tell me the details as my French isn't great.

One last point...I have an apartment that is on one of the lower floors of Bat C. The view is shrouded in fir trees. I don't think that this is the view anyone would expect from the 3 star priced mountain top apartment. It is not the view in the brochures or promo video.

thank you.

Terry / Delboy,

Xmas week 2006 was enjoyable if not a little thin in snow. For any that haven't been to Chamrousse, it is about 30-40 drive from Granoble airport and is very easy to get to. There are 3 villages all at different heights and L'ecrin des Neiges is at 1700. the week we went was their opening week so it was a little hectic and a number of things wern't working (e.g. hot water and a few leaks) however they were pretty good and managed to fix most, although were moved to a different appartment and ended up in B41 which was high up and had a fab view over Grenoble. Our owned appartment is A21 which contrary to what I was led to believe from the sales lierature is more than 2 floors lower than B41 because the A block is a fair bit lower on the slope. So we also have a view of fir trees which would affect resale (I'll bring my chain saw next visit!). The resort is very friendly and a number of reasonably priced restuarants - although a little limited for kids choices. We found 1650 to be better which is a free bus ride or 2km drive away. Only half the lifts were open when we went but you could see that if all were open, the place would keep an intermediete happy for the week. In answer to delboy's question, we have a leaseback contract (with no income at present) the same as everyone else. I wrote to Transmontagne and arranged my allocated week in just the same manner as the previous - almost biz as ususual.

My family and I (2 kids, 13 and 15) are going out for w.c. 22/12/07 so if anyone wants to meet up for socials etc. my mob is 07879 487408

Hi

I have appt A33. I have received this week a letter from Lamy (with a form to fill in and a long document entitled "Convocation A L'Assemblee General". Does anyone with better French than me understand what this is?

Also have had a letter from TransMontagne.I think this is just a notification of the 16th October Insolvency meeting. But would appreciate any moree info.

Re Chamrousse. I skied there in Jan 2005. Our appartments were half built. I was very impressed with the slopes, and our apparts. location looked good to me. Lets hope we can get this problem sorted out soon and start receiveing rent!

I'm a Domaines de l'Arselle owner but this may interest you -

Hope you all appreciate this as much as I did!!!--
I phoned the TM/SOFISOL office. Sylvie was in a meeting - was asked if I could call back tomorrow. I explained that I would like SOFISOL's copy of my keys as I have no relationship with them. Was told that there was a procedure to go through as I have no meter in my apt to monitor electricity. As far as I'm aware, paying LAMY, which I've done, covers electricity costs to end 2007 anyway.
I also explained that as they'd written to me in French I couldnt understand the letter and I asked if they could write to me in English in future. They asked for the name of the company who sold me the property so that they could send the letter to them to ask them to translate it. It seems SOFISOL cant translate the letter and M Schaeffer cant write in English because he doesnt speak it. I thought SOFISOL was a big company??
Have put in a call to the office of M Dubois, the receiver and although they dont speak English I managed to get across the point that I have received no lease and no rent from SOFISOL and so I do not want them to have a key of my apartment. I also explained that SOFISOL have told us that they own the furniture and that I paid for my own furniture. Mlle Dubois is to take this up with SOFISOL herself and come back to me tomorrow.
Joan