Applicability of new Timeshare Directive to Fractional Ownership
Guidance Note issued by FSOTA - August 2010 Introduction The new ‘Directive’ (2008/122/EC) hereinafter referred to as the 2nd Directive is planned for final implementation across the EU by 23 February 2011. Some countries have implemented the Directive already, notably France, others like the UK have recently issued draft proposals for new laws, and several are consulting interested parties. Once the Directive is implemented in individual Member States where a fractional developer is operating and/or marketing, FSOTA believes it is likely the developer will have to comply with the new law. This Paper aims to clarify how the new Timeshare Directive will be...
Help & Advice
The Resort Development Organisation AISBL (RDO) can accept no responsibility for the information it has provided, although it has used its best endeavors to supply factually accurate advice and guidance. This information is not a substitute for taking professional legal advice to cover your particular situation. Please note that the RDO Consumer Services only deal with enquiries/complaints about RDO members in writing via email on info@rdo.org or by regular mail at:- Resort Development Organisation aisbl Consumer Service Department PO Box 2481 London, WC1N 3XX TATOC (The Timeshare Association of Timeshare Owners Committees), who represent the interests of timeshare owners and their elected committees, provide information and...
Consumer alert – EquitySecure.co.uk
We have been made aware that timeshare owners are making complaints that they are receiving unsolicited phone calls from Equity Secure, a company that operates using a website but does not appear to have office in the UK. This firm purports to secure ‘equity release from your timeshare commitments' and owners are informed that the law is to change in January next year, which will result in a doubling of their maintenance fees. There is no truth whatsoever in this statement and owners should be on their guard about this claim, scare tactics to persuade people to pay a fee to sign...
Selling Timeshare Safely
When it comes to selling your timeshare, unless you do your homework properly you can end up losing money to unscrupulous companies, so our advice is well worth following. And in the meantime, don’t be rushed into making any decisions you will later regret – a cold call could leave you significantly out of pocket! Your first step should be to check to see if your resort or developer offers a resale service or uses a recommended resale agent. If it does not, you have a number of options available, including selling your timeshare privately or using a resale company to sell...
Tuscan residence club joins Interval International
Interval International has added Villa Bossi Pucci Residence Club, a resort located in the heart of the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy, to its global vacation exchange network. The 21 fractional residences at Villa Bossi Pucci are housed in buildings that once comprised a farming village, set amidst olive orchards and vineyards in the Tuscan hills. Each residence has generous interior space and sweeping views of the Montespertoli valley and the Castello di Poppiano or of the olive and fruit gardens. Interval members and their guests will be able to take advantage of the full-time concierge services to book local restaurants, massages,...
The Pestana Group expands in Argentina
The Pestana Group has announced a new project in Argentina, the Pestana Buenos Aires Golf Hotel & Residences, to be added to the other two units the Portuguese Hotel Group already operates in Argentina. The Pestana Buenos Aires Golf Hotel & Residences will be built in the Buenos Aires Argentina Golf Club in Bella Vista, just 25 minutes from the capital. Construction work will begin next year and the opening is scheduled for 2013. The new unit, designed by Argentine architects Martin Foucarde and Alejandro Polizzi, will combine golf, residences and a lakeside hotel with 120 rooms and suites, restaurant, convention centre,...
Claims Directive cases rejected by Spanish court for fifth time
The Anfi group has reported that cases filed by owners represented by Claims Directive were rejected by a judge in Las Palmas (Canary Islands). This is the fifth ruling in favour of Anfi regarding similar claims. Anfi reports that Claims Directive has been targeting its members offering them legal assistance in cases against the group, with the promise of recovering a higher amount than their initial investment. Potential claimants are asked to pre-pay legal expenses of up to 6000 euros, and will often be liable for huge costs involved in long drawn out court cases. Anfi warns that claimants who lose their...
Nine resale companies closed down on the Costa del Sol
Spanish Police has recently closed down nine resale companies in the resort of Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol on suspicion of fraudulent activities. Four people were arrested during the raids, including Christopher Gerald Hannington, who was also wanted by Interpol. The nine companies closed down are: Inside Europe (Dentro de Europa), Viva Choice, Viva Travel Spain S.C., Viva International Vacation Agency S.L., Blue Chip S.L., Euro Independent Marketing, Westminster Consultants, Agrico Ltd, and Continents Connections S.C. RDO is urging owners who may have been victims of any of these companies to contact the Enforcement Team on enforcement@rdo.org in order to help...
EU countries on track for Timeshare Directive implementation
Work continues across EU countries to meet the deadline of 23 February 2011 set for the implementation of the new Timeshare Directive. In Germany, a new timeshare law has already been passed and will be implemented from 23 February 2011. France is the only EU country that has already implemented the new Directive. In the UK, the Government’s Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has finished its consultation of stakeholders and is currently finalising the proposed regulation to be submitted to Parliament. Once the new regulation is passed, details will be posted on the RDO website and sent to all UK...
Call to action for timeshare owners
The Resort Development Association (RDO) has issued a call to action for timeshare owners, urging them to contribute one euro each to help fund the Enforcement Project and the Consumer Helpline, now that the responsibility for funding both has been passed to the Timeshare Partnership Trust (TPT). RDO has fully funded the Enforcement Project for the past four years. In this period, the Enforcement Team, based in the Canary Islands and headed by a former Spanish National Police Inspector, has dealt with 1484 complaints, brought about the closure of 82 fraudulent companies and helped consumers recover an estimated one million euros...