General Building Specifications
Lifestyle Homes aims to build a quality house of good proportions. So many properties on Crete are built to a budget and not to a specification.
We do not build houses smaller than two bedrooms. Our smallest house has eighty two square metres of internal floor space. Why should you compromise on space?
In addition to good room sizes, a high standard of finish and equipment is essential. We believe that our building specification is of the highest quality and offers everything you need to be secure and comfortable in your new home.
It is important to bear these facts in mind when making direct comparisons with other offerings in the marketplace.
Concrete: The reinforced concrete foundation raft, columns and beams forming the main house structure will be constructed using quality reinforced concrete, meeting current international seismic standards, designed to withstand earth tremors.
Bricks: All exterior walls will be constructed as a cavity brick wall with insulation providing a cool environment in the summer and the warmth needed during the winter weeks. Many of our properties have a fireplace.
Plaster: An initial render of cement is applied followed by a top coat of plaster and powdered marble mix for a durable finish.
Painting: Exterior walls will be painted in acrylic paint – in a colour according to the architect’s specification for planning. Interior walls will be painted in acrylic paint, the purchaser having a choice of colours.
Windows will be fitted with aluminium double glazing complete with fly screens and roller shutters.
Electric: The main consumer unit is a Siemens system. Lighting points are provided for each room as well as on entry, balconies, and terracing. Ample power sockets are provided in every room.
Telephone and satellite TV sockets are provided in the living area. Security systems can be fitted if required.
Air conditioning is provided in the living area and all bedrooms.
Plumbing: Hot water will be provided using a solar water power system with immersion heater for winter use. Installation of all pipe work for a central heating system will be provided. The central heating boiler and radiators can be fitted if required.
Plumbing for a washing machine will be provided. An exterior water tap is provided.
A wide diameter waster outlet will be connected to the cesspit therefore avoiding the need for a waste bin in the bathroom!
Flooring: All floors are finished in ceramic tiles the purchaser being given a choice of colours and patterns. On the balconies, stairs and rooftop terraces the tiles will be non-slip. The purchaser will be given a choice of patterns and/or colours. Tile skirting will be applied throughout the interior and along the exterior walls where there is terracing.
Bathrooms: Sanitary ware and fittings such as mirror, toilet roll holder etc are from the Ideal Standard range. Taps and brassware are from the Italian company Fiore or another company of similar quality.
Kitchens will be fully fitted with a range of high quality base and wall units. A stainless steel sink and mixer tap is fitted also including oven, hob and extractor. The purchaser will have a choice of colours and finishes.
All bedrooms will have fully fitted wardrobe units in a choice of colours and finishes.
Other items may be added to the specification and will be considered as optional extras and will be charged as such.
EOT Licences
If you want to rent your property to tourists you must have an EOT Licence. This licence is obtained from the Greek Tourist Board. Certain conditions must be met in order to get the licence. There are differing licences for depending on whether you want to rent out a hotel room, a villa or a house.
Before you start to build the plot must be inspected for suitability. You will need an architects plan and it would be sensible to apply for the EOT licence at the same time as the Building Permit.
To obtain an EOT licence for a house you must fulfil the following criteria:
Studio
To sleep 2/3 people -must be minimum of 40 sq. m. with a minimum of 2.8 sq m bathroom.
Apartments
Must have two rooms minimum, be a minimum size of 60 sq. m and
Have a living room/ kitchen with cooker hood, 1 bedroom and1 bathroom at least 2.8 sq.
Houses
Must have three rooms, be a minimum size of 75 sq. m and have a living room/ kitchen with cooker hood, 1 bedroom, and 1 bathroom at least 2.8 sq.
Each additional room must be a minimum of 15 sq. mtrs.
House to sleep a max of 10 people
Must have 4 rooms and be a min size of 90 sq. m.
Each additional room must be min of 15 sq m.
It must have a living room/ kitchen with cooker hood
1 bedroom
1 bathroom at least 2.8 sq. plus one additional toilet.
All houses must have the following:
All sleeping rooms must have wardrobes, 1500 mm x 600 mm
All bathroom fittings must be high quality and the room must be tiled to a minimum height of 1200 mm
Toilets must have water cisterns
There must be a minimum of one shower
If the kitchen is in the living area you need an extractor unit
Hot water must be available in all wet areas
All living rooms must have settees/ sofas, armchairs and small tables
Dining table and chairs
Kitchens must have a refrigerator, 2 cooking rings (electric or gas)
Shaver points in bathroom
Houses for more than 4 people will need a kitchen with an oven
Bedrooms sleep a max of 4 people
Beds for one person 1200 mm
Beds for 2 people 1400 – 2000 mm
Bed side cabinets
Toilet with seat
Chairs (depend on size of room)
You can have built in beds
Terrace furniture must be metal, wood or stone built
Sockets must be provided in every room
In a house for more than 10 people there must be at least 1 room for people with disabilities (Disabled facilities must be provided, toilets, taps etc. bedrooms, floor space etc as in a UK house)
Dirty linen basket
Interior doors must have 800 mm openings as a minimum
Houses of more than one floor must have an internal staircase
Villas
A villa implies the a luxury permanent dwelling
To sleep a maximum of 10 people (including hired help)
Living space must be a minimum of 100 sq. m
1 living room, 1-2 bedrooms, max no. people – 2 to each bedroom
1 kitchen, 1 bathroom min. 4 sq. mtrs. 1 separate toilet
There must be a separate storage room
Each additional room to the 100 sq mtrs must be 25 sq mtrs or more
For more than 2 bedrooms you need two bath or shower rooms
For the hired help you need an additional shower/bath room min. 2200 mm
Utility/laundry room
Garage for min of 1 car / or car port
Gardens must be fenced and planted with a variety of flowers and trees. Fully landscaped grounds with exterior lighting
Garden furniture must be provided for the essential terraces and/or pergolas
One telephone line with 2 telephones minimum
Optional extras, sports room swimming pool, bath house
Central heating
Water, heating etc.
Wet areas tiled to a height of 1.2 m
All living rooms must have settees/ sofas, armchairs and small tables
Dining table and chairs
Kitchen must have refrigerator, 2 cooking rings ( electric or gas)
Shaver points in bathroom
Houses for more than 4 people you need a kitchen with an oven
Electric or gas
Bedrooms sleep a max of 4 people
Beds for one person – 1 – 2 metres
Beds for 2 people 1.40 – 2.00 metres
Bed side cabinet
Toilets with seat
Chairs (depend on size of room)
You can have built in beds
Verandah furniture must be metal, wood or stone built
Sockets in every room
Wardrobes 1.5 to 0.6 in each room, with 4 drawers
Baths kitchen, all wet areas as before
1 coloured TV
Music centre
Kitchen, fully fitted with all necessary systems, fridge, cooker, toaster, mixer and coffee machine
Power of Attorney
It is quite normal for people purchasing land or property in a foreign country to give a ‘Power of Attorney’ to a lawyer in the country where the purchase is being made. In this document the individual gives the lawyer permission to act on their behalf and to communicate with third parties, and, or, authorise the transfer of funds on behalf of the individuals.
This is a legal document drawn up between the lawyer, and the individual which is signed by both parties and witnessed by a Notary Public in their presence.
Non-EU Nationals
Purchase procedures for non European Union nationals. Private purchase only.
The procedure is simple but may only be started once a suitable property has been decided upon and you have commited to buying it. The application cannot be submitted in advance of this stage in order to speed things along.
Amongst other government departments, the Ministry of Defence checks the application.
- 1. You will need to appoint a reputable Greek lawyer. Lifestyle Homes would be happy to make a recommendation.
- 2. The lawyer writes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on your behalf stating your intention to make a purchase. For this stage you will require the following:
- i. The full names of everyone on the purchase agreement.
- ii. Full names of mother and father
- iii. Full details of the property you wish to purchase
- 3. All purchasers will need to provide a biography of themselves including:
- i. Where and when born
- ii. Details of education and past and present employment
- iii. Details of all countries in which you have worked
- iv. Details of children, number, ages etc
- 4. Your lawyer will need to know what the purpose of the purchase is. i.e holiday, rental, retirement etc.
- 5. You will need to provide your lawyer with 6 copies of your identity card or passport.
- 6. You will need to provide your original birth certificate plus 5 copies. Both must be translated into Greek in addition via a Greek Embassy or Consulate. There must also be 6 copies of these documents.
- 7. All purchasers must provide details of any criminal records regardless of country in which they are held.
- 8. You must obtain 4 copies of the topographical document. Lifestyle Homes can help you with this.
- 9. You must have a plan of the house and the plot to a scale of 1:5000. You will need this stamped by the architect.
mortgages
Most Greek banks are now offering mortgages to those wishing to invest in land or property in Greece. The mortgage is secured against the property or land to be purchased and joint mortgages are available.
To make sure you understand all of the documentation you will be dealing with it is essential you have a Greek lawyer who speaks fluent English. Although in most Banks the person dealing with mortgages for non Greeks speaks good English.
Usually mortgages can be for a maximum of 20 years but must be paid in full before the age of 70.
One of the benefits of a mortgage from Greek banks is the rate of interest which is usually based on the Central European rates and not the UK rates which are higher.
Although it may vary, depending upon the bank you are approaching, usually mortgages are available for a maximum of:
60% of the value of land
70% of the value of property
There are usually Bank fees attached to the setting up of the mortgage and they need to be discussed at an early stage of negotiations. The charges are usually in bands; however, some banks may be willing to waive charges.
You must also be aware that there is a government fee which is 1% of
the loan.
Property must also be insured for fire and seismic shock. Most insurance companies have staff who speak good English.
Mortgage Documents
Documents required by Greek Banks for mortgage applications from individuals
- Completed mortgage application form
- Purpose of the loan
- Certified copies of passports
- Proof of income i.e P60s for last three years
- Bank statements for the last 6 months of the current account
- The initial dates and the amounts of any current loans
- Recent statements of any current loans
- Last year’s statement of any home ( mortgage) loan
- Current value of the property (ie) provided as security
- Business accounts (if any) for the past 3 years. These must be signed by the company’s accountant.
- List of other assets, ( properties, cars, shares, deposits with other banks etc)
What taxes you might pay on Crete
At the present time this is the information we have on the business of taxes on Crete. Obviously the situation is likely to change at any time and therefore the information we set out below is for an approximate idea only.
If you are bringing money into Crete to invest in property you will receive a “pink slip” from the bank which will then make the amount exempt from tax in Greece.
Making money from renting out a property in Greece is considered as a business. The tax you pay on profits from the business are paid as follows:
Up to 8,400 euros profit in a single fiscal year is allowed tax free
On the next 5,000 euros a levy of 15% is paid. On the next 10,000 euros you pay 30% tax and if you are lucky enough to have earned more than this in rental income you are charged at 40%.
Personal income tax is only paid after the individual has earned more than 10,000 euros per annum.
An accountant will charge from 60 – 150 euros per annum to handle your Greek tax return for rental income.
There is no capital gains tax payable in Greece unless you make a number of sales in a short period of time. You would then be considered a developer and be liable for tax at the commercial rates.
Other Information
Legal matters
It is important to make sure that you have an English speaking lawyer before your do business in Greece.
All documents must be translated into English for you so that you know what you are signing.
Insurance cover
Insurance is inexpensive and readily available from a number of English speaking companies such as Generali and Omega.
Cover starts from as little as 144 euros up to through to 650 euros per annum
Management companies
There is a ready supply of companies who rent out villas etc. There are also companies who handle cleaning and transfer services and maintain swimming pools
Shipping
There are many removal firms who will ship your goods and belongings to Crete. One company does overland, direct door to door service, and they are based in England. They are called Nomad International.