We are building a dedicated webiste, HelpingHandIstria, but until that is ready (coming soon!), you can find out here what Helping Hand is all about, and start to explore what we can do to help with the problems of life in Istria
Do you live in Istria or have a holiday home here? Need some help from time to time sorting things out, resolving intractable issues, or just understanding the way this complex country works? Look no further, Helping Hand is … well, it’s here to help! As Brits having lived and worked in Istria for...
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We are Helping Hand – Nicky, Elbina and Phil. We all work closely together on projects but, in the simplest terms, Nicky is your first point of contact and in overall charge, Elbina gets things done and Phil provides financial expertise and technical support. Nicky I’m a Brit who’s lived and...
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Helping Hand handles a wide range of projects of varying sizes, with our approach tailored to the specifics of each project and client requirements. For some projects we do all the work; for others we simply act as liaison and project manager, working with specialist, local contractors. In a nutshell: Helping Hand charges by...
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An update on the changing sewerage situation in Istria and its impact on home owners. So … let’s talk sewage! Trenches are being dug all over Istria: diggers are closing roads, delaying traffic and limiting house access. If this hasn’t affected you yet, it soon will as Croatia (with EU funding assistance), is installing...
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Example based on a working agreement for restoration of a 100-year old stone house in the old quarter of a historic town. Details for an agreement depend, of course, on the specifics of the project. Working agreement between Helping Hand (part of Anson-Bryant Usluge d.o.o.) (HH) of ADDRESS, Croatia AND CLIENT of ADDRESS for...
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Looking for a property in Istria? Buying property abroad is far harder than buying at home. You don’t know the area, you don’t know the ‘rules’ and local customs, and you’re heavily dependent on, probably biased, outside advice. I can’t cover everything about the Istrian property market in one article, so here’s an overview, to...
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Thinking of buying a property in Istria – here’s some information about the key documentation needed here and throughout Croatia. When you buy a house in Croatia, the key documents you need fall broadly into the three categories listed below. Usually, they should all be provided by your estate agent as proof the property...
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In Croatia, every rental property for tourists must be inspected and registered before it can be legally let. Like a hotel, it receives a classification depending on its level of facilities, and the certification plaque must be displayed. This process is normally only done once, at the start of the property’s rental life –...
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The list of requirements for a holiday property comes in an official government document. It’s a long and all in Croatian, but don’t panic – I’ve just translated it for you into English and added some thoughts. Because of its size (17 pages) it’s attached as a downloadable PDF, simply click on the link...
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All Croatian rental properties should have an official rental plaque, which confirms their property has been officially inspected and given a tourist classification. So how do you get one? First you need to get your property inspected. Then, when you have been assigned your tourist classification, you will receive official confirmation with a ‘Rjesenje’....
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Kovaci will be a holiday rental property. So as well as complete restoration, it also needs furnishing from top to bottom, and equipping with everything from light fittings and wardrobes to teaspoons and linen. In early February, while the builders continued working and P went to the UK, I started furniture shopping. Would I...
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Are you looking to buy a holiday home abroad – and hoping to fund your dream with some rental income? It may come as a surprise, but not all ‘tourist’ properties can be rented out … no matter how suitable they may look or what you are told. Before you make a possibly expensive...
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Thinking of buying a property abroad? Why not try Istria? With Croatia due to join the EU in July 2013, after three dead years life is beginning to flow back into the Istrian property market. In many ways, buying a house in Istria is all too easy. There are loads of attractive properties at fantastic...
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AM Color is the company for all your property’s interior and exterior needs. Established by Ante Miloš more than 20 years ago, it has a strong, proven record – with a long list of happy customers – and covers everything from full renovation to a final coat of paint, including: interior reconstruction constructing interior...
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If you’re looking for a builder, I highly recommend Miro and Toni Cabraja, otherwise known as AMT. They are the builders we use, and they’ve never let us down – so far! As well as handling the restoration work at Kovaci, they also built the Little House at the bottom of our garden, installed...
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