Wincham International Reviews 17

This message is for MUFFIN. There is a cost to unwinding the Wincham structure, but there is a way to minimise them.
If you were simply to transfer the property from the name of the English company to someone else (even shareholders) you will have to pay transfer taxes at the rate which applies to any other transfer in the autonomous community where the property is located.

In Andalucia (where our property was located), you can reduce the rate of the transfer taxes by first appointing an English liquidator to the English company. The liquidator can transfer the property from the company to shareholders (in our case a married couple, and the property had no mortgage on it and no creditors) as a distribution of assets to those entitled to them in a liquidation (which will always be the shareholders if there is no mortgage and no other unpaid creditors).

As it happens, we ended up selling our property to a third party and so we just dissolved the Wincham company, but our lawyer (based in Malaga) has done what I describe above for others and it sounds perfectly logical to me. But be aware that you will still be on the hook for whatever tax must be paid for a shareholder to accept the transfer from the liquidator in the autonomous community where the property is located and for liquidator and legal fees.

Hope this helps.

Frankly, it amazes me that these charlatans are still in business. I see they have changed their name. Absolute swindlers.

Philip Shandro..
Can you tell me how you are undoing it all?
I need to do the same and not sure where to begin

What Wincham doesn´t tell you when your property is registered in the name of a company, is that you as owners have to pay Spanish Commercial Rental Rates to mthat company and, when you do find out, THEFINES ARE EYEV WATERING.

I have to agree with Jean-Paul. Following months of lies and general incompetence from Mark Roach, this has now culminated in him sending two share certificates this week (March 13th) despite the fact that I clearly requested no further contact and effectively fired them on January 4th!. In addition, I have also lost around £12,000 from my pension fund which I doubt I will ever see again. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY THEY ARE LIARS AND CROOKS

This review is based on years of practical experience and an in depth knowledge of the working practices of Wincham International, and it is aimed at anyone considering doing business with, or working for this company. Now there would be no difficulty in making this a very long review, but as we live in an age in which we're all pressed for time, I will keep it short by getting straight to the heart of the matter. Mr Mark Roach, the director of the company and chief decision maker, is a person totally lacking in business ethics who treats both his clients and his employees with contempt, and he is not to be trusted under any circumstances.
To close this review, I'd like to remind you, that there are other estate agencies who can help you buy or sell your property in Spain, and there are other tax advisors who can assist you in your fiscal affairs, so please take heed of this review and avoid Wincham International at all costs!

In April I go to wincham office in calpe and talk with Richard. He visit mi propietes and gave mi valuation for mi 2 apartament and 2 house. He was professionnel and frendly. I agree to give to him exclusif when i return. I try to contact him but he does not answer the fone now so I go back to the office of wincham and he is not there, his desk is empty and the office is empty and always closed. I try 7 different times in the hours 9 to 6 and always the door is locked . One time there is a woman inside in sport clothes but she does not come to the door. Another time there is note on door saying closed but other times it is just closed.
I do not recommend Wincham to anyone and I gave mí propietes to another agent more professionnel

We would like to recommend the advice and guidance we received from Richard Coburn at the Calpe office. He was extremely helpful and knowledgeable when we were considering the procedures in selling In Spain. Thanks Richard.

Ive always found the spanish office to be extremely efficient. If the question you ask cannot be answered by them, they will put you in touch with the person Who you need, or find the answer and ring you back. If the query is a little complicated, jackie will ring and tell me, giving a guide as to how long her enquires might take.

I’ve always found jackie to be a mine of information. She is very professional, and courteous, and always friendly and eager to help with any problems I’ve had, and I think I’ve had more than most!!

If it was not for the Spanish office with jackie and jo, I would have left winchams a long time ago!!

I was hoping this survey would be about the uk side of the business. That leaves a lot to be desired. My requests for info or help are rarely answered. I would go as far as to say I’m ignored!!

I have no one who I can get in touch with since Paul Yaisemedes left. There seems to be no one who has taken his place. I only ring the uk office if I really have to. There is no point as I never get a return call.

As soon as my present situation is resolved, I will be leaving winchams for a company who care about there clients!! This is a great pity, as I’ve been entirely satisfied with the Spanish office. They do an excellent job! If I didn’t need the uk office, I would be more than happy to stay.

My family have dealt with Jackie and the team in the Calpe office for many years now, and have found Jackie to be friendly and very helpful with whatever question we throw at her. She has always been professional and offered us good impartial advice.
I notice that one earlier reviewer has said that he has not been able to buy a car or change his UK one to Spanish plates, well we have done both with no issues at all.

Should really be no stars but unfortunately that’s not an option on here!
Unfortunately this company did not reply to my online enquiry via their contact us page. After calling them to enquire why I hadn’t had a response I was put through to the Calpe office. The lady I spoke to there said Jackie was busy with clients and would call me back, she didn’t. So a week later I contacted Felix Muelas, Spanish solicitor for Winchams, directly. His secretary said she’d get Mark Roach’s secretary to call me as it was he I needed to speak to. She did call me and set up a call with him, unfortunately our queries were regarding visas and residency in Spain not about how to purchase a property through a UK ltd company. However Mark didn’t seem able to grasp this and kept asking for both our phone numbers and the dates we would be in Calpe. They cannot assist with visas at all which is what my original question was and only after I directly ask that question did we get the answer, no they can’t. Afterwards he sent me an e Mail regarding our call to which I replied and asked a number of questions for clarity. To date, 2 weeks after my email he has not had the courtesy to reply. They are totally unprofessional and don’t appear to have any customer service skills at all and are only interested in house purchases in Spain through a UK ltd. company, for which there are large fees and ongoing year on year fees. Stay well away.

A client for over 11 years with few complaints until we needed to sell our property. Their legal fees are substantially higher, £1000's more in our case than using a local Spanish based lawyer but as our property was in a limited company we felt we had to stay with Wincham for the sale.
The sting in the tale was on completion day when Director Mark Roach called to confirm the completion of the sale and the figure he was about to exchange into sterling to the client account as it had to be done imminently. The figure he offered was £3846 less than what I could get exchanging myself. After several minutes of heavy negotiating with Mark Roach he finally increased his rate to £150 less than what I could get. At this point I finally agreed as I had lost the will to negotiate further. In my experience Wincham are focused to make as much money as possible from their client.

Having dealt with Deborah Cullen and Sarah Pass regarding the harmonious running of our business managing our foreign asset and the payment of all transactions, over the past few years and my parents beforehand we have always experienced professional, friendly, reliable service and advice from the team. When my parents passed, we had a difficult management issue to deal with, Wincham led by Deborah proved to be an exceptional ally who supported us with expert advice and legal support on how to deal with a very sensitive legal situation. Which we navigated together to a very successful conclusion. We continue to be very happy with the service that Deborah and Sarah provide to us in the running of our business.
Neil Martin, Nitram Ltd

We had brilliant service from Deborah Cullen and Sarah Pass after the death of our parents they were super supportive through a very difficult time and the fact that our patents Apartment was in an English company something they had done with Wincham support really helped with probate and inheritance tax. Can’t thank them enough for their care at a very difficult time . Would highly recommend
Fiona Boyle

Six years down the line and we are still (despite our very best endeavours) not free of these rouges. Latest disaster: Avoid any offer of Tax Assistance/Fiscal Representation from these fraudsters. We have just had thousands of Euros taken form our bank account because Wincham failed to respond or forward four Tax Demand letters a that we could have correctly contested had they have simply forwarded the letters. Our money is now lost. Should you even consider using this company, would recommend you speak with ‘Lawbirds Solicitors’ Malaga.

Their customer service could be improved. Mark Roach the owner is reluctant to reply to emails, and their staff in Calpe imo need a lot more training. .

I recently sold my apartment in Calpe (in a UK company) through them. They could have made life easier, the head honcho there seemed to think she was working for my buyer, not for me.

Their fees are high, 5% in Spain, as against 1% in the UK. but that is probably par for the course, .

I have had a relationship with Wincham for nearly 10 years, with few complaints. They are efficient, do what it says on the tin, and their communication is excellent. Unfortunately, their Calpe office lets them down.