LIVING AT THE CREST
Security & Safety: Common Areas
Our aim is for The Crest to be one of the safest and most secure residential communities in the region.
The Crest is an open residential development with public roads with unrestricted access. As such, security measures are subject to Portuguese law and cannot operate in the same way as those in a gated private condominium.
The Crest engages IBC Security, who provide professional coverage of The Crest’s common areas, including:
- Random daytime patrols
- A security vehicle stationed at the entrance from 19:00 to 07:00
- Full perimeter inspections and random night patrols
- Perimeter CCTV monitoring
- Attendance at security-related incidents and incident reporting
- Daytime rapid-response visits when required
ECR Medical Assistance
IBC’s ECR Medical Car can provide rapid initial medical support while emergency services are on their way, and can coordinate with incoming emergency teams.
Keeping The Crest secure depends on IBC, the POA and residents remaining vigilant and looking out for one another.
Security & Safety: Your Property
Common-area security at The Crest is comprehensive. Security within and around individual properties remains the responsibility of each homeowner.
Our priority is to strengthen private-property security, particularly following occasional opportunistic thefts.
We strongly encourage every owner to:
- Install external CCTV covering appropriate access points
- Keep gates, doors, windows and other access points securely locked
- Use security systems whenever the property is unoccupied
- Tell a trusted neighbour and/or IBC when the property will be vacant for an extended period
- Remain alert to unusual people, vehicles or activity
- Report suspicious activity promptly via the community WhatsApp group and, where appropriate, directly to IBC or the POA administration
Villa Monitoring
IBC and other specialist providers offer optional remote monitoring services for individual properties, including alarm monitoring and rapid response. Preferential rates are available to POA members.
IBC 24-hour Control Centre: +351 911 100 500
IBC Non-Emergency: +351 289 095 020
Common Areas: Garden Care
The POA Board, Loulé and Almancil Council retain the services of Vilas Care to maintain the public and shared green areas.
At the POA’s request, Vilas Care uses mostly battery-operated cutting and blowing equipment in designated public areas. In private gardens, Vilas Care uses only battery-operated machinery.
For larger lawned areas, Vilas Care uses a recently acquired quieter sit-on mower, which is both less disruptive and more time efficient. Petrol blowers are used only where battery-powered machinery is not powerful enough for the larger green zones.
The common areas are divided into five green zones. Vilas Care generally services one zone each day, so no property should normally be affected for more than one day per week.
Private Gardens: Noise Reduction (effective July 2026)
- Use battery-operated garden appliances
- No gardening work before 09:00
- No gardening work on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays
- Do not dispose of garden waste anywhere within The Crest, including the Fire Trap on the western side
- Notify the POA Board before any major gardening works
The POA Board can provide a highly rated Gardening Company should your existing gardeners choose not to adopt battery powered equipment.
Waste & Recycling
General household waste should be placed in the underground grey bins at the upper entrance or at the south end of The Crest.
Recycling facilities are located approximately 50 metres inside the main entrance, beside the post boxes. Please separate paper/cardboard, glass, and plastic/metal. General household waste must not be placed in recycling containers.
Owners who rent their properties should ensure that tenants and guests understand these arrangements.
Organic & Bulky Waste
Brown bins beside the general waste points are reserved for fruit, vegetable and salad waste only and should be used only with official compostable bags supplied by Loulé Council.
Furniture, mattresses, appliances and other bulky items must not be left beside the bins. Take them to the Municipal Waste Centre near Loulé Football Stadium or arrange collection with Loulé Council: +351 289 395 404.
Parking & Road Safety
Keeping The Crest safe requires residents, visitors and contractors to park responsibly.
The road layout creates particular pressure on the main entrance and West Road, with limited parking and two sharp bends creating dangerous blind spots. Please follow the parking zones shown on the map:- RED ZONES — NO PARKING: the main entrance, the road from the Old Clubhouse to the first island, and around the southern island.
- GREEN ZONES — PREFERRED PARKING: visitors and contractors should use these designated areas wherever possible, even if this means a short walk.
- RESIDENTS: please use your own driveway wherever possible and ensure vehicles are parked fully within it.
- PAVEMENTS & BENDS: never park in a way that obstructs pavements, restricts the road or creates a blind spot.
Pets, Noise & Neighbours
- Pick up pet waste and keep pets under appropriate control in common areas
- Prevent pets from damaging lawns and planting
- Avoid excessive barking, particularly early or late in the day
- Quiet hours: 22:00–08:00
- Avoid loud music, parties and noisy tools during quiet hours
- Please resolve noise issues directly with the offender and if that fails during the ‘quiet’ hours, then contact IBC
- Inform neighbours in advance of parties or significant works
Community Communications
The Crest has several main communication channels:
- WhatsApp Social — for POA and Condo 31
- WhatsApp Formal — for POA members only
- The Crest Email — for POA members only
- The Crest Website — launching this Autumn
Subscription and access are arranged through the POA Board and managed by Charlotte , Operations & Administrative Assistant.
No communication channel may include commercial third parties.
Please keep comments in the Social group courteous and respectful at all times. Personal criticism or disputes should be dealt with privately.
On behalf of residents, the POA Board reserves the right to restrict or remove access where these standards are repeatedly breached.
Urbanização The Crest, M521-1 Vale Formoso, 8135-033 Loulé
© 2026 The Crest. All rights reserved.