Advice please

Hi Carlee,

It's usual for your lawyer ("abogado") to switch utility bills from the vendor to the purchaser - did you use a lawyer recommended by the agent, or did you appoint an independent?  If it was your agent that did this, they should be able to tell you the name of the water company that supplies your area. 

Water bills are issued quarterly and, depending on your area, could include your rubbish ("Basura") bill.  If not, the rubbish bill will be collected (in the autonomous region of Valencia) by the SUMA collections agency - the same agency that collects council tax ("IBI") in this region.

Unlike the UK, domestic water supplies in Spain can be cut off by the water company if you don't pay your bill.  If this happens, you'll receive a demand for the outstanding amount owed, including a surcharge for late payment, and also a reconnection fee.  In your position, I would ask the agent for the name of your water supplier and your contract number; you can then deal with the supplier direct (and ask your supplier if your Basura charge is included, or billed separately).

When you say that you've never received bills for "annual taxes", do you mean your council tax, or your non-resident tax?

Your council tax payments can be checked with your Town Hall ("Ayuntamiento"), who can confirm how the tax is charged and collected.

Your non-resident tax is something you need to sort out for yourself.  Either employ someone to do this on your behalf - I'd recommend Spanish Tax Forms Ltd:

http://www.spanishtaxforms.co.uk/

or use "Jim's Guide" to do it yourself:

https://www.costablancaforum.com/area/almorad%C3%AD-spain-11/taxes-suma-nie-tax-advice-in-almorad%C3%AD-25/jims-tip-non-resident-tax-returns-for-20-inc-payment-51142/

The Spanish tax year runs from 1st January to 31st December; as you bought your property in 2018, the deadline for submitting your non-resident tax return for 2018 was yesterday, 31st December 2019.

Kind regards,

Kim