REBATE FOR FOREIGN OWNERSHIP - Page 3

I will go against the grain on this as I suspect there is vested interest in money coming into Spain. That should be the EU's responsibility but that's another story.

The standing orders should stand as there is a degree of ongoing cost for the companies

The building charge should be dependant on occupancy thus if only 30% occupied I would guess there would be less maintainance not more due to less wear & tear.

And YES you can get a rebate in the UK if you are not there for 6 months or over. Thus it should be the same for Spain. I quote this from the Local Government Association:

A property can be exempt from council tax if it is undergoing major repair work to make it habitable, or is undergoing structural alterations. ... Meanwhile, properties that remain empty and unfurnished for more than six months are entitled to a discount of up to 50% on the applicable council tax bill.

So get your bits & pieces in storage in Spain if you can (if they bring in the same system) which due to the major depression yet to hit Spain (and others) I suspect they may decide to target 2nd homes. This would be a bad move and will have the reverse effect so I hope they begin to use common sense.

grateful thanks to all who take time to help others Thanks so rubbish collection is main culprit. We will look at reducing charge of 5.75 in our return. Really appreciate your help and have benefited a lot from this forum.  
told you I was rubbish at this so I’ll delete the post thabks

Yes I know. Just glad to have it all explained to me. I’ll see if I can get the 5.75 ke rate reduced while we are not there

Hi Penny, I didnt look in early enough to see your bill details but RayD has done a fine job of itemizing your costs.

I do see from the items listed you do have one of the Electricity Supplier Service costs I spoke of earlier. The Emergency Service charge ,which is 2 euro per month plus tax, which for that period of billing, is showing on your bill as 2.10 euro, covers you for a 3 hr response time call out by an Electrician  to investigate any faults you may have on the Electrics within your property, but not including any Electrical appliance faults, which are covered by another Service ,which you do not appear to be signed up for.

The Capacity Charge is indeed, as I also mentioned early, set at the 5.75KW rating.

You say you may reduce this level when next in Spain, but before you do it would be wise to calculate the loading of Electrical Appliances you are likely to have switched on at any one time, including pumps, water heaters, washing machines / Dryers, and air con etc. If this Kw rating totals more than 5.75 kw then you would be wise not to reduce the Capacity level. On the other hand if you feel you will never exceed the said level of 5.75KW at any one time , even in Winter with heating In use, then a reduction in the Supply Capacity could potentially  reduce your bill by in the region of 10 euro per month

Do bear in mind the admin cost to reduce down the Capacity charge is quite small, but the Admin charge to increase it back up is a much larger cost.

Hope that helps, and good luck.

LeckyLes 

Thanks Les. Very interesting and lots for us to think about. May wait till we can accurately judge our consumption before doing any

👍

LeckyLes 

I don't think you should get a rebate.

1. You buy a property you have no intention in living in for the fore-seeable future.....as you live in the UK.

2. By buying that property, to use it occasionally, you deprive someone else permanently living in that property....so you have took it off the market from people needing it on a permanent basis.

3. You wouldn't be complaining if you were raking in the money from someone else renting it from you, ......... to pay a probable mortgage on it.

As they say.....You reap what you sow.

EEEK !!! 😕🙃😕🙃😕🙃😕🙃

Errr. Welcome to the Forum Tam ! 

😀

LeckyLes 

Thanks Les !!

I speak from the heart Les..........no point beating about the bush.

Saying that...Id'e help anyone.

Well said Les just what the Forum needs another selfish member. What they forget the non residenowners bring a lot of money in to Spain and employment and those that rent(I don’t) bring even a lot more Euros I don’t expect refunds but see why some do.