Posted: Sat May 2, 2015 10:20pm
Hi, We have a property in a different part of the Costa Blanca but as some of your questions are general I thought I would try to help you.
It is really best to open a bank account in Spain as you can transfer sums of money from the UK, to keep it topped up, and then pay your bills by direct debit. It would work out expensive to pay the Spanish bills from your UK account as it would mean the money would have an exchange rate each time and a transfer fee charged by your bank every time. Also having a bank account in Spain is also a good idea as you will have a debit card for getting cash out of the ATM's while you are in Spain - We tend to put money into our Spanish account when the exchange rate is best and then when we are in Spain we can get money out knowing it was put in at a good rate. The banks in Spain don't charge for using the cash machines, same as in the UK.
As well as water and electric you do have to pay Suma, which is similar to our Council Tax but much cheaper. All water is metered in Spain so having a pool may cost a bit more but if the pool is well maintained it shouldn't need emptying very often, which can be very expensive on the water bill.
There are Non-resident taxes also to pay in Spain, not a huge amount, but they do have to be paid - We pay our solicitor a small yearly fee to be our Fiscal Representative and sort out the taxes for us and they take it out of our account by Direct Debit. It saves all the worry and bother and then we know we are all legal and up to date.
You can switch off the water at the meter when you leave the villa to go home and electric can also be switched off inside the house, unless you have security lights and alarm.
Don't know anything about Smart Meters but will try to find out.
Hopefully you will get someone who has bought in your area to give you more advice soon.
There are quite a few Q & A's on these topic here below, in our sister forum, that may be helpful and of interest:
http://www.talkquesada.com/utilities-in-spain-electric-gas-water-recommendations-advice-f87/?sid=4712a9715b8382a7d1c8df0a51c8fb03
http://www.talkquesada.com/taxes-in-spain-suma-nie-and-general-tax-advice-f111/?sid=4712a9715b8382a7d1c8df0a51c8fb03
Any other questions please just ask.
Jan.
My name's Alex and this is my website all about Villamartin in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Utilities: Electric, gas and water recommendations and advice in Villamartin and much more!
