(12.07.06)
You have bought a dwelling and want to get electricity, water and phone services. How do you contract them?
General Comments
Contracting Services
When you buy a dwelling, it is not enough to get a clean escritura (title deed) to your
property. You must also notify some places that you are the new owner, and contract certain
services. And once the services are contracted, you must know how to pay for them.
You Have Been To The Notary
Let us say you have been to the notary, paid the full purchasing sum and got a "copia simple" (a photocopy with the stamp of the notary on) of the escritura signed. You have
given the notary your NIE-number (foreigners identification number - same as fiscal number)
and told him where to notify you when the "primera copia" comes back from the property
register with stamps, signature and registration number.
Now You Go To The Town Hall And Register Yourself As The Owner
Then you go to the town hall or provincial tax collection agency and register yourself as
owner of the property for local property taxes (IBI - Impuesto de Bienes Inmuebles). If you
buy a new property in a complex, it can be that the promotor does it, ask him on beforehand.
Take Your Identification Documents
Bring with you identification document, NIE-number and copy of escritura. If you have bought
a second-hand property, take also with you the receipt for last years payment by the
previous owner.
Additional Steps If You Have Bought Into A Community Of Owners
If you have bought into a community of owners, you must also notify the administrator or
president that you are the new owner of dwelling so and so. Give them a copy of your
escritura, make sure that there are no debts to the community, and tell them what address to
notify you on for any meetings or information.
Water
Community Of Owners
In certain developments, there are no individual water meters, and you will get your share
of the total water bill from the administrator of the community of owners.
Individual Water Meter
But in most cases you have an individual water meter (find where it is situated and make sure to get a key if
it is locked in), and then you must also register with the water company.
Promotor Or Sales Agent
Sometimes the promotor or sales agent arranges with a water contract in your name, ask them if they do.
Registering Yourself - Documents
If not, find the office of the company and bring with you a copy of your escritura, your
NIE-number, last receipt in the name of previous owner and identification documents.
Continuing The Old Contract Not Recommended
Sometimes a vendor will tell you just to continue the old contract in his name. This is not
to be recommended, since any notifications about problems or unpaid bills may be sent to his
name and returned.
Best System Of Payment
The best system of payment, especially for non-residents, is by a standing order to your
bank. You notify the water company to send any bills to the bank to be charged against your
account. Then you give your bank a copy of your water contract and fill in a form
authorising them to pay the bills.
Electricity
Only One Company In Each Area
So far, there is only one electricity company in each area of Spain.
Go To Their Offices With These Documents
They have offices in certain municipalities, where you can go with a copy of title deed, your NIE-number,
identification documents and the receipt for payment of last bill by previous owner (unless
the promotor/sales agent arranges also this service contract for you).
Sometimes You Will Be Asked To Phone In Changes
Certain electricity company will ask you to phone in changes in an existing contract.
Consider How Much Power You Need
Consider how much power you need and adjust the contract accordingly. For a normal vacation dwelling, 3,3 kW will be
sufficient.
Getting Key To Meter To Control Consumption
Every dwelling has its own electricity meter, and if you cannot read the meter through a
window, you have the right to get a key to control consume.
Do Not Continue The Previous Owner's Contract
Also for electricity: Do not continue in the contract of previous owner. Expensive problems
for you may arise from this.
There is one danger, however: If the dwelling is old, the
electricity company may ask to inspect the installations and demand new installations before
they issue a contract.
Best System For Payment
Again, the best system for payment is with a standing order in your bank. Make sure that
there is enough money on your account for all bills, to avoid being cut off from supply and
having to wait and pay for reconnection.
Gas Butano
The Companies
In almost all tourist areas the companies delivering the bottles with gas butano for heating,
cooking or hot-water, is Repsol Butano and Cepsa. They have offices in all municipalities of
a certain size, and you will find them in the phone book.
New Dwelling
If the dwelling is new, the promoter may arrange with the gas contract, or a good sales agent if you buy second-hand.
Instruction Book
Otherwise, ask for instruction book from previous owner (or get one from the company).
Be Careful With Gas Installations
Be careful with gas installations, have the company come and inspect the installations before a
new contract is done in your name.
Buying The Bottles You Need
You pay for the bottles you need, either by arrangement with the driver of the lorry
bringing out the 25 kilo bottles, or you go the local storage area and pick up a new
bottle when you need one. You can also buy bottles on certain gasoline stations.
Check The Rubber Tube
It is important to check with regular intervals that the rubber tube going from the bottle
is in perfect shape (look for expiry date).
Check Before Admitting "Inspectors"
Also important is not to admit any 'inspectors' coming knocking on your door, especially after working hours. Always check with the local
gas distributor before letting anyone in.
Telephone
Do Not Take Over An Existing Phone Contract And Number
Do not take over an existing phone contract and number. It can mean taking over debts. It is
very easy to get a new phone, waiting time is down to a few days for a permanent phone, and
a mobile phone you get at once.
Several Phone Companies
There are now several phone companies in Spain to choose between. The "Foundation Institute of Foreign Property Owners" is comparing their changing tarifs from time to time. In almost every case,
Telefonica has the most expensive tariffs.
Ordering A Phone Installation (And Making Changes) With Telefonica
The offices of Telefonica are mostly situated in bigger cities, but you can today order a
phone installed by phoning the company on 1004. On same line you can make changes in
address, order additional services, get information on special tarifs and about payments.
Special Phone Line
You may also consider ordering a special phone line, that will give the best Internet
connections over your computer.
Phone Number Of Other Prenumerants
On number 1003 you should be able to obtain the phone number of other prenumerants. If you
want information about the number of a prenumerant outside Spain, you must phone 025.
Technical Attention
Number 1002 is for technical attention. If there is a problem with the line, with a phone
leased from Telefonica or bought with a maintenance contract, the technical assistance is
free of charge.
Emergency Numbers & Numbers Of Special Interest
In the beginning of the phone directory you will find under Emergencias some important phone
numbers for police, the fire brigade, civil protection, Red Cross, ambulances. Under Otros
servicios de interés you find listed the number of the water companies, offices of the
electricity company, postal services, Spanish Rails, taxis, airports and assistance on the
road.
Mobile Phone Number / Dialling Abroad
Be aware that all Spanish mobile phone number now starts with 6, instead of 9, and that you
phone abroad by dialling 00, instead of previously 07.
Best System Of Payment
Also the phone bill should be charged to your bank account, especially if you are away from
your Spanish home in periods.
Detailed Bills
The bills come now with details of all calls, so that you can control it.
Service Contracts And Bills
Contracts May Be In A Language You Do Not Understand
You may have to sign quite complicated service contracts in a language you do not understand
much of. But the contracts for water companies, electricity suppliers, Repsol Butano, Cepsa
and the phone companies have all been scrutinised by Spanish consumer organisations and in
most cases approved by the government. It means you can sign them even if you do not
understand them, even if you should try to learn their content.
There Should Be No Problem With The Bills
The bills, however, you should understand and control.
The Bill From Telefonica
Bills Every Second Month
Telefonica is sending out bills every second month. On the top part it will contain dates
and reference number of the bill, your name, address, phone number and if the bill is to be
presented for payment to your bank.
Services Contracted
Under "Servicios contratados" will come the standing charge and the the costs of calls you
have made in the period of billing.
Details Of Calls
"Detalle de llamadas automaticas" gives you the details
of the various calls, where A indicates the number phoned, B the type of call (local,
provincial, national or international), C province or country called, D and E the date and
hour called, F the duration of the conversation, G the time group within which the call was
made and H the cost of each call.
The Water Bill
Basic Concepts
The form of the bill may vary with the different companies, but the basic concepts are the
following:
The Water Bill
- Name of the water company and their address, phone and fax in the municipality where you
live. Any questions or complaints should be directed to this address.
- The municipality.
- The time period for the billing, with previous and last reading of water meter and total
consumption.
- Standing service charge.
- The amount to be paid, calculated at tarifs often increasing with consume.
- Meter rental fee.
- VAT of 6%.
- Number and date of bill.
- Your reference number, name and address.
Sewage Treatment
The water bill may also include a Canon to finance the construction of sewage treatment
stations in your area.
Electricity Bill
Consumer-Friendly Bills
Also the electricity companies are now using more consumer-friendly bills, giving more
detailed information than previous.
Main Concepts
There are certain differences in the form of the bills for the various companies, but the main concepts are the following:
- Tariff. Almost all foreign owners have tarif 2.0 for domestic use up to 15 kW. There is
also another tariff 3.0 for more than 15 kW, mostly used for industry and commerce. On the
bill the tariff may be specified as "Potencia contratada".
- Consume. The kilowatt hours consumed will be multiplied with the price of the electricity
in the tariff chosen. If you are in tariff group 2.0 you will be charged 0,086 Euro per kWh.
- Electricity tax. This tax is 4,864% on standing charge and consume.
- Lease of meter. You pay 0,66 Euro per month on this concept (may vary with your electricity
company).
- IVA (VAT). Then you are charged 16% VAT on all previous concepts, also the electricity
tax.
- "Importe total" is what you pay.
