We have just received a notification of a direct debit for electricity  of 39 euros for three months.   We only spent one week there and did not eat , cook or sleep there during that period and used the washing machine once ( just to test it out on the reduced cycle ) .

Can anyone tell me if this is about right and how much is the standing charge as it seems a bit excessive to us?  How do we contact the company when we are both at work all day ?

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Tasmin

We were shocked when we realised the amount must be the standing charge.  We pay Electric (Iberdola) 39 euros and Water (Aquagest) 46 euros.  AND as you say that is when the place is empty.

I don't think there is much we can do about it.

BobShe

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We have paid 121 euros in total for our electricity, for 6 months that we have owned our apartment & the water bills have been 38 euros for 5 months.

During that time it was occupied for about 4 weeks but that did include 10 days over Christmas where we had the electric fire blazing most of the time & then a week in Feb where we frequently used the warm air con.

Our development is fairly new & some units are still unsold. While we were there a few weeks ago, we noticed the workmen employed by the developer, plugging their heavy duty equipment into the socket on our next door neighbours patio.

We always turn our electricity & water off when we leave as we have an outside socket & tap so anyone could use them without our knowledge.

If you are in a new build & these are your first bills, it could be that the builder tapped in to your supply. I know that happened to our neighbour. They moved in & had a huge bill within days.

Regards

Noreen

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I can't say what the standing charge is but from my statement I paid 41.35 Iberdola in Feb after spending a couple of weeks there using a fair amount of electric.  Heating and cooking etc.

In April I paid 36.35 and the only thing I'd had on in that time was the fridge/freezer.

Aquamed bill was 34.48.  Included in that bill is the charge for Basura and Sewage.

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BobShe

The 39 Euros must be the standing charge.   No-one ever told us how expensive having an apartment in Spain is , but then again no-one said it would be.   We are totally amazed at the money that comes out of our deposit account in charges.    Britain beware -the days of ' free' banking will be over soon .

Thanks for your replies .   Now I have to go to work and earn some money to pay these bills ? 

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If you're paying a lot in bank charges then you should shop around for another.

Look at the thread re Banking and see if there's a bank which will be more convenient and cheaper.

Some have a minimum amount which must be kept in account to enable you to pay your direct debits for free very similar to how the Banks used to work here years ago.

You still have to pay for bank transfers etc but the main items which you pay regularly should be free.

It's very easy to change over, I did it in December from Solbank to HalifaxES.  I took in my latest bills which they copied and all the direct debits are going through.

Don't forget to also factor in the Bi annual charge for non residency certificate.

You could also try speaking to your Bank once you have all the information to see if they will match the deal you've found.

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Good idea .  I must admit that charges see to be at the discretion of the Bank Manager . Maybe we should invite him for dinner??

I remember reading one thread where the person opened a bank account  with 39 Euros ,in prepartion for buying a property , and it had practically disappeared in one year !

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