IBI Tax bill for a property I don't own!

Hello there,

I am very stuck with something and don't know how to even start trying to sort it out - I would be so grateful for any help.

I received a bill on Friday from "Suma Gestation Tributaria" asking for nearly 2,000 euros in 'property tax'. I have never owned any property in Spain, I don't even know where the town is that this property is supposed to be in. 

As "evidence" Suma have enclosed a number of bills for "IBI" tax - in my father's name. I understand, having now asked him, that he did once own the properties mentioned on the bills, ten years ago. He left the country, also ten years ago, and the properties were, he assumed, repossessed by the bank. Unfortunately he never got confirmation of this.

I do not know how the authorities have got my name and address in relation to this and I have no idea why on earth they think I should pay up for this debt. I don't know how to start sorting this out. The letter threatens all sorts of enforcement action if I don't pay up within 15 days. It also says they are sending this to me "despite previous reminders" and this is the first I have ever heard of it! It also says I, not my father, am registered as a debtor in the Spanish town where these flats are. I just don't see how this can be true. 

My parents have sworn on a stack of bibles they didn't give my details to anyone in relation to these flats (and really I can't see why they would). I do believe them as both my name and my address have changed since the flats were bought (I have married and actually moved twice since then). Yet this has come to my "new" married name, and my current address.

I would have thought my first step would be to prove the properties weren't mine - but not being in Spain and having no knowledge whatsoever of the Spanish legal system I don't know how to do this. (I can't speak Spanish either). Although I have looked at the Registro de propiedades website I couldn't really make a lot of it, as it seemed to me that I had to give the name of the owner in order to do a property search - well of course it is the name of the owner I need to find out from them!).

(I have of course faxed them straight back and said this is nothing to do with me and I don't own any Spanish property).

I am doubly concerned as I am due, by complete coincidence, to go on holiday to Tenerife next month. I am seriously quite frightened of being arrested at the airport when I arrive! Maybe I am being paranoid but this letter is quite forceful and it is 100% addressed to ME, not to my father.

If anyone can help or knows how to point me in the right direction please let me know - many many thanks.

Hi Channeller2000 - you can phone the Suma office and ask for an english speaker.  The suma website is www.suma.es and is available in English and their phone number is 0034 965 292 000.  They are open from 8 - 8 Spanish time and I have always found them to be very helpful.  You should have all your parents' details (NIE numbers and passport numbers) as well as your own available, and of course the correspondence they have sent you.

If this doesn't work then I would suggest you need to employ a lawyer to sort it out and they can obtain a Nota Simple for you to show who owns the property officially.  Another possible way forward is to contact the bank, but I would think this would be the least likely to succeed as it can be very hard to find someone speaking English and the event in question is so long ago.

I think you are right to be concerned about your forthcoming trip so you do need to try to sort this out now.  Do let us know how you get on.

Hi,  Just to let you know - you are not alone !  -  I have the same issue that has been on-going now for almost 5 years  -  Have a look at my later Blog on Eye On Spain's Blogs Pages  -  SUMA Bills  -  The Plot Thickens  !   &  SUMA property Bills bring a nasty surprise !