local house tax suma

hi

in the uk if a property is uninhabitable then the owner does not have to pay council tax (local tax) is this the same in spain

how do you inform the council that the house is not fit to live in

 You can communicate these facts to the Local Council. I would advise you to obtain information at the Local Taxes department in your council.

I wish it were true, unfortunately I think you'll find that all the bills keep rolling in whether there's any one there or not

I believe you mean, Timeyear, that the property is not fit for human  habitation.  As Maria says, you need to contact your Local Authority (usually the Environmental Health Department) and advise them of the situation.  Usually the following would describe unfit housing:

If you think that the house in which you live is unfit for human habitation, have your house assessed. Items which may contribute to a dwelling being unfit include the following:

• Structural stability
• Excessive dampness
• Lack of adequate lighting, heating and ventilation
• Lack of facilities for food preparation and cooking
• Lack of suitably located water closet, wash hand basin and bath
• A defective drainage system for foul and waste water

If you are unable to approach the Local Authority yourself then it would be advisable to engage the services of a gestoría, for example.

Patricia

Campana

Quote ":    If you think that the house in which you live is unfit for human habitation, have your house assessed. Items which may contribute to a dwelling being unfit include the following:"

I would have thought that if one is living in a property then cannot say it is unfit, and then use that as a reason not to pay local taxes (which pay for the local services which one needs if one lives in a town, whether it's in a mansion or under a bridge).

Timeyear did not say s/he is living in the house (see post).   Indeed s/he has given little information on the state of the house, whether it is just badly rundown or close to being a condemned building.

 I am aware of what council taxes (rates) are, and what they pay for. 

As it says, have the house assessed as "unfit" (or maybe the local authority will decide it is in actual fact "fit, who knows?!), and then the Local Authority will have its say, no doubt.  Until Timeyear approaches the appropriate department at the  Local Authority offices she won't know, and neither will we.

  Sorry Campana,

 I was not having a go at you, just commenting (rather tongue in cheek) when you said, " If you think that the house in which you live is unfit for human habitation, have your house assessed. ..."

Hi, Bit late in the day.

But i have a property in Spain (Alfaz) i left the property in Nov 2010 i have paid any due taxes by ther due dates. I returned to the property 2 months (March) ago to find it had been partly destroyed by fire (arson) and the rest destroyed by thieves and robbers. I am told the damage etc was executed in December 2010. The house in not inhabitable and i have rented locally.

Q can i get a refund or a discount on the property taxes i have paid and that will become due.