Cancel Utilities

Hi

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to cancel my Electric, Gas and Water bills by just stopping the direct debits from my online banking.  I have not used or been to my property in nearly two years simply because I cannot afford to.  I am unemployed and really struggling to keep meeting my spanish mortgage each month along with the utility bills that keep coming.  The electric bill is always around €50 every two months, water is around €70 a quarter even though nobody is there.  Just think these are very high for non use and it would give me a little breathing space until I work out my next move.  I would just love to give the keys back to the bank and stop this nightmare.  have enquired about a dation, but I could not afford the high costs involved. I am also thinking of going bankrupt in the UK due to debts.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Pat. Sorry to hear your dimise.

If you stop the Direct Debits I am sure all that will happen is that the utility companies will just Remove the metres.After a period of time.

Might be better if you talk with them first so outstanding payments can be collected.

Sorry I can't help anymore.

Good Luck

Hi El alamillo

Thanks for the reply.  I do not have any outstanding payments on my utilities, and all are up todate.  However, the problem is I have never received a bill from any of these utility providers and so do not have any account nos. etc.   I have tried contacting Iberdrola before on setting up online billing.  However, they could not find my details from my name and address and passport details, so therefore told me that they couldn't set me up with online billing.  Strange though they can still debit my account for the electricity.  I have emailed a solicitor for advise on this matter and have been advised they can help me with contacting each provider to disconnect.  The cost being €75 + TAX for each utility I want to cancel.  That's why I thought just canceling the direct debit would be the best option for me, as I am currently going around in circles.  The joys of Spain. 

Hi Pat. Not sure this is the best way. But I have seen property owners who have failed to pay there Utility bills on time. The Utility company just turn up before the end of the month and Remove the Metres. Not sure if you would incur any additional charges if this happens... But looks better than to Pay €75 + iva.

What may happen is when and if you come to re-connect. This disconnection charge may be added.

Don't think being bankrupt in uk will have any over riding factor in Spain.

What I can't understand that declairing yourself Bankrupt in UK costs you money that you don't have in the first place.

As I remember I went with my sister some years ago to leicester courts to decleire her bankrupt and I had to pay £375.

I know that the above does not really answer your question. This must be happening to a lot of others.

Good Luck again

Firstly, the direct debits at your bank will have a reference number on them. You should use these to find out your account numbers.

Secondly, the amount you are paying for non-use seems quite high. Your water will be around €50 a quarter in standing charge and taxes whether you use any water or not. Your electricity, however, should only be around 10 to 12 euro a month, not the €50 you are paying (this will all depend on the amount of power you are contracted for, of course).

Not sure if they remove the meters now. Most areas have been switched to remote meters which they simply turn off. You would, of course, be liable for the reconnection charges some time in the future. When they do turn the utility off, you will get a letter saying they could not levy the charge. This letter will have your account number on it so that's another way of getting hold of it. 

Both companies have an email facility which is a far better way of getting in touch with them. I can't remember what the address is but it is under the contact details on their websites. They reply quite quickly (within a day or 2) and in English if the email was sent in English.

Hope everything goes alright for you. When your personal circumstances change it can be a shock to the system and you could do with something less to worry about.

Have you heard of the "Debt Relief Order" for the UK, very similar to going bankrupt but you don't go to court, so your name dont get put in the newspapers,  and it's a whole lot cheaper as well, like going bankrupt you do have to have no assets in your name, I helped a young girl go through this about 3 years ago. Things might have changed in this time but still worth the look. Think the cost back then was about £90.00.

In effect you are declared, not bankrupt, but having no money to pay any creditors, when this takes effect you get no more demand letters, or bills.

If memory serves me correct we went to the citizens advice bureau,  they did everything,filling in forms, writing to creditors, everything. How this would help your Spanish problems I have no idea, can only think if you have no money here, then you have no money in Spain.

Hi El alamillo

Thank you for the feedback.  Appreciate it! 

Pat

Thank you for your advice mariedav.

Yes the Iberdrola bill use to be monthly. but was changed by them to bi-monthly.  It is always around €50.  However, the last bill was €59.  It's robbery when no one is even using the electricity.  So just to get these cancelled would be a great help on my finances.  I will look into my account and get the account nos from the direct debits and cancel these straight away.  Thanks again.

Hi baz1946 never heard of the debt relief order.  I will investigate this tomorrow.  Many thanks.

Sorry for your predicament Pat. 59e is about right for 2 month's standing charges with Iberdrola I'm afraid as it has recently increased. This is for the lowest potencia of 5.5kw.(we pay this amount for our holiday home)  It does seem like daylight robbery so the sooner that you can cancel your supply the better. As mariedav points out, they do reply in English and quickly.

Good luck with it all.

Be aware that if you terminate the contact you may have to pay for a new contract when you want to reconnect. That also might (depending on the age of the property) have to get a safety cert too.

Hi Pat.

Without useage

Sounds like you are on the same Tariff as myself.

5.75 Kw over 69 days = € 38.75

Services € 3.90

IVA @ 21%

€51.60

Hi Pat.. have just sent you a pm.

Hi Pat,

Just sent you a PM with a link that may help you.

Could I suggest to the Forum owners that the "Like & Dislike" markers be replaced with something such as,  when someone likes the advice given, and they tick the "Like' box their name shows up, same with "Don't like".

I gave some honest truthful advice, which I would add I did for this young person, to Pat about the Debt Relief Order and some mindless moron ticked the dont like box, why? Do you know better? If so why haven't you spoken up to disapprove it, if I was wrong, don't fret.... I will admit to it loud and clear.

Doing what you have done... (Yes I know who it is).... Could put extra unnecessary doubt in Pats mind when all she did was ask for help and advice, which I think is the last thing she need's right now.

It bothers me not one jot how many "Thumbs down" I get, all that means is the downer has read my post, but it's certainly no help for, in this case Pat.