WATER

[joanne]

We have just got back and wonder if anyone can help us re a BIG account we have had.

We have a 3 bed villa which we use about just 10 weeks a year, we do not rent and the only person who has a gate key is the pool man who comes once a week, the Direct Debit which we had to set up goes out monthly and ranges from 30.00 Euros to 80.00 Euros depending on the time of year etc.

On arriving this time the Water statement was there and for July, which we were not there was a staggering 1300.00 Euros, we have spoken to them, and basically been told hard luck, we should have not paid it if we were not happy, but we had to set the Direct Debit up in the 1st place to get the water....

We have been into the Bank and they have now put a limit on the amount the water Board? can take out each month as when they set it up they can take anything out upto a million Euros...This is a warning to others we know this is wrong and have left the last few bills with a friend who is trying to sort it out for us, has anyone else ever come acrosss anything like this and was it ever solved? Any help please...

[EMM]

Thanks for the warning, we do get our meter read every month and pay the montly bills which obviously vary considerably season to season.
We will now avoid direct debit.

[joanne]

They will not you cancel the Direct Debit, but the Bank can put a limit on the amount that can be taken, we have put a stop at 150.00 Euros, it has to be done in the Bank, we asked could we have monthly bills and pay when we out, but we were told cannot do that unless you live there all the time, so they got you really...

[logicbob]

We had a bill for 2,400 euros once and that was because the gardener left the water running for about 2 months. I would check that you do not have a leak in your pipes some where.

[Milo]

Joanne,
I have experienced the same a one month bill for 909 euros ( usage 256 metres) and we were only at our villa for 1 week in this period.
I obtained a copy of the bill and found out we are being charged commercial rate as our villa is in co name.
Emarp said we must have a leak but this is not the case as i arranged for our gardeners to check.When we were there last weekend i took daily readings and our usage is 1 to 1.5 meters per day so something must be wrong.
I am going to request a new meter and change the contract name when i am next over at the end of the month.

I have heard that people will connect to your outside tap if accessible but surely this cannot be true.

But as like you we pay by direct debit there appears to be no way of knowing usage until after the event by which time it is too late.

Milo

[EMM]

Sadly connections by others to your supply does happen.
A couple of years ago friends moving in to their new villa found a spur off their supply. The hose pipe snaked off into the distance.
Rather than have confrontation they cut it and put a lock on their outside connections.

They heard or saw nothing more.

[shanagarry]

It's not just water that creates large unexpected bills - electricity is another cash drain unless you keep tabs on it. I have just received a €1,100 bill which I challenged and was told that the pool heater and the air conditioning (in one bedroom) as well as the ancient radiators (used during the winter) we have around the house are responsible. As we are about to have some major refurbishment work carried out, I will be paying particular attention to areas that will save on energy costs.

We have always limited the DD amount as friends of ours had a similar problem to the one outlined some years back and we took action as a result. It doesn't make the bill any easier to 'swallow' but at least you stay in control.

[mike123]

Hi .i've been reading some of these articles on water bills.I am moving to CVO in Oct. Our villa has just been finished.
Our builder says to not be surprised to find a water and elec bill when we arrive.what can he possibly mean?
And what is a typical monthly water and elec bill for a 3 bedroom villa?

[completecarvoeiro]

Mike,
obviously you or your builder must have registered for the amenities therefore there will be outstanding bills?

Re a 3 bed villa it obviously depends on how much you use each particular provider,for instance the winter will be more in electricity whilst the summer period you should use more water,filling of pool,irrigation etc,its common sense really.

[EMM]

It is important that you ensure that the water and electricity are registered in your name and NOT the builders.

Builders often have a time limited contracts on new builds and if this expires before it is transferred to you you may find yourself cut off.

[steve]

The water and electricity supplies laid on for the building works are temporary and only last for the period of the building licence. After that you have to produce a copy of the habitation licence and proof of a document lodged with the Financas for IMI purposes before the camara will set up a domestic water contract. If you are on mains drains you will also get a nasty shock when you receive a bill for a connection tax ( in my case about 1200 euros).

To get a permanent electricity contract you have to get the electrician to give the correct certificate to EDP that all the relevant regulations have been complied with. Depending on the size of the fuses originally applied for by the builder you may also get a shock if you want these uprated to cope with significant power demands. EDP used to uprate the fuses for free but now they charge

[Rampage]

Don't know if this helps as a guide. We have a 3-bed villa with pool in Carvoeiro. The pool has a heater (electric heat-siphon) but the villa has no a/c. Villa heating in the winter is mainly by wood-burning stove supplemented by electric heat waifers and the occasional warm air blower in the bedrooms. From my accounts for 12 months to June 2009 average electricity bill was 97.28 euros/month and water was 57.56 euros/month.

[joanne]

Thanks for all the replies I am still waiting for some sort of answer from the agent but think we will just have to put it down to experience, but it is really annoying that this can happen, should not be over till October, but going out in a couple of weeks with friends so will check again, but think we will need to look into putting locks on the outside taps, but we have irrigation so do not think we can do that?

The only advice we can give is go into your bank and put a limit on the amount that can be tacken each month.....

[maccasa]

Hi joanne - Nice to meet you at last. We kept an eye on your villa when you left and no-one appeared or seemed to interfere wth your water meter - the irrigation seemed to come on a the right times etc. We are out 1st 2 weeks Nov - see you again then?

[joanne]

Hi Maccassa

Sent you a pm last week, ta for checking it out for us, Sharen and Michael Crane just arrived in Faro and they are staying on our Road, so they are going to take a reading for me and tex it to me, then I out next Friday, we out on 23rd October for 8 nights but will def see you at New Yesar.

Joex