Hi all. New to this forum and would be grateful for some advice.
We are in the process of purchasing a property in La Alcaidesa, Andalucia but it has been disconnected from water and power for 10 years as it was a bank repossession.
Property built 2001 and looks in good order.
We are hearing conflicting views about the water and electricity reconnections and the boletins required.
Does the seller have to arrange and provide us with the boletin certificates before completion and can they be signed off before the electricity/water is connected?

Any insight about this potentially unusual situation and the what is the proper procedure esp for the electrical boletin would be appreciated.

Thanks

Boletín means the official ratification of a law- so not sure what you mean by boletín certificates?

These certificates are issued by the builder for a new property to prove everything is in order for the utility suppliers to connect their services to the property - so when buying a new property they are essential - usually for a second-hand property you need to see the latest utility bills to prove all is connected and paid up to date.

For a property which has been disconnected for so long I would be very wary - I would take professional local legal advice - IMO these are needed in your case to ensure that the property can be connected without problems and costs. Take care!

see here https://expatsmagazine.org/buying-property-in-spain/

when we bought our house to get the electricity contracted in my name we needed to get a new boletin. The solicitor arranged for an electrician to do the work which entailed the new then metal electric cabinet for meter outside fitting. The electrician did the work checked electrics in the house and issued the boletin. That boletin was the passed on to Endesa and since then the electric contract has been in my name. I dont know if it was the electrician or the solicitor that passed on the boletin to Endesa.


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Thanks bobd22.
Was your property already connected to the power supply before you had the boletin done?

Our potential purchase been disconnected for 10+ years so we think that will no doubt add to the complexity of the situation (same with water). All the other urbanication flats have similar setup to ours so hoping not too much updating required.....
We don't know if the boletin can be signed off before the power is reconnected however.
The sparky could use a portable generator to fully test the system perhaps? Or will the supplier/distributer use their own electrician to test and reconnect same day?

So many unknowns so much red tape and we haven't even completed yet. Do like a challenge though.

Thanks

David

Yes ours was connected we were changing the contract to our name. The boletin is really just the report to say that the system is up to date and complies with regulations the qualified electrician will check do remedial work prior to issuing the boletin which you can then present to supplier of your choice. I dont know whether or not they need the supply to be connected if they do and it isnt as always im sure local qualified electrician will know how to get around that. I know someone who had an electrical issue which turned out to be to do with the meter . The electrician by passed the meter the person had electricity until full repair could be done. I said who pays for your electric in between they said electrician said he would contact supplier and they would sort that out ? There are ways and means to achieve what needs doing that the spanish tradesman understand. I would speak to a reliable local electrician explain situation ensure they can carry out checks and issue boletin and im sure they will sort it out for you .

Yes ours was connected we were changing the contract to our name. The boletin is really just the report to say that the system is up to date and complies with regulations the qualified electrician will check do remedial work prior to issuing the boletin which you can then present to supplier of your choice. I dont know whether or not they need the supply to be connected if they do and it isnt as always im sure local qualified electrician will know how to get around that. I know someone who had an electrical issue which turned out to be to do with the meter . The electrician by passed the meter the person had electricity until full repair could be done. I said who pays for your electric in between they said electrician said he would contact supplier and they would sort that out ? There are ways and means to achieve what needs doing that the spanish tradesman understand. I would speak to a reliable local electrician explain situation ensure they can carry out checks and issue boletin and im sure they will sort it out for you .

DJC - sorry but I think you are missing the point - if you do not have the relevant bulletin - you will not be connected.

This paper tells the utility company your installation is safe and complies to all relevant regulations to be on the system.

As I said this is very much enforced on all new properties but it might be easier for a second hand but having been disconnected for ten years I would want cast iron certainties before I completed the purchase.

Not trying to be doom and gloom just realistic as to your possible problems.

Thanks spainrico.

Don't think we are missing the point but certainly share your -ve feelings on this.

D

Have you also asked if there were any unpaid bills for the services??
If there were you want these paid before you take ownership..Or you will be responsible..

As to reconnections and costs, contact the previous supplier direct and ask them what is required, your solicitor should be more than able to do this BUT here in Spain YOU have to ask, as they never volunteer to do anything.

Here are the Government advice
​​​​​​https://administracion.gob.es/pag_Ho...ctricidad.html

You also need to check that the property has a Licence of First Occupation. Without that they will not connect water or electricity. If the property was built without all the necessary paperwork with a proper building licence, it won’t have one.

I am assuming that the property was occupied and had water and electric connected prior to re possession? Your solicitor should be able to arrange these connections for you to ensure everything is legal. It was our solicitor that arranged all of this for me, setting up the contract with Endesa and then arranging for update to system new box and right potencia and issue of boletin.

It's what the certificates of compliance with up to date electrical installations are called by the electricity companies, and certainly always have been for at least the 21 years I've owned property in Spain. I'm surprised you aren't aware of this.

Electricity bulletin: what is the CIE? | Endesa

Yes was connected before repossession. What you describe is what we were hoping from our solicitor but they have told me that full reconnection is unusual and I am not convinced they will handle it in a coordinated manner. That is why I was curious about the steps and potential pitfalls that others may have experienced in a similar situation so I might avoid any unnecessary delays.

I would guess the supply will still physically connected but either something will have been done at the meter box to prevent drawing electricity in the property or maybe with a smart meter that can be done remotely? i would guess its the same with the water our ayuntamiento deal with our water. You simply turn it on at the meter. The people in our village dont use their own metered water for outside things like cleaning or building work etc, they just use the service points in the street connect a hose and draw free water. I suggest speaking to town hall and electric company you wish to use Im sure there will be a clear procedure to achieve what you want.

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