can anybody please enlighten me. I am back in UK and have had a request fm our local town hall to pay our IBI tax, its 400 euros, does this not seem a lot? also what is this tax , is it like council tax, any info would be aprreciated,thanks,pat

It's the rates/council tax. If you have never heard of this, then it could be more than one year's payment overdue?

well, I probably have payed it before, payed such a lot of bills but just couldnt remember this one. also, we are not resident in spain soooo do we still pay the rates? I think you will probably say yes....
do you think that 400 euros is a lot for 1 years rates????

Not compared to what you would pay in the UK.

Non residents do pay. It does seem excessive.

It depends on the value of your property. I pay slightly less per year on a 3 bed apartment.

Patsy, I expect you know that in addition to the IBI, basura, garage entrance etc. which everyone pays, non residents must also pay the Non Resident Property Tax.

It used to be paid on the same form (214) as the Patrimonio Tax, which has been suspended (not abolished). It should have been paid by 31st December 2009, for 2008.

Its what I pay

It has increased a lot since we first started paying but last year mine was still less than 300 including basura.

Does depend on the property value and the area you live in. Ha, ha, so you live in a mansion do you Mitz?

Ha ha .... I think the pool makes a difference though

No idea. But mine was next to nothing five years ago (for a 2 bed town apartment) and has increased considerably. I don't believe making comparisons to UK council tax helps at all, seeing as I am liable for both.

With most town halls being broke, next years bills may be 'just a bit higher'

Maybe we should apply for a loan now !!!!!

The amount of IBI (Impuesto sobre bienes Inmuebles) you are liable for is calculated by the official valuation (valor catastral) of your property, recorded by the Land Registry (Catastro) which is lower that the real market value. The location and size of your property is also be taken into account.

Find out your catastral value and then go to http://www.suma.es/ and input it and you will find out if your bill is correct - it usually is.

Hope this helps.