• Property for Sale
  • To Rent
  • Holidays
  • Directory
  • Articles
  • Jobs
    • € EUR
    • Professionals/Advertiser Login
    • Advertise your Property on thinkSPAIN
    • Sell your property with an estate agent
    • Add your Business to the Directory
    • Advertising with thinkSPAIN
    • List a job vacancy on thinkSPAIN
    • By Signing up you are agreeing with our Terms and Privacy Policy.

      Looking for the Professionals/Advertiser Login?
      or

      Don't have an account?  

      • Follow us:

By Signing up you are agreeing with our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Looking for the Professionals/Advertiser Login?
or

Don't have an account?  

Sign up

By Signing up you are agreeing with our Terms and Privacy Policy.
or

Already have a thinkSPAIN account?

Sign in/Register

By Signing up you are agreeing with our Terms and Privacy Policy.
or

Don't have an account?

Forgot your password?

thinkSPAIN Logo

Utility boards must give three written warnings and two to four months' notice before cutting off electricity

 

Utility boards must give three written warnings and two to four months' notice before cutting off electricity

thinkSPAIN Team 20/04/2017

Utility boards must give three written warnings and two to four months' notice before cutting off electricity
ELECTRICITY firms will be required to give three warnings and then wait at least four months before cutting off power due to non-payment, according to a draft law sent to Spain's 17 autonomously-governed regions by the central government.

Two months' grace after the three warnings will be given to the average householder, but those listed as 'vulnerable' or who are in receipt of social service funding, or registered with the electricity board for benefits reducing their bills due to poverty, will get a four-month breathing space to try to find the money before they lose their connection.

Spain's ministry for energy has drawn up the law text based upon the contributions of all political groups which supported the move for 'energy benefits' to be allowed to very low-income households on a means-tested basis.

Income levels are set for those who qualify, but are higher for householders with disabilities or who have to care for disabled relatives full-time.

Utility boards must now inform customers of their non-payment as soon as this occurs, then request the money via a legal document known as a burofax sent by registered post, or by email with a digital signature.

A second, then third and final warning will be given via alternative means to ensure it reaches the customer, and if, within two months of the third warning, the bill has not been paid, then the company can cut the householder off.

If they qualify as a low-income or 'vulnerable' customer, they will not be cut off for another four months.

Regional authorities must also be informed, and will keep a permanent database of customers whose supply has been disconnected so they can check whether those affected are considered 'at risk of social exclusion' and take the necessary measures.

These households are generally defined as those where the social services pays at least 50% of the bill.

Where this is the case, the social services and the utility board wil co-finance the cost of the bill to stop the supply being cut off.

All warnings from power companies must give information about 'voluntary prices for small consumers' and 'energy benefits' that the customer may be able to avail him- or herself of.

Electricity boards are not allowed to apply 'admin fees' for switching the contract to either of these.

The new law has been brought in following pressure by left-wing opposition members and social organisations sparked by the death of an elderly lady last year.

Her house caught fire after a candle she used for light – her electricity having been cut off because she could not pay her bills – having tipped over and, as she was partially disabled, could not get out of her apartment in time.

 

 

Related Topics

  • Society

Advertisement

Advertisement

More News & Information

How to help residents affected by the recent floods
Society 05/11/2024
How to help residents affected by the recent floods

VARIOUS charities and organisations – local and national – have set up channels for members of the public to help those affected by the storms and flash floods in the province of Valencia.

View
Anti-phone scam and cold-call laws announced
Legal & Finance 24/10/2024
Anti-phone scam and cold-call laws announced

NEW legislation aiming to protect the public from telephone scams and cold-calling is under construction, and will attempt to attack it at source by tightening up on commercial use of customers' personal data.

View
New childcare support law for Spain: An overview
Society 18/03/2024
New childcare support law for Spain: An overview

GREATER practical and financial help for parents is on the cards now that a new 'family law' has passed its second reading in the Council of Ministers, with extended maternity and paternity pay, protected time...

View
'Style Queen': UK media pours praise on HRH Letizia's elegant attire
Society 27/02/2024
'Style Queen': UK media pours praise on HRH Letizia's elegant attire

BRITISH media outlets have lauded Spain's Queen Letizia's effortlessly-elegant dress sense over the past few days as she accompanies her husband King Felipe VI to London.

View

Advertisement

  1. Spain
  2. Utility boards must give three written warnings and two to four months' notice before cutting off electricity