Rates

Most important..	If you are making any enquiry regarding RATES, make sure that you check out your correct MUNICIPAL ADDRESS – these details are contained within the Rates Receipt for your property. Remember that the Town Hall does not record any “commercial name” details i. e the name of the complex of apartment – the Town Hall refer to the address as the road or street with the relevant number of the street for a house or number for the apartment together with floor number, door number etc.
How can I check if there are rates outstanding on the property before I purchase a property?	By visiting the relevant Tax Department of the Town Hall (Departamento de Recaudación) - present the latest/any rates receipt you have and ask “Are there outstanding rates/debts on this property?” (¿Hay alguna deuda sobre esta propiedad?). You will be told yes or no. If it is yes - the Town Hall may or not give you the information. It may require a solicitor acting for you, or the owner himself/herself to go and extract the details, but at least you will know that something has to be done, and payment made by the owner before you complete your transaction. Remember: Just because you see the “latest” receipt for Rates, does NOT mean that other years are paid - check and make sure.
What do the reference numbers mean on the rates receipt?(Referencia Catastral)	Javea Town Hall classifies all properties in different sectors, which usually have five digits - the property (as per the official plans) has another number - and then there are the letters BC followed by further digits. e.g. 68562 = sector, 01 = house. Therefore the reference number would be:- 6856201BC0000 0000 XX
As a new owner, how do I change my name on the rates receipt ? (el cambio de nombre del recibo de impuesto de bienes inmuebles)	You take a photocopy of:- 1) Latest rates receipt 2) Deeds of purchase 3) Your Foreign Identification Number (commonly called “X” number or NIF) (Número de Identificación Extranjero) Having an N.I.E. is obligatory. Visit the relevant office in the Town Hall of the town (in Jávea, it is situated on the ground floor of the new building called “Area Economica”, in the Calle Mayor, just down the hill from the Museum). Present all the documentation— (in Jávea, you enter the office, go to the counter at the end, in front of you as you enter ), and you will be asked to sign a form. You are normally given a copy (or the official copy will be sent to you by Post*) and the computer automatically updates the records into your name FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR. The rates receipt to be issued in the following year (as well as the municipal rubbish collection bill) will bear your name. Make sure that you check out your correct MUNICIPAL ADDRESS – these details are contained within the Rates Receipt for your property. Remember that the Town Hall does not record any “commercial name” details i. e the name of the complex of apartment – the Town Hall refer to the address as the road or street with the relevant number of the street for a house or number for the apartment together with floor number, door number etc.
The owner has said there are “no rates”, how can I be sure and check this out?	All properties should be paying rates. Take all the correct details of house numbers, new street names and numbers to the office (in Jávea, the building is in the Calle Mayor, just down the Hill from the Museum in the Old Town. It is called the “Area Economica” and, on entering, to check on plans and location, go to the counter right at the end, in front of you as you enter) and ask to see the Town Plans, to check on the location of the property. ( NB: Newly-constructed new properties will usually be in a transmission stage for classifying within the Central Rates department in Alicante, and in due course, the property will be issued with the new rates reference, and rates bills will be issued.)
Anything else I should be aware of ?	From the official plans, the Town Hall assistant will be able to “place” the property and confirm whether the address is correct, the name of the street and the number, and also check for the rates reference number. There are some cases, although not common, where there is no record within the Town Hall of the property, and that “no rates” are applicable for some reason. This must be sorted out. ! The Town Hall has the forms which will require specific information and documentation in order to regularise the situation within the Central Rates Department in Alicante and the local Town Hall. Care needs to be taken when completing this requisite, for presentation to be made in the correct manner, and to avoid further delays or requests for papers that were not included. (Obtain guidance from an expert.)