News
January 2010 Newsletter
Spanish Solutions Legal and Tax Newsletter January 2010/ issue 5 |
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In this issue: · Medieval Markets · Client Profile · Iberdrola savings · Polaris · NEWS · Habitation Certificates . |
We are forming a collaboration in Dublin with Comaskeys Estate Agents in the Liffey Trust Centre, 117-126 Upper Sheriff Street, Dublin 1. It´s beside the O2 and is the last stop on the Luas. You can´t miss it! We are holding a launch day in Dublin at the Liffey Trust Centre with the staff from Spanish Solutions in La Zenia on Saturday 6th February 2010 11-4 pm and would love our clients in Dublin and their friends to pop in and see us. Do come…! |
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Medieval Markets There will be a Medieval Market in San Miguel de Salinas on the 29th, 30th and 31st January 2010. The stalls will be situated in Plaza Pozo de Enmedio, the inauguration will be on the 29th at 18:00. From the 13th to the 15th of February 2010, Orihuela will be holding its 10th Medieval Market, regarded as one of the three main markets of all Spain. February 13th at 11:00 a.m, the Medieval Market will be inaugurated with a parade starting at the Town Hall and finishing at the Marqués de Rafal Square. The inauguration will have a show and there will be activities for all ages. During the three days when this market is celebrated, it will start at 11:30 a.m. and finish at 12 midnight, and it will offer shows, workshops and activities during the day and night. POLARIS We feel that our clients should be aware of the possible implications of Polaris going into bankruptcy... On 22nd December 2009, the Polaris World Group were basically given 3 months by Murcia Court to renegotiate a debt of close to 100m Euro in order to regain liquidity. If Polaris files for bankruptcy at the end of the 3 months, it is important that action is taken as quickly as possible by anyone with a claim. If you do nothing, then the problem will be doubled as eventually you will need to prove your debt to both Polaris and the Judge. Now is the time to start digging out paperwork, all correspondence, any guarantees, bank statements, receipts, etc. and getting a file together in case it is needed as usually there is only a month to put your claim in, which is not that long. We will try to keep you informed of what is happening, or contact us and we will find out what we can. VAT INCREASE Spain's standard rate of VAT will be increased from currently 16% to 18%. The higher reduced rate of currently 7% will rise to 8%. Both rate changes will come into effect on 1 July 2010. Spain operates a system of three VAT rates:
If you require any advice regarding VAT or tax with respect to your business please contact Poli on info@spanishsolutions.net. Does your property have a Habitation Certificate? If you are intending to sell your property in Spain you must have a current Habitation certificate "Cedula de Habitabilidad". These are issued by the town hall to a builder on completion of new properties, stating each property has been passed as habitable. Once obtained, the Habitation Certificate has a validity of five years and states that the building conforms to the original plans submitted to the town hall. When the five years expires, the owner of the property should renew the certificate via the town hall, who will issue the new certificate, a Licencia de Segunda Ocupación in the name of the owner of the property. If any refurbishments are made to the property (including the closing in of patio areas, paving of gardens, adding of additional rooms etc.) permission should be obtained from the town hall prior to starting the works. The representatives of any buyers will now ask for a certificate that is in date, and many clients are finding that they need to get this renewed before selling their property. Unfortunately, this is also when the Town Hall will become aware of any minor works made without permission. If you are planning to sell your house, you should get help to organise your paperwork so as to avoid delays – what you don't want to do is to lose a buyer. If you are buying a property, check the situation regarding the Habitation Certificate and take advice from us or you could possibly have a problem. We can assist with the paperwork and application. Please contact Eva, Silvia or Yolanda with any queries regarding purchasing or selling properties or Habitation Certificates. |
We do like to find ways of saving money for you, so please do read on… As from 1 July 2009, there was a new law passed in relation to the electricity market in Spain starting a "free market". We were aware of this, but we investigated then whether another company in this area offered the opportunity to switch suppliers, but they didn't unless the contracted power was above 10kW (high for domestic). We are now aware of something that we wish to share with you… Some of you will know that in July, if you were with Iberdrola, you were switched to a new company with a new contract number and the bills are every month, but the readings are bi-monthly. The tariff on this contract is gradually increasing. You may have noticed! Your options: If your contracted power is equal to or less than 10 kW (which is the case of most consumers) 2) You can change to a new company entirely now that there is a free market, or within your existing supplier´s Group. We have discovered that by changing from Iberdrola Comercialización de Último Recurso, S.A.U. to Iberdrola Generación S.A.U., electricity prices will be at the minimum permitted in the market. This doesn't mean your bills will be immediately lower, but the increases will be in line with the government tariff recommendation increases and so less. Your bills will be back to bi-monthly with accurate readings. Basically if you choose to switch now to Iberdrola Generación, the price increases will be lower by choosing the free market company within Iberdrola than if you stay with the Iberdrola Comercialización de Último Recurso, and the opportunity to switch will only be there for one year. Then the contract is renewed automatically each year. I know this is boring, but I also know what I am going to do..! We have checked other free market companies, Unión Fenosa and Endesa, and can give you their details if you wish. We would like to offer to make the change of contract for you with Iberdrola at a charge of €30 to cover our time and the work involved. If you are interested, please send Amanda an email on sales@spanishsolutions.net or telephone 966761741. CLIENT PROFILE We´d like to tell you about one of our new clients and neighbours here at La Zenia: Lyndyloo Bridal. Louise and her team are experienced wedding planners who can arrange a beautiful, affordable wedding in Spain dealing with legalities, paperwork, venue and all the important extras like cakes, flowers, transport and music. Lyndyloo not only sell bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses, mother of the bride outfits, but also stunning evening dresses, communion wear, and boy´s suits. Until the end of January, they have a 50% sale and it is definitely worth looking at their range of evening wear even if there isn´t a forthcoming wedding in the family. Their new showroom is at the rear of Paddy´s Point, La Zenia, opposite the taxi rank. Further details are www.lyndylooinspain.com Tel: 654897720. and finally… Please contact us if you have any comments regarding this newsletter or if have any general questions or queries. We shall be happy to be of help. Editor: Amanda Thomas, Spanish Solutions sales@spanishsolutions.net Full members of TIBA -The International Business Association, an association of professional and legal businesses on the Orihuela Costa. See www.tibacb.com for more details of their tradesmen and services. The Spanish Solutions team: Poli Borisova, Ana Maria Barbadora Fernández, Eva G. Gilmartin, Lynne Henderson, Yvonne Hollywood, Yolanda Villa Piñero, Silvia Sanchez, Amanda Thomas, Susana Garcia Vega. Tel: 00 34 966761741 Visit us online at: www.spanishsolutions.net |
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