Utilities
INFORMATION REGARDING UTILITIES
After reading the following you will definetly realize the necessity to acquire a service agreement from your local real estate agent. A feeling of knowing that all is under control may help you live your stay in a foreign country a little better.
CABLE TV/SATALITE TV
-THE NECESSITY TO INSTALL CABLE TELEVISION,……… KNOW WHAT OFFERS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. UNDERSTAND CHANNELS ETC, AND PACKAGES.
-THE NEW RESIDENT IS TO KNOW THAT A CODICE FISCALE, AN IBAN NUMBER FROM AN ITALIAN BANK AND A PHOTOCOPY OF A PASSPORT IS NEEDED.
-CLOSING TV CONTRACTS CAN BE TRICKY. THEY PULL THE CANCELLATION PROCESS UP TO 60 DAYS OR MORE. THE MODEM IS ONLY RETURNABLE AFTER ALL THE CANCELLATION PAPERS HAVE BEEN UPDATED ON THEIR DATABASE. ….NORMALY, THE RESIDENT HAS ALLREADY LEFT ITALY AND THE CANCELLATION PROCESS IS STILL ACTIVE. …MONEY AND MODEM ARE TO BE LEFT AFTER YOUR DEPARTURE, TO INSURE A SECURE CLOSURE. IF THE CANCELLATION IS NOT SENT WITH A REGISTERED LETTER, WITH A RETURN REPLY, IT IS NOT ACCEPTED and PENALTY FEES ARE APPLICATED FOR LATE PAYMENTS.
INTERUPTION OF SERVICES ARE AUTOMATIC IF PAYMENT IS LATE. IF YOU HAVE A TV OR TELEPHONE CONTRACT AND HAVE A SPECIAL PRICE AND YOU DO NOT ABIDE BY THE 12 OR 24 MONTH CONDITION, ALL THE DISCOUNTS YOU THOUGHT DUE TO YOU ARE CANCELLED.
IF ANY PIECES OF THE MODEM, or other electrical pieces ARE MISSING, FEES ARE ADDED TO YOUR LAST PAYMENT.
IF YOUR AUTOMATIC DEBIT IS NOT TAKEN OFF THE ITALIAN BANK SYSTEM, THE TV COMPANY CONTINUES TAKING THEIR MONTHLY AMOUNT UNTIL THE BANK ACCOUNT IS CLOSED.
**IF YOU HAVE A 12/18/24 MONTH CONTRACT WITH THE TELEPHONE OR TV COMPANY, AND YOU LEAVE BEFOREHAND, THEY WILL TAKE THE LAST, 3 /4 MONTHS FEES TO MAINTAIN THE CONTRACT’S PROMISES, ………………YOU WILL NEED HELP HERE.
TELEPHONE COMPANIES
MOST TELEPHONE COMPANIES HAVE A ONE YEAR TRIAL OFFER PERIOD. THE INITIAL INSTALLATION COSTS CAN BE VERY LOW, BUT MAY TAKE TIME AND IN SOME CASES, SEVERAL PHONE CALLS HAVE TO BE MADE TO HURRY MATTERS ALONG. SOMEONE COMPETENT HAS TO REMIND THE RESIDENTS THAT CALLS OTHER THAN LOCAL PHONECALLS ARE VERY HIGH AND CONSEQUENTLY MAKE THE BILL VERY HIGH. THEY GAURANTEE A LOW MONTHLY PROFILE, BUT HIDDEN MOBILE CHARGES ARE VERY HIGH.
WHEN THERE IS INTERUPTION OF SERVICES, SEVERAL PHONECALLS HAVE TO BE MADE TO INSURE THAT THE RESIDENT HAS INTERNET RETURNED.
**WHEN A CONTRACT IS CANCELLED, MOST OF THE COMPANIES CHARGE A PENALTLY FOR NOT RESPECTING THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT, THIS IS TO BE NOTED, THE RESIDENT HAS TO KNOW AND ABIDE BY THIS. (AS NOTED ABOVE)
FOR THE TELECOM COMPANY, THE MODEM HAS TO BE RETURNED BY POST. THIS IS ONLY POSSIBILE “AFTER” YOUR DEPARTURE, YOU WILL NEED HELP WITH THE PHONECALL, WITH THE PACKAGE AND WHICH ADDRESS TO USE.
FOR THE FASTWEB COMPANY, THE MODEM IS RETURNED TO AN OFFICE IN BRINDISI UP TO 60 DAYS AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE RESIDENT. THIS ALSO IS A DUTY FOR SOMEONE TO REMEMBER AFTER YOUR DEPARTURE. YOU WILL NEED A PHOTOCOPY OF A PASSPORT AND THE ITALIAN FISCAL CODE TO DO THIS PROCEDURE.
ELECTRICITY COMPANY
MOST RESIDENTS DO NOT KNOW THAT A NORMAL HOUSE HAS 3KW TOTAL POWER.
THEY ARE TO BE INFORMED THAT MORE THAN 2 OR 3 APPLIANCES WILL AUTOMATICALLY CUT POWER OFF.
THEY ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT IS LIMITLESS IN THE NUMBER OF APPLIANCES AT ANY ONE TIME.
RESIDENTS DO NOT CHECK BILLS. ELECTRICITY IS CUT OFF, AND TELEPHONE CALLS ARE NECESSARY FOR THIS PROCESS. FAX’S WITH PAID RECEIPTS ARE TO BE MADE, RESULTING IN TIME AND EFFORT.
RESIDENTS NORMALLY DO NOT PUT BILLS IN ANY ORDER, THEY CANNOT READ THE BILLS AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND THEM AND NEED HELP.
WHEN A RESIDENT LEAVES BRINDISI, IN THE CASE OF A CONTRACT IN THEIR NAME, SOMEONE HAS TO CANCEL THEIR ELECTRICITY CONTRACT BY PHONE, WAIT FOR THE LAST BILL, NORMALLY AFTER 30/60 DAYS, THEN THIS ALSO HAS TO BE PAID.
WHEN A RESIDENT LEAVES BRINDISI, IN THE CASE OF THE CONTRACT IN THE LANDLORD’S NAME, SOMEONE HAS TO DIVIDE THE UTILITY READINGS BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES. THIS ALSO HAS TO BE CORRECTLY AND EVENLY DONE.
GAS COMPANY
THE GAS COMPANY IN ITALY HAS THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS. THE GAS IS THE ONLY READING THAT “ASSUMES” A READING. NOT ONLY IS THE GAS VERY COSTLY, “ASSUMED” READINGS LEAD TO BILLS OF UP TO THOUSANDS OF EUROS PER TWO MONTHS, WITH ABSOLUTLY NO EXPLANATION.
COMMON SENSE AND USE OF THE HEATING WILL ALLOW YOU TO SAVE ON GAS. SOMEONE HAS TO TAKE THE RESPOSIBILITY TO PHONE THROUGH WITH THE RIGHT READING EVERY TWO MONTHS.
IF A RESIDENT MAKES A CONTRACT FOR A NEW HOME, AND THE GAS METER IS STILL TO BE INSTALLED, THIS MAY RESULT IN 10>20 DAYS WAIT FOR THE NEW METER. IF THE METER IS INSTALLED AT THE TIME OF THE CONTRACT AND ONLY HAS TO PUT IT IN HIS NAME IT MAY TAKE ONLY 5>10 DAYS. THE SAME FOR THE DEPARTURE, THEY GIVE A DATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND THE TENANT HAS TO SIGN A FORM DECLARING THAT THEY ARE CLOSING THE METER.
WATER AND SEWAGE COSTS
WATER AND SEWAGE COSTS ARE NORMALLY ISSUED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE BUILDING. HE DIVIDES THE MAIN INVOICE BETWEEN THE APARTMENT METERS.
SMALL RECEIPTS WITH THE AMOUNT ARE HANDED TO THE LANDLORD AND THESE ARE TO BE PAID BY THE RESIDENTS. A RESIDENT HAS TO UNDERSTAND THE RECEIPT AND THE READINGS AND THE COSTS.
A RESIDENT IS ALSO TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF THE WATER PUMP IS ALLWAYS ON, (WHEN DAMAGED) MORE ELECTRICY CONSUPTION IS USED AND THEREFORE EXPENSIVE, ESPECIALLY IN VILLAS.
IF THE TOILET FLUSH IS CONSTANTLY ON, OF COURSE MORE WATER IS USED AND ALSO HERE, ANOTHER COST. (WHEN DAMAGED)
THESE PROBLEMS HAVE TO BE DIRECTED TO THE LANDLORD. IN MOST OF CASES LANDLORDS DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH, AGAIN, WE CAN HELP YOU THROUGH THIS.
CLEANING SERVICES / CHILDREN’S SERVICES / HEALTHCARE OUTSIDE THE UN CLINIC
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AND RECOMENDED STAFF AND CONTACT DETAILS THAT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH.
BOILER FEES AND RUBBISH FEES
Q. RUBBISH / TRASH, HOW DO I DEAL WITH THIS?
-Depending on your area, the list is different. Ask for an email to be sent to you translated in english for the rubbish/trash division. The divisions are: metal and glass together, these all go in the big blue bins on the streets around the city. Brindisi has the “ecological” that goes in a brown bin, “paper” and “plastic” divisions that go in plasic bags and just placed on the road on various days, and at various times, and this will be written on this email. What remains is the “not divided” articles, (indifferenziato) that literally means “everything else” from the above that goes in a grey bin.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any other question that you may have.
RESIDENTS HAVE TO BE INFORMED THAT YEARLY BOILER FEES AND YEARLY RUBBISH FEES ARE NORMAL AND HAVE TO BE PAID. IT IS NECESSARY THAT THEY ARE TOLD THAT IS OK, AND ACCORDING TO ITALIAN RULES.
ALL REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE ETC FOLLOW A LIST, (A LEGALLY RECOGNIZED LIST, ALSO AVAILABLE ON INTERNET) A SPECIAL LIST THAT EXISTS BETWEEN TENANT AND LANDLORD. THIS LIST EXPLAINS WHETHER THE COST IS TO BE PAID BY THE TENANT OR THE LANDLORD. You can also check out our “MAINTENANCE” SECTION.
some faq that may help you here…..
Q. WILL I HAVE ANY DIFFICULTIES SETTING UP MY UTILITIES?
– As long as you have an Italian tax code, you should not encounter any difficulties other than certain short delays when installing a phone for example. Certain areas of Italy are not covered by the ADSL or FIBRE network and your agent will inform you if these options are available or not. The average time that it takes to install a phone in Italy is up to a maximum of two weeks. It can take longer however if there are problems with the network in the neighborhood, if you’re not home when the technician comes by, etc. we will make sure of an appointment suitable for you and that the wait is a short as possible.
The SKY tv provider and FASTWEB telephone company for example, need italian bank coodinates to obtain a hookup.
The main and important issue to remember in Italy is the gas reading. It is not automatic and make sure that every 2 or 3 months, either you or the landlord takes this responsibility to read the gas meter and forward this to the gas company. These gas bills are NEVER correct, learn to read them and keep them up to date. The date consumptions on the gas bill are not the true date consumptions, so do not read these, only the meter readings count.
The water readings are normally done by the administrtor of the building, otherwise the same applies for the water meter.
Electricity is automatic and is allways correct 100%, it is enough to read the date consumption on the invoice. (in this case it is correct)
Q. WHAT UTILITY BILLS ARE AT THE TENANT’S COST?
– Tenants are responsible for paying their own utility bills which include, gas, electricity, town hall local rubbish/garbage fees and water. These costs are based on how much you consume. When a property is rented, the utility bills can either be put into the name of the new tenant or remain in the landlord’s name. When the tenant transfers the utilities, a small deposit cost (between 20 and 30euros) will be included in the new tenant’s first bill sent by each of the utility companies, this will be reimbursed on your last bill of closure. When you move in, it is the landlord’s responsibility to have the boiler up and working. Only after your first 12 months does the tenant pay the plumber for the yearly check up, which may vary between 80/90 euros. Internet and tv hookups are at the tenant’s cost.
Q. WHEN DO I RECEIVE UTILITY BILLS? (the first question in this section may help you here as well)
– Utility bills, electricity and gas, are sent out every two months. Water, about ¾ times a year. The rubbish/garbage fee will have various installments, to make it easier we will help you plan to pay this fee once every 6 months. Among our services, we help you take the utility readings at “check in” time. In order to make sure that you don’t receive wrongly calculated gas bills, it is very important that you or your landlord communicate regular meter readings to the utility company to avoid any unpleasant, large bill . This last note is only for the gas,.. Italy does not, until now have automatic gas reading. Remember to put your name straight away on your letterbox for utility contracts and bills. Keep these bills in order, pay them and check them every month, cutoffs are more regular and immediate now in Italy.
Q. WILL THERE BE ANY PROBLEMS REGARDING CABLE TELEVISION IN ITALY?
– Italy has both cable and satellite options. We can assist you with what is most appropriate for your needs, requirements and location of the property.
