Basura Payment

[pandmlower]

Since moving to a small village near Albox we have paid full charges for the collection of our rubbish - we have now discovered that one of our neighbours with a bin opposite his house pays 9 euros, the rest of the residents in the village (spanish / english) pay nothing. We know the range of charges but dispute that we should pay over 31 euros when the bin is not opposite our house but as close to two spanish houses as it is to ours. We have been to the offices of the Consorcio Almanzora Levan but with our limited spanish have been unable to make any headway, they just say that it is 'impueste' (taxes) from the Diputacion de Almeria. What can we do next - if anything?

[Olè]

Take a translater with you!

[BillyBob]

The payment rule is if you live more than 300 mts from a collection point and the collection vehicle does not pass or cannot pass your premises you only pay €9.00.

If you are near to a collection point you pay €31.00.

If the collection vehicle can pass your property or with-in 300 mts of your property you pay the full amount and you should demand a bin near your property.

These rules obviously make no sense in your situation but that's the way it is, you can go and see them but it will make no difference.

[Wolfie]

We are much further away than 300 metres from our bins in the village. We went to the basura office and they asked if we wanted a bin closer, and we declined. They amended their computer, they helped us fill in a form and told us that somebody would be coming to officially measure the distance in due course. Until then we need not pay our basura bill. It all seemed relatively straightforward, but we'll wait and see. The official line is that unless you complain you will automatically be charged €31.

[pandmlower]

Please let us know how you get on - the office told us there would be an inspection but took no details

[pandmlower]

That is a stupid comment and does not even really warrant this reply - we undertood what was said but could not get a useful response from them - nobody's spanish would ever improve if a translator was always used.

[digifidd]

Perhaps Ole's post could have been put a little softer, but I dont think it was a bad suggestion, just a suggestion badly put perhaps.

Until a person's Spanish is really good and they're confident about speaking to officialdom and understanding it, I really think an interpreter is a good idea.

Even by listening in on the exchange, someone learning Spanish will pick up words and piece things together.

It's a shame Michaela isn't working there anymore as she must have been such an asset to the company given the number of expats who don't understand the system let alone Spanish.

I dont know if she is still interpreting, but she probably could be contacted through Jo Tissington at the Albox Town Hall. She would be able to explain things to you.

[BillyBob]

At a visit to the Consorsio Office in March where all our details were taken, we were told an inspector would visit and check the distance to the nearest rubbish bin which according to my cars odometer is 650 Mts.

Having heard nothing and still paying the full amount we called again the 1st week in August and were told he had not had time to check as yet ?????

[Olè]

. We have been to the offices of the Consorcio Almanzora Levan but with our limited spanish have been unable to make any headway, they just say that it is 'impueste' (taxes) from the Diputacion de Almeria. What can we do next - if anything?

Just answering your question :confused:

[calendula]

Can anyone tell me where the office that deals with basura bills actually is? Thanks

[The Sheriff]

The office is on the same side as BP petrol station, it is the one that has just spent a load of our money having a new posh parking area made at the front for the staff Consorcio Levante you WILL need a translator if you cannot speak perfect Spanish because they can ?