Help re. Spanish Property tax demand for property which isn't mine!!

fierydormouse

Hello folks,

I have a very odd problem and I am really stuck what to do or who to approach for help - I thought I'd try here as usually someone here can help with most things (or at least point me in the right direction!)

On Friday I received a UK "signed for" envelope containing a demand for nearly 2000 EUROS in Spanish "Property Tax" - have never owned or rented any property in Spain. Immediately I thought it was a scam but when I looked into it further I changed my mind.

The letter is very clearly addressed to me, but there were several bills enclosed (in Spanish of course so therefore not meaning a lot to me) with my FATHER'S name on (I am married so this is not the same surname as me) and an address in Spain that I didn't recognise.

The letter states that I (not my father, although the bills are in his name) am a registered debtor to a Spanish town council (a town by the way that I had never even heard of), that I had to pay within 15 days or enforcement proceedings against me would commence seizure of my assets etc, and that this was being sent to me "despite previous reminders" (I have never heard anything about this before). The letter even had the nerve to suggest I set up a direct debit to avoid this kind of mess in the future - a direct debit for a debt which has absolutely nothing to do with me!!

By the way, my father is alive and well, so I certainly haven't inherited anything from him.

I quizzed my mum and dad of course as to what this is about. Ten years ago they bought 2 flats in Spain apparently. It was all a hideous mistake, they couldn't keep up with the mortgage and assumed they were repossessed by the bank. (I realise without confirmation this was a rather rash assumption on their part, but there we go). They moved away from Spain, but crucially a forwarding address was left with the Spanish property management company. So they could have been easily contacted. However, they never heard any more about the whole sorry affair.

The thing is, the dates on these bills appear to be from 2003 until 2009. So to me this implies they may still own the property. But how come the bank never got in touch with them? (and what happened to 2001? 2002?)

However, and here is the bit I am livid about - why are the Spanish authorities writing to ME? And how did they get my address to do so? I was not married ten years ago and I didn't live in this house - so I would have had a different surname and address back then. It did not come to my dad "care of" me at my address or anything like that - it is clearly addressed to me, but this debt, even if my parents are liable for it (which I am not convinced they are) has nothing to do with me! Yet they are threatening ME with hell and damnation, not my Dad!

I am doubly worried as I am due, by complete coincidence, to go to Tenerife on hols next month. Right now I have visions of being hauled off in handcuffs at immigration!

I have written and faxed straight back in response to this letter, basically saying what do they think they're playing at demanding money off me for something which is so blatantly nothing to do with me, that I've never owned anything in Spain, that I won't be paying them a penny, won't hesitate to get legal advice if they continue to harrass me etc etc. (I can't really afford to appoint a lawyer however )

Anyone ever been in a similar situation???

(And huge apologies if I am posting this in the wrong place).

All the best xxx

poolboy

o dear!! I live in Spain so would:

enquire at property registration office where flats are who owns them. They are called Registro de propiedades & each search is c 5e. they may be online, the rates depts is - look at catastral.ie or something similar.

that will confirm ownership. if they are still in yr dads name, compare mortgage with sales value - its theirs.

looks like you are now on the taxmans radar so they won't let go.

when you are in T go to a SUMA office if they have them, quote yr passport no & ask them what debt is owed.

get yourself a good solicitor in spain to clear yr name or they will be after you for ages.

Trollfever

Contacts for advice about Spanish property can be found here:

http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/freedomofinformation/technical/TechnicalManual/Ch25-36/Chapter31/part3/part7/part_7.htm

getmore4less

Is there any reason not to track down these places and find out if they still exist and is anyone living in them?

I guess an abandoned property(must be a fare few owned by non residents around the world) makes a good place to set up home or a rental business on the sly.

missile

It seems like your father has done a runner owing debts in spain. Quite a few brits do this and think they will get away with it. The spanish authorities can and do pursue the debts. If I were you I would send them your fathers address and let him deal with the mess he has caused.

Be warned they have your name and address and if they have your passport number, you could be arrested at customs.

B.E.N

To the OP:

You mentioned that you have a different name to your Parents owing to Marriage...is the name on the demand letter the same one that is on your Passport?

If so, I wouldn't, personally, travel to Tenerife (maybe this is being over-cautious, but..).


Also, it may be worth talking to your parents a bit more - it seems very odd that your name has got involved - could they have put something through in your name for any reason? Tax, perhaps?

donny909

Would the Spanish authorities not have been able to trace her via the electrol regester and other public records?.

If so reguardless of what the father has said why would they have been going after her rather than the original owner\mortgagee, her dad?.

Do as said refer them to the father instead or at the very least enquire why they are billing her?.

puddy

i read this yesterday but really didnt know what to say. i find it very odd and really can only conclude that your parents have somehow given your name in connection to this property when they absconded. if it was me, i wouldnt contact the spanish authorities initially, i would contact the police in this country and the spanish embassy. you will need an interpreter etc, its all going to cost money

is there some mad spanish law that makes the offspring of absconded debtors responsible for someones debts??

missile

puddy wrote: »

is there some mad spanish law that makes the offspring of absconded debtors responsible for someones debts??

Spanish authorities are getting more agressive in tracing those brits who do a runner. :T

They use similar methods as any UK company would when trying to trace and recover a debt. It would appear that OP's father has been successful in keeping his head down and for whatever reason their enquiries have lead them to the OP. She may get letters from UK debt collection agencies and ultimately it could go to court.:(

puddy

but how come, its nothing to do with her, like i said, i can only think that the father has given her name in connection to it, was she a guarantor or something

FraudBuster

puddy wrote: »

but how come, its nothing to do with her, like i said, i can only think that the father has given her name in connection to it, was she a guarantor or something

Spanish law is different to English law.
Speak to a Spanish property and inheritance lawyer.