Local charges in Spain and who pays them

Terms used

• IBI — The IBI is the yearly local property tax charged on a property, legally owed by the owner.
• Padrón — The padrón is the town hall's register of residents; you register at the address where you live.
• Administrador de fincas — The administrador de fincas is the professional who manages a building's shared accounts and community fees.
• Vado — A vado is a town licence that lets vehicles cross the pavement to a garage or private entrance.

Key rules

• IBI: The owner owes the IBI; you pay it only if the lease says so in writing with the annual amount.
• Community fees: Ordinary fees pass to you only if the lease says so in writing, and special levies stay with the owner unless agreed otherwise.
• Rubbish charge: The town hall bills it, normally to the owner, and some towns have no such charge.
• Parking permit: Only people registered on the padrón in the regulated zone can get a resident permit.

Who pays what

The owner is the legal payer of the main local charges. You, as a tenant, pay one only if your lease says so. Read the lease for these points before you sign.

IBI

The owner owes the IBI. You pay it only if the lease says so in writing and states the annual amount at signing. Without that clause, the owner pays. If the lease does include it, later increases can pass to you too. Check the amount written in the lease against the owner's latest bill.

Community fees

The fee (cuota de comunidad) pays for the building's shared costs. The owner is liable to the community. Ordinary fees pass to you only if the lease says so in writing. Special levies (derramas) for big works stay with the owner unless you agreed otherwise.

In practice many leases make the tenant pay the ordinary fee, or include it in the rent. Ask which applies and get it written down.

The amount depends on the building. Older blocks without a lift charge the least. A lift, concierge or central heating raises it. Pool, gardens and security raise it most. Ask the owner or the building's administrador de fincas for the current figure and the last budget.

Rubbish charge

The tasa de basuras is a town hall charge. The town hall or its tax agency bills it, normally to the owner. Depending on the town, it comes once a year, or every two, three or six months, often by direct debit. Some towns add it to the water bill. Some towns have no such charge.

It is separate from rent and utilities unless the lease passes it to you. If your lease does, ask the owner to send you each bill.

Resident parking permits

In regulated parking zones (ORA, SER and similar), people registered on the padrón at an address in the zone can get a resident permit. It lets you park in blue or green bays at a low rate or for longer periods. Non-residents do not qualify.

Apply at the town hall, the parking operator's office or online. The documents you need are in the list below. Cost is set by each town. Some are free, many charge roughly 10 to 50 euros a year, and some cities charge a small monthly fee. Larger cities may price by vehicle emissions. Check your town's rules before you buy a car or register.

Vado

A vado is a licence to cross the pavement to a garage or private entrance. The holder, normally the owner or the community, pays an annual fee set by the town. If your rented garage has one, ask the owner who pays.

What to do before you sign

• Ask for the last IBI bill, the community budget and the rubbish bill.
• Check which of these the lease puts on you, and that the IBI amount is written in.
• Fees and permit rules vary by town, so confirm local details with your town hall.

Documents you need

Documents for a resident parking permit

• Proof you are on the padrón (the town hall's residents' register) at an address inside the regulated parking zone.

• The vehicle's permiso de circulación (registration document) in your name. If the vehicle is not in your name, bring proof you use it, such as a lease or a company car letter.

• A valid ITV certificate (the vehicle's roadworthiness inspection).

• Proof that the vehicle is insured.

• Proof that the vehicle tax is paid. Only some towns ask for this.

Quick answers on community fees, rubbish charge and parking permits

Where does the rubbish charge bill arrive and how often?

The rubbish charge (tasa de basuras) is billed by the town hall or its tax agency, normally to the property owner. It can be annual, bimonthly, quarterly or semi-annual, often by direct debit.

Is the rubbish charge part of my rent or utilities?

No, the rubbish charge is separate from rent and utilities unless your lease passes it to you. If the bill reaches you, check the lease before paying and ask the owner if it is not mentioned.

Who can get a resident parking permit in a regulated zone?

You can get a resident permit if you are registered on the padrón (town register) at an address in the zone and own or use a vehicle. Non-residents do not qualify. Expect to show the vehicle's registration document in your name or proof of use, such as a lease or company car, plus valid ITV (roadworthiness check) and insurance.

How much does a resident parking permit cost?

Costs range from free to roughly 10 to 50 euros a year in many towns, and some cities charge a small monthly fee. Larger cities may charge by vehicle emissions.