This is information for "gas, water & electricity" in Spain:

1)Gas: In villages there will not be gas pipes mainly, and main cities are working now on a gas pipe network, only it is slow work as it means cutting off streets, etc. The Butano gas bottles are not actually delivered at home, but a truck will do the round of the town, passing by each neighbourhood at specific times and days, and you just lean on your window and call out your needs or go downstairs to ask for a bottle. The man will get it to your apartment for you and pick the empty one, and after paying him it is customary to give him a tip, like twenty or fifty cents. In Repsol petrol station there is always a supply of bottles for those who can't be at home when the gas man passes by. Always remember to keep the bottles, full or empty, in a secure place and never under the sun.

New properties have usually everything electric. But older properties, when changing hands, need to have the gas installation checked out by a technician from Repsol and then you can establish a maintenance contract with them. By law, apart from being in perfect working order, there must be a grill near the ceiling and another at floor level to allow air circulation, plus the boiler has to have a pipe on the top leading to the outside. Failing any of this, the technician will refuse to give a certificate, so no maintenance contract can't be drawn, plus the natural danger of letting the fumes accumulate in the room.


2)Electricity: the phone number for Endesa customer service is 902 509 509 and they have got English speaking staff. New rules dictate that the main switchcase has to have a power control device installed, which is to the cost of the contract holder, therefore right now all old properties are being checked by technicians as most of them don't have this. The Endesa technician will bring the device when doing the inspection and if asked install it. Also, a new regulation has come out by which the direct debit bank account holder can only be the contract holder: therefore, for rented apartments, either the contract is changed to the tenant (having to pay again for the service) and then they can give their bank details; or the contract stays in the name of the owner, the direct debit is cancelled and the tenant pays physically at the bank; or else the owner pays for the bill and then claims the amount to the tenant.

For setting up a contract you need to bring to the Endesa local office: copy of NIE, copy of Deeds or rental contract and details for the direct debit and contact person, and in the case of second hand properties an old electricity bill to show the contract number for the change of holder. A technician will then pass by the property between one to five working days counting from the following day of the setting up, calling the contact person to inform of the day and time to set up the meter, as somebody needs to be in the apartment.


3)Water: if buying a new property (especially if it is a villa or townhouse) ask if the conecction between the main pipe and the supply pipe leading to the house has been made by the developer, otherwise the owner must run with the costs. The documents to bring to the local water offices will be the same, also an old water bill for second hand properties. Supply will be given between 24 to 48 hours to count from the contract setting up date. Remember that the main supply key inside the apartment might be turned off for security reasons, check it is on before calling a plumber or the water office to ask why is there no supply.

Ask if the bills can be posted to your usual address instead of to the apartment. Also, Endesa has got web access for bills, you just need to register. And keep your bank account topped up to meet the bills or the supply will be cut off inmediately, also when there are unpaid bills they must be paid at the bank, and the direct debit details need to be given again because they get deleted from the file.