How the consumption of supplies works in Spain

In Spain, the consumption and supplies consist of Water, Electricity, Gas and Internet. These supplies are provided by large companies working at global level (Water) and national or international level (Electricity, Gas and Internet).

Except for the Internet which has a fixed price, the expenditure on water, electricity and gas has a variable cost. It is important to keep in mind that the consumption depends on the renter’s use. Responsible consumption, thinking about the environment, leads to saving large amounts of water, electricity and gas. However, leaving the heating switched on overnight or when the flat is empty is an act of great irresponsibility that will entail an increase in budget expenditure.

Companies send the bills monthly (internet), every two months (electricity and gas) or every three months (water). These bills generally have a fixed portion linked to the service availability and a variable portion linked to the consumption, measured on m3 for the water/gas and on Kw/h for the electricity.

The estimated average consumption in Santander for a flat with 3 renters is about 180 per month. It is important to keep in mind that during the winter months this amount is higher than in the summer because of an increase in gas and electricity consumption for the heater. During the summer, although energy consumption increases, the average cost decreases. For a flat with one renter the consumption is about 130€, with two renters about 160€ and with four renters about 210€.

Other costs linked to the flat consist of maintenance fee paid to the residents committee and home insurance (both included in the rent). Furthermore, there is a waste disposal service, included in the water bill.

What do renters have to pay

Service costs in the rented flat, such as water supplies, electricity, gas, internet, or others are not included in the rent. Renters have to pay all the consumption produced in the flat. These expenses will be assumed by the renters proportionately to the number of renters and to their periods of stay.

The home insurance and the community expenses of the building are not in this section because they are included in the rent.

Example:

If during the month of November, the total cost of consumption per day is about 6€, if three renters have been here for the whole month they have to pay 3€ per day each, this is to say, 60€ for the whole month.

If a renter is not here for the whole month, even just for 15 days, the proportions change.

It must be agreed to an expenditure strategy between the renters, choosing if they want to have a lower cost of living, use of heater, etc. Emancipia is not responsible for the improper use of the supply equipment or for the disagreements between the renters.

How to pay the consumption

Each month, together with the income, the renter will pay to Emancipia an advance for the consumption. This amount varies depending on the number of rooms:

With the passing of the months, the consumption bills will arrive. Once all the bills of the month have arrived (Water, Electricity, Gas and Internet ) a balance will be made between the costs of the bills and the renters’ advances. In the next rent payment, the renter will see a “Consumption compensation” written in the concept which will indicate to Emancipia if the company has to return money or if, on the contrary, the renter has to pay the difference.

Example:

Example of a list of bills of a renter who has been in a 3-room flat during one semester:

How to do the final operating costs settlement

During the stay, together with the rent payment, the renter will realize advances linked to the consumption expenses. When the bills of the companies arrive, a compensation month by month is made between the advances and the produced costs. In order to make the balance between the advances that you have continued to pay and what you still have to pay for, the renter can chose between these two options:

A) Real consumption: Consumption balance reflecting the real consumption made by the renter.
The renter will only pay for his own consumption. This is why, during the liquidation process (return of the deposit), Emancipia will retain 100€. When all the outstanding bills arrive (usually they do not take more than 90 days) a balance will be made between the renters’ advances, these 100€ and the outstanding amount (whether in favour or otherwise) linked to the real consumption cost.

B) Estimated consumption: Balance of consumption through a cost consumption’s estimation.

In order to estimate consumption costs that the renter has still to pay for, we use an estimation table. Table amounts are always higher than the general consumption average of an accommodation. With these amounts we calculate the estimated cost for the days for which we still do not have utility bills.

Cost Estimation table for consumption

How much do I have to pay for short stays

Service costs in the rented flat, such as water supplies, electricity, gas, internet, or others are not included in the rent. Renters have to pay all the consumption produced in the flat. These expenses will be assumed by the renters proportionately to the number of renters and to their periods of stay.

The home insurance and the community expenses of the building are not in this section because they are included in the rent.

During short stays, a fixed daily amount has to be paid for supplies consumption spending. This amount includes water, electricity, gas and internet.

Cost estimation table for consumption: