We have a house in Tuscany and spend

08/31/2017 - 02:46

We have a house in Tuscany and spend four months of the year here. As non residents we pay more for our utility bills. Can anyone confirm that this is the case in the UK with Italian non residents? My Surrey MP informs that there is no reason why we should be paying more.

Topic

Property

Comment

Electricity - yes there is a higher rate for 'foreigners' - don't think so for water or gas.

[Things may have changed when they fiddled around with (increased) leccie prices recently, but I don't think so]

If you look at any UK bill/site it will say if there is a different rate for none residents. Not looked at one for a while, but I'm pretty sure there is not. Then again, if they have a house in the UK they are resident, albeit not likely for tax etc. I doubt your MP really knows and probably just thinks it should be equal in the EU. They could well be right, but I suspect it would have to be challenged in the EU courts to find out. Perhaps a look on the EU web site here to see if you can raise a query about it. From what I've looked at a while back there is not much difference in cost to make it that worthwhile.

Isn't the issue that the law has to be applicable to everyone and not discriminate against non-Italians? It isn't discriminatory because the higher rates apply to non-residents whether Italian or English. An Italian can only be resident in 1 place and pays the higher rate if he has a second home.

I Think Maurice hit the nail on the head and reminded me that's exactly what some else quoted on another forum.

Perhaps we should introduce it in the UK post Brexit?

Yes, Maurice, that makes sense, thank you for all input. Just a sudden thought: we are both pensioners and in the UK our prescriptions are free. Anyone know if this is the case here? I have been paying for mine; What would be the case of a non resident, pensioner, getting amprescription?

Same answer I guess for a pensioner (state), if the Italians get free prescriptions in the same circumstances, then you can. However it's a complex area that most EU countries have chopped and changed in recent years (including the UK and I suspect being none resident you will not qualify. Besides which I'm not sure Italians here get free prescriptions unless on account of income!

Thank you, I will ask some local people in our village, better still, I will enquire at the chemist!

It all comes down to whether you are resident or not.

It all comes down to whether you are resident or not. if you are not - ie on holiday, then you wont get the tax breaks and benefits of someone who lives here/pays tax here. Residents pay less for their electricity and more for their rubbish collection. You will pay more IMU/Council tax, because it is not your principal residence.

Thank you Modicase; I still wonder whether the same applies to non residents with a second home in the UK, do they pay higher rates for their utility bills or taxes for that matter. Does anyone know the answer to this part of my query? Thanks!

Not long ago, in the UK, you paid less council tax (or whatever it was called then) on your second home on the basis that you don't consume the services twice. I think the reduction varied from council to council. Now, I believe, you pay the same tax as for your main home; I think on the basis that if you are wealthy enough to have a second home you don't deserve a discount. Energy prices are identical for second homes.This is still irrelevant. Italians are treated the same as foreigners. If it's your first home (in the case of a non-Italian this means declaring yourself resident and being subject to Italian taxes) you don't pay IMU and you pay lower energy bills. An Italian with a second home pays the same as a non-Italian who isn't resident

Stamp Duty - 2nd Property in UKNowadays, if you already own a property in UK, there is an automatic 3% addition to the rate of Stamp Duty payable on the purchase price on a second home.

Looking at EON T&C here, the answer is no! There is no "other" tariff for UK people or others. Not that it makes any difference that there is an "others" tariff here in Italy, as it's the same for Italians and "others" if it is not their main home.