El crisis.

This is the time of the year that we receive our annual 'rates' bill from the council.  Here it is called   'el Impuesto de Bienes Inmuebles'  - a big title but a much smaller price than we ever paid back in England.

We usually joke when the bill comes that we'll have to watch what we spend this month - a bit tongue in cheek when the amount has been around 16 euros - yes, for the year.  OK, no streetlights as far as our house yet,  we have to take the rubbish to the bins when we go out but so does everyone, although we have slightly further to go.  But at  least the bins are emptied alternate days unlike some places!

But this year,  due to el crisis,  everyone is suffering and the  ayuntamientos  are having to find extra cash  from people and places so the IBI has gone up.  According to their website the increase would be up to 26%,  the first  revisión  for 10 years,  but when the bill came it was 100%  increase.  Yup, 32.84 this year.  Definitely a belt tightening month.