Hot Property News Letter – April 2009

 

 

1: MANY THANKS FOR THE THANK YOU

 

 

We at Hot Property endeavour to provide the best service possible to both buyers & sellers alike, and it is very pleasurable when we receive thanks for our efforts. The owner of HP1125, took the time to write to us, and I quote "Many thanks, this is an excellent service that you offer”  Therefore, in our appreciation of this ‘thank you’ we, would like to thank them by drawing your attention to this excellent property only recently placed on our web site.

 

A 3 bedroom 2 bathroom, charming split level terraced villa on a small urbanisation of nine properties, sharing a communal pool, gardens, large sun terrace & with views to surrounding countryside. The accommodation comprises:- to top access level, an open plan lounge/diner, with direct access to the balcony, shaded by palm trees. Modern American kitchen with oven, hob, extractor, fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, & breakfast bar. Internal staircase down to the lower floor &  three double bedrooms, with fitted wardrobes.   Fully fitted new family bathroom, with bath & shower over. Separate new shower room. The property also benefits from telephone & private parking for 2 vehicles & a private garden area with pedestrian path to the communal pool. Making a fine home, or holiday and rental property, is well priced at 220,000€

 

 

2: VOTING IN UK ELECTIONS WHILST LIVING IN SPAIN

 

 

UK citizens, resident outside the country, including Spain, may vote in national elections provided they have both registered to vote and also ap plied for postal or proxy voting.

 

It is not for Hot Property to ask why foreign nationals living in the UK are provided with a polling station, when British Citizens, living in Spain and elsewhere, are not. Please complain directly to the UK government.

 

This right has come as a result of the "The Representation of the People Act 2000" which affects registration procedures for overseas electors and allows for postal voting.

 

Legislation allows applications to be countersigned by any British Citizen, (for example, a Consular Officer if they are satisfied that the applicant is a British Citizen resident overseas.)

 

Legislation establishes rolling electoral registers. From 16 February 2001, any British Citizen resident overseas can apply for registration at any time during the year. 

 

A British Citizen wishing to apply for registration as an overseas elector has to have been registered on an electoral register at an address in the UK within the 15 years prior to their application. A person too young to have been registered 15 years prior may supply the name of a parent or guardian registered to vote. 

 

Comprehensive information is available from:  The Electoral Commission and its websites: Postal Votes and  About My Vote  

 

Register to Vote

 

An "Application to Register as an Overseas Elector" form must be completed. This can be downloaded from the Electoral Commission website or applied for at the nearest British Consulate General (there may be a small charge). The completed application form must be returned to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for the area in which the voter was last registered as an elector. 

 

To download the Application to Register as an Overseas Elector form:  Click here enter postcode for last UK address and follow Register to vote links

 

To find the relevant Electoral Registration Officer: Click here

 

Further information is available from the ERO in the local government office in the constituency of the last place of residence in the United Kingdom, or from the local British Consulate General.

 

How to Vote from Abroad

 

Registered electors can apply to vote by either post or by proxy. 

 

Postal voting

 

The law allows anyone included in a register of electors to apply for a postal vote, from in or outside of the UK. The postal vote application form must be completed, signed and returned at least 11 working days before the election. 

 

A ballot paper and "declaration of identity" form will be sent to the home address about one week before the election. 

 

All postal votes must arrive at the Returning Officer before the end of voting on the day of the election. They may be delivered either by post or in person (it can be handed in to the Returning Officer or to a polling station in the electoral area on Election Day).

 

Note : If the postal vote is to be sent to an overseas address, ensure that the postal services can deliver it and return it to the relevant election office in the UK within five working days. If it is not certain that this can be achieved, it is strongly recommended to appoint a proxy in the UK to vote by post or in person.

 

To download the Application to Vote by Post form:  Click here enter postcode for last UK address and follow Register to vote links.

 

Voting by proxy

 

A voter unable to vote in person at their polling station may apply to appoint a "proxy" who will vote on their behalf provided they are eligible to vote. A proxy must be at least 18 years’ old and not disqualified to vote in their own right. For a General Election the proxy must be a British, Commonwealth or Irish citizen. No person may act as a proxy for more than two people at the same election, unless those two people are closely related.

 

A voter wishing to use a proxy will need to find someone who is willing to vote for them. The relevant form must be completed, signed and sent to the ERO. The proxy will then be able to vote at the polling station or by post. 

 

If a proxy has been appointed but the voter finds they are able to attend the polling station in person, they may vote providing they (or their proxy) have not been sent a postal ballot paper.

 

A separate application form should be completed for each member of a household who wishes to arrange a postal or proxy vote.

 

To download the Application to Vote by Proxy form:  Click here enter postcode for last UK address and follow Register to vote links

 

Here is a list, in no particular order, of Political Party Web Sites;

 

Labour Party  

 

Conservative Party  

 

Liberal Democrats  

 

Scottish National Party

 

Green Party

 

UK Independence Party  

 

Plaid Cymru The Party of Wales  

 

Monster Raving Loony Party

 

Further Information

 

Electoral Commission

 

Postal Votes

 

About My Vote

 

3: SPANISH POLICE SERVICES

 

 

 

You may have noticed, in your travels, the three different police uniforms. This is because there are three different police services in Spain.

 

The National Police or Policía Nacional (Tel 091) wear either a black uniform and a white shirt or a blue military style uniform. They mainly co ver the urban areas across Spain and their duties include dealing with terrorism, national security, protecting national and international dignitaries and public buildings, combating crime with a national impact, i.e. crime that is spread across different regions. 

 

The Civil Guard or Guardia Civil (Tel 062) wear green uniforms and the cars have a green logo. They are a military force that operates mainly in rural areas and is responsible for dealing with National security, customs, robberies, drug offences, murders and fatal traffic accidents. They also do motorway speed checks.

 

The Local Police or Policía Municipal (Tel 092) report to the local Mayor and wear blue shirts and cover a specific town or city. In general, they deal with traffic control and offences, lost property and local crimes, neighbourhood disputes, and children’s school crossings.   

 

There is also a Civil Protection Service that wear orange uniforms and are to be found at local fiestas, parades and civil events.

 

4: SPANISH AMBULANCE SERVICES

 

 

There are a number of private ambulance services in Spain, as well as a national service.

 

 

Generally, private services are linked to local private hospitals and normally include the hospital name on the side. In addition, there are Red Cross, (Cruiz Roja) ambulances, telephone 902222292 (24 hour number 902100224), which is funded by charity donations and manned by volunteers. As an example of this, Calpe Red Cross has just taken charge of a new 60,000€ ambulance, which was purchased from funds donated by two savings banks, Calpe Rotary Club, Police and Guardia Civil associations. The Red Cross are grateful for the show of confidence in the 70 Calpe volunteers that run the service.

 

 

All ambulances have one thing in common, which is the flashing lights are always amber. So, when you see a white van behind you with flashing amber lights, it could be an ambulance, and not just a builder in a hurry.

 

 

If you have private medical insurance, the policy documents should tell you how to call a private ambulance and which company they use.

 

 

Any doctor’s surgery will call an ambulance for you, or call the emergency services on your behalf.

 

 

If you are on the Spanish Social Security System then telephone 061, or the number on the Social Services Card.

 

 

If in doubt for police, fire or ambulance, either telephone the National emergency number

 

 

5: PETS IN SPAIN-TICK

 

 

 

 

Further to our last news letter, where we touched on bringing your pet to Spain, this month we are covering the parasite, commonly known as "Tick”, which is common throughout Europe, including England.

 

Normally, it is easier for your pet to pick up ticks in areas with vegetation, shrubs or plants in general and the ticks actually "wait” to jump onto an animal, or even a person.

 

 

Ticks are visible to the naked eye, especially when they are attached and have ingested blood, and the transmission of diseases occurs during this period. The female then abandons the host and lays her eggs on the ground. The larvae feed on dogs, cats and other small mammals. The next stage is the nymphs, small adults that are not yet able to reproduce. They can also transmit diseases, although it should be remembered that ticks can be infectious in all their life phases.

 

 

The main diseases that are transmitted are Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis, and this is done by the transference of parasites of micro-organisms from an infected animal to a healthy one.

 

 

Babesiosis is a parasitic disease, produced by a microscopic protozoan, that mainly affects dogs and can in severe cases cause death. The symptoms are  the animal becomes apathetic and perhaps will also have a high fever, tiredness and red urine. The presence of these symptoms calls for professional care.

 

 

Ticks can transmit babesiosis as well as other diseases to people through their bite.

 

 

If you see a tick attached to the animal, then it should be removed, and the correct implement for this procedure can be purchased from a veterinary surgery, where the correct method of removal will be explained. It is important that the head is not left in the animal as this can cause an infection. Some vets recommend smothering the tick with Vaseline as it will be unable to breath and will start to remove its self. Once removed the tick should be killed by squashing in a paper tissue or similar.

 

 

Ehrlichosis is also a parasitic disease that mainly affects dogs and may even cause death. A correct diagnosis can only really be done by a vet, although the most common symptoms are apathy, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite and finally anaemia. If detected, it should be treated quickly before it reaches the chronic phase.

 

 

Prevention . The most important step is to reduce the number of tick bites and a good repellent, such as "Frontline” or "Advocat” or "Advantage” is a basic requirement and should be applied to the animal every month.

 

 

Not only will one of these products reduce the number of bites, but also reduce the risk of transmission, as well as killing the tick as an adult or during the egg stage.

 

 

You should ask your vet to advise on the correct product for your pet.

 

 

 

This newsletter is intended as a guide and to be informative and helpful in the process of searching for and purchasing a property in Spain. Total accuracy cannot be guaranteed and in all legal, fiscal and other matters a fully qualified professional should be consulted. Reproduction of any part of this newsletter is not permitted without written permission.