Letters to the Editor

Dear Peter, From Sandra Eagles
Dear Peter,
I was very pleased to see from the April edition, (EU Corner)that at last someone is trying to take the mystique out of changing an imported vehicle licence plate to a Spanish one.
As someone who has for some time been working with perplexed English people, trying to keep within the law I would just like to add a few more comments.


 There is a vital step before number 1 mentioned in the April article, and that is to arrange for an Engineer, appointed by the College of Engineers, to inspect the vehicle and to produce a report which then leads to production of the green technical specification.  This specification is then used for the life of the vehicle, whilst under a Spanish registration, for ITV (MOT) purposes and without it, Trafico will not allow one to proceed to the new Spanish plates.  So before obtaining form 576 it is necessary to get the report, to go to the ITV station to book the car in for two inspections.  The first is to enable the production of the green specification, and the   other is for the MOT, to ensure that the vehicle passes and is considered to be roadworthy.
Obtaining form 576 is not as straightforward as it might seem, due to constantly changing legislation.  Up until recently you had to register for a certificate from Hacienda in order to down-load it.
It is also important to bear in mind that it will be necessary to register the car for the local road tax and the relevant local town hall, and at the same time obtain a certificado de empadronamiento for Trafico to give them the confidence of knowing where to send any future parking fines!
Also it is worth mentioning for those of a nervous disposition, that in the interim, and once the car has been booked into the ITV station (there is a waiting list at present) it is possible to apply for the temporary green number plates – you may have seen an increase in these little fashion accessories over the past few weeks, which will provide a fein-its period.
I wish I could say that it is an easy process but it is not, and without Spanish it is virtually impossible.  I wish everyone struggling with the situation at present all the luck in the world, but sometimes you can make your own luck - so if in doubt I would always advise going to the professionals, someone like myself or your gestor.
Kind regards, Sandra Eagles
 
Dear Peter, From Jo Little
Dear Peter, Thank you for advertising for sale our Mercedes 300D classic estate, it has been sold thanks to The Islander. Around Easter we shall put our windmill for sale, it is located about 12 mins drive from the harbour of Porto Colom, same distance from golf. There is ample space for boat storage, grounds of 9,000+ mtres surrounds the house, which including the annex has 5 double bedrooms/4 bathrooms, garage for 3 cars and large outbuilding, plus, lovely open views to the mountain of San Salvador. Could I advertise it in The Islander, later in the year? Best wishes Jo Little.
 
Dear Peter, by John Rule

I believe your readers would be interested in the possible ramifications of the new 30 year concessions on offer from the local government.


Superficially, the offer of 30 more years looks attractive, and indeed to some clubs that are run by the members it probably is- accepting that the costs will be considerably increased.

However current berth owners in all marinas should be aware of the possible catastrophic consequences of accepting the new 30 year concessions that MUST accept the contents of ley 10/2005- Ley de Costas.

It is clear enough that the marinas are obliged to adapt their infrastructures and services to the minimum established by the Law and pay the new taxes set by the Government.

What may not be so clear however, are the rights of current berth owners and their future under the new ley 10/2005.

I refer to article 64 of ley 10/2005:-
“The authorisation of the use of a mooring is of a personal nature and non-transferable, for a single title holder and for a specific boat”.

I would remind readers that following the introduction of the new concession to Club de Vela in Andratx previous berth owners were informed that their ownership was now null and void.

Are the alarm bells ringing? They should be!
Yours,
John Rule
Sol de Mallorca
 
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