Refuse collection charges - Dept 79

[ctc]

Hi, we own a maison secondaire in Deux Sevres.  When we brought the property there was a bin directly outside which was emptied by SMC. The bin was removed last year (without our consultation) and now we have to dispose of any rubbish in the communal bin in our hamlet (we have to drive to this).  We are still receiving bills from the local Treasury requesting us to pay 89 Euros x 2 payments, but don't see what we are paying for.  We have written to both SMC & the Treasury requesting a breakdown of the payment but have not received a response - our French is not so good, so perhaps they don't  understand us!  If we don't pay the Treasury (we have received an urgent payment bill) will we be blacklisted?  Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated as we have been trying to sort this our for a year.

[BJSLIV]

Virtually all communes now levy a separate charge for the disposal of rubbish.

For holiday homes it is often a fixed charge based on a notional two residents. If the house is occupied all the year then it can be based on the number of occupants. In some other areas the charge is based on the taxable value of the property either way you have to pay.

The bin outside your house was probably removed as part of the widespread drive to reduce costs, but you are still benfiting from the local waste disposal service.

If you don't pay you will simply receive further bills with surcharges. If you delay payment even longer the money will just be taken from your bank account with even more charges added.

 

 

[Pre Monier]

We had a similar problem a few years ago so we wrote a letter to the local refuse office explaining the situation, our bill was reduced and our bin returned.    It is always worth a try.

Glynis

[Tony the Turner]

Think yourself lucky. In the Orne (61), we get charged €104 as a residence secondaire, the permanent residents only pay  two thirds of this!   The collection charges are fixed by the commune so presumably the Maire knows which side to favour - we can't vote!