How do I transfer the water contract into my name with AMJASA?

Contact AMJASA (phone 965 79 01 62, email amjasa@amjasa.com) with your NIE, escritura or nota simple, bank details and the previous owner's last bill if available. The transfer is normally completed in a single visit or call.

Can I register on the padrón before utilities are transferred into my name?

Yes. Your escritura (title deed) is accepted as proof of address for padrón registration, even before utility accounts have been switched. This is the standard route immediately after completion.

The New Owner's Checklist for Jávea: Padrón, IBI, Water and Waste Registration Explained

You have just collected the keys to your Jávea property. The notary's table is behind you, the escritura is signed, and the excitement is real — but before you open that first bottle of cava, there are four administrative steps that will make your ownership official across every local authority that needs to know about it.

None of these tasks is complicated or expensive. Most can be completed within a fortnight of completion, and the order below is the most practical sequence to follow.

1. Register on the Padrón (Empadronamiento)

The padrón municipal de habitantes is the official municipal census — Spain's way of knowing who lives where. Registration is compulsory for anyone intending to spend more than six months of the year in Jávea. Even if you plan to use the property as a holiday home and fall short of that threshold, registering is strongly recommended: you will need a current certificado de empadronamiento to buy or sell a car in Spain, to enrol children in local schools, to apply for a health card, and for a growing list of other official purposes.

Where to go: The Public Attention Office at Portal del Clot (Avinguda de l'Amistat, 2), open Monday to Friday, 09:00–14:00. Some procedures can also be initiated at the Xàbia Ajuntament (town hall).

Documents to bring:

Passport (original plus photocopy)
Proof of the property address — any one of: your escritura, a recent utility bill in your name, or, if the bill is not yet in your name, a signed autorización de empadronamiento from the registered occupant

On the day, you will typically receive a volante de empadronamiento (a temporary certificate) while the full certificado is processed. The certificate is valid for three months for official use, so request a fresh one each time you need it.

EU citizens must renew their registration every five years; non-EU nationals every two years.

2. SUMA and Your Annual IBI Bill

IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) is Spain's annual council tax on property. In Alicante province it is collected and administered by SUMA, the provincial tax agency.

The good news: in most cases the transfer of IBI to your name happens automatically. When your notary registers the deed with the Land Registry and the cadastral reference (referencia catastral) is included in the escritura — as it almost always is — SUMA is notified directly. No action is required from you.

When you do need to act: If the cadastral reference was missing from your deed, you must submit Form 900D (Declaration of Cadastral Alterations) within two months of purchase. This can be done online via the Suma Virtual Office (suma.es), in person at any Suma office, or by post. Documents required: copy of your NIE, copy of the most recent IBI receipt, and a copy of the escritura (copia simple).

Jávea's IBI voluntary payment period runs from 8 August to 24 October each year. Setting up a direct debit through SUMA is straightforward and means you will never miss the deadline. Call 965 292 000 (Monday–Friday 08:00–21:00, Saturday 10:00–14:00) or use the SUMA online office at suma.es to verify your registration and set up payment.

3. The Waste Collection Tax (Tasa de Residuos)

Since 2025, Jávea has billed its waste management tax as a separate annual charge, following a national requirement under Spain's Ley de Residuos (Law 7/2022) that municipalities must ring-fence waste costs. Previously this was folded into the IBI bill; it is now its own line — and Jávea has reduced IBI slightly to compensate.

The annual rate for a standard household is approximately €125, with higher rates for larger properties. Residents registered on the padrón may qualify for a reduced rate.

Payment falls in the first voluntary period: 14 March to 30 May. You can pay via the Xàbia virtual tax portal at xabiagt.com, through Banco Sabadell, Banco Santander or Cajamar, or in person at Xàbia Gestió Tributària, Carrer Major 15 (this is Jávea's local tax office, distinct from SUMA, which handles province-wide taxes). Setting up a direct debit here will automate future payments.

If you are a new owner and have not yet received a notification, contact Xàbia Gestió Tributària directly to ensure your details are on the system.

4. Water Supply — Transferring Your AMJASA Account

Jávea's water is supplied by AMJASA (Aguas Municipales de Jávea, S.A.U.), a publicly owned municipal company that has served the town since 1977. Jávea is notably one of the few towns in the Marina Alta comarca with a fully secure water supply.

After completion, you need to transfer the water contract to your name (the alta or change of titulario). Contact AMJASA directly:

Address: Camí Cabanes, 88, 03730 Xàbia
Phone: 965 79 01 62
Email: [email protected]

Bring your NIE, the escritura or nota simple, your bank account details for direct debit, and the previous occupant's last bill if available. The transfer is typically straightforward and can be completed in a single visit.

Electricity and Gas

For mains electricity and gas you deal with your chosen private supplier — Iberdrola, Endesa, Naturgy and others all operate in the area. Your solicitor or property manager will usually have started this process; if not, call your chosen supplier with your NIE, property address and the supply meter reference (CUPS number from the previous bill).

Putting It All Together

Running through all four registrations in the fortnight after completion means your name is correctly recorded everywhere that matters — the municipal census, the provincial tax authority, the local water company and Jávea's own tax office. After that, the only admin you will need to think about is setting a reminder for each annual payment date: August for IBI, March for waste. Everything else is simply part of life as a Jávea property owner.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to register on the padrón if I only use the property for holidays? Registration on the padrón is legally required for anyone residing in Spain for more than six months per year. If you spend less than six months, it is optional — but strongly recommended, as it unlocks access to public health services, enables official procedures, and is needed if you ever register a vehicle in Spain.

Will SUMA automatically update IBI to my name after I buy? Yes, in most cases. If the escritura includes the correct cadastral reference (referencia catastral), the notary and Land Registry notify SUMA automatically. Check your details on suma.es a few weeks after completion to confirm the transfer has gone through.

How much is the annual waste collection tax in Jávea? Around €125 per year for a standard household, billed as a standalone charge since 2025. Larger properties pay more. Residents on the padrón may qualify for a reduction. The payment window is mid-March to late May.

How do I transfer the water contract into my name? Contact AMJASA (phone 965 79 01 62, email [email protected]) with your NIE, the escritura or nota simple, your bank details and, if possible, the previous owner's last bill. The process is normally completed in a single visit or contact.

What is the difference between SUMA and Xàbia Gestió Tributària? SUMA is the Alicante provincial tax agency and manages IBI province-wide. Xàbia Gestió Tributària (xabiagt.com, Carrer Major 15) is Jávea's own local tax office and handles municipal charges such as the waste tax and vehicle taxes. You will need to deal with both — but each has a clear remit.

Can I register on the padrón before utilities are in my name? Yes. You can use your escritura as proof of address even before utilities have been transferred. This is the most common route immediately after completion.