Recent Feedback
I am a British National living in Malta since 2008. When I took tenancy of my rental property in July 2008 I contacted the Electricity and water service to have the bill put into my name and submitted forms which also asked for the names and ID numbers (Maltese ID cards that we all hold) of those living in the house. Every bill we receive has always been billed as zero residents so we are paying a domestic rate which is 30-40% more than a Maltese Citizen. I don't know where I satnd legally
Already Tried: I have contacted the Office of the Prime Minister with no reply. I have contacted the EU MP's with no reply. I have signed and submitted a petition to the EU with no answer. I have contacted the Leader of the opposition party who immediately gave me a meeting to discuss the issue and has told me that we should be treated exactly the same as Maltese citizens but the Utility Company won't listen
Dear customer,
Thank you for your inquire.
You are completely right. EU law considers freedom of movement of persons as one of its major principles. These implies that all the Member States'institutions and all the companies who work in the Member States are obliged to treat other Member States' nationals who reside in that Country as they treat their own nationals.
Since the Maltese electricity company is breaking this primary rule, I suggest you to send them a registered letter for default action. Here, you should declare that If they don't reimburse you within a fixed time the unlawful amount and if they do not stop this practice, you will bring the case into Court.
If they do not respect this invitation, you should contact a Maltese lawyer who can best take care of your actions.
I hope this helps. If you are happy with my service, please, do not hesitate to rate positively my answer so that I can be compensated for my service.
Otherwise, I remain at your complete disposal should you need any further information.
Best,
Tiziana
The problem is that as soon as I was made aware of the different tariffs for Non Maltese Citizens, I started calculating my bills via their online calculator and refused to pay anymore than I was due. They in turn added service charges on the unpaid amounts which have amounted over 4 years and are now threatening suspension if we do not pay it in full.I went again this morning to their offices and this time I was told that the bills will not be backdated and that they only follow the rules set out by the Government.
Ok. Perfect.
You should then mention this in the letter for default action.You did nothing wrong.
Also, what they say that they are following the national rules is completely meaningless as EU law is superior to national law.
Nonetheless, I suggest you to contact a lawyer. You could find a specilised one by contacting a consumers' association.
Dear XXXXXXXX,
I hope my answer was helpful. If you are happy with my service, please, do not hesitate to rate positively my answer so that I can be compensated for my job.
Dear XXXXXXXX, I hope my answer was helpful. If you are happy with my service, please, do not hesitate to rate positively my answer so that I can be compensated for my service without any extra charge for you with the amount you have already deposited.Otherwise, I remain at your complete disposal should you need any further information.Best,Tiziana
Dear customer,I hope my answer was of assistance to you. I would be very grateful if you could rate it with at least three stars so that I can get paid for my job with the amount you have already deposited.I remain at your complete disposal should you need any further information.I look forward to hearing from you.Best,Tiziana