Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Does anyone know what exactly we're paying for our water , we have a list which shows that one month we have to pay a 20TL + 8.34. TL, the next month we have to pay 8.34TL, these costs are for rubbish collection, pest control etc, that's is quite acceptable and we,ve paid that up to date. Yet when we went to top up the water card with 25TL we were told, no, it's 50TL, when we asked why we were told it's tax, what tax, when was this introduced.
Working on that I have worked out that under the old system where we paid for 10 tons of water per month plus all the other charges the annual cost was about 350TL.
Under the new system it works out at 220 TL for charges plus 300TL for 25TL of water per month, total 550 TL, an increase of 200 TL per annum.
If then we are being asked to also pay 50 instead of 25 to top up the card this then adds another 300 TL per year to the bill bringing it to 850 TL per annum, surely this can't be right, are these charges for everyone or just the ex pat community.
People are not going to just keep paying out without knowing exactly what we are paying for, it is a shocking way to treat people and totally unacceptable, the Belidere have a duty to explain to everyone just what the charge for water is.

I would ask THEM - if you can't get absolute clarity from the counter staff, ask to see the Mayor (Başkan) or his deputy, you may have to make an appointment.

Far better to get it 'from the Horse's mouth' than to accept someone's interpretation (Guess! ) on here...

p.s. When you do find out, let us know, please!

I am sure there are enough British Resident members living in Lapta who can get BRS to put together a clear indication of what the charges actually are - I'm presuming that someone knows. I also am baffled and would like clarification.

They have a new list of payments that you have to make monthly - the 20TL for rubbish plus the 8.34 for non-existent pest spraying. The water is a scam. You have to pay 25TL a month - as before but they only top your card up to 10 tonnes. I did ask them how this was going to save water but didn't get any sensible response. I assumed initially that you would only be paying for the tonnage of water that you used which obviously would encourage people to be more sparing with it. The new system is no different from the old but with the added aggravation of having to go to their blasted office every month to get the card topped up. Nice one Lapta!

Agobard wrote:They have a new list of payments that you have to make monthly - the 20TL for rubbish plus the 8.34 for non-existent pest spraying. The water is a scam. You have to pay 25TL a month - as before but they only top your card up to 10 tonnes. I did ask them how this was going to save water but didn't get any sensible response. I assumed initially that you would only be paying for the tonnage of water that you used which obviously would encourage people to be more sparing with it. The new system is no different from the old but with the added aggravation of having to go to their blasted office every month to get the card topped up.
[color=#4000[/color] Nice one Lapta!

My husband went in today to top up a friends card for him, on top of all the above costs they are now charging an extra 25TL per month when you top up your card, when asked what for he was told that the District office make them charge that. What the hell is going on, we're being robbed blind here.

According to the website of http://www.frankandjoan.com Joan was nominated to find out all these questions on behalf of the BRS. Why not find out from her or the BRS as has been suggested. Read here.


http://www.frankandjoan.com/2015/04/17/april-17th-3/

Dalartokat wrote:According to the website of http://www.frankandjoan.com Joan was nominated to find out all these questions on behalf of the BRS. Why not find out from her or the BRS as has been suggested. Read here.


http://www.frankandjoan.com/2015/04/17/april-17th-3/

I am fully aware that Joan of Frank and Joan was nominated to find out the details of the new system for water, but as the information is either not forthcoming or else not for public consumption I thought I might ask if any Kibcomer had solved the mystery, after all isn't that what the forum is about.
Perhaps I'll just concentrate on the issue of stray dogs or free refreshments on opening nights in future.

Why are you having a go at me, I gave you information, if you already knew about it all you had to say was thank you but I know. Not go into some unnecessary rant.

I think we are all absolutely frustrated trying to get clarification from the pay and information desk - at least I come away feeling that way. As you seem a reasonably calm sort of bloke Keithcaley, can we nominate you to do as you suggested previously, and then report back to us?

Hi Retired,

I don't live in Lapta, and have no real interest in finding out for myself - I only suggested that if elizabeth did get to the bottom of it, that she post the info. on here for the benefit of others who do live in Lapta...

So often, people expect everyone else to run around after them

Not YOU of course

Keithcaley wrote:Hi Retired,

I don't live in Lapta, and have no real interest in finding out for myself - I only suggested that if elizabeth did get to the bottom of it, that she post the info. on here for the benefit of others who do live in Lapta...

So often, people expect everyone else to run around after them

Not YOU of course

Well nobody at the Belediyesi is running around after me Keith, they're too busy running about like headless chickens, but if I do eventually find out what is going on I'll let you know.

Retired wrote:I think we are all absolutely frustrated trying to get clarification from the pay and information desk - at least I come away feeling that way. As you seem a reasonably calm sort of bloke Keithcaley, can we nominate you to do as you suggested previously, and then report back to us?

Retired....I can fully understand the frustration, been there, done it, worn the T shirt in the past, but there is no need for someone to take their frustration out on others who were only trying to help. Never got involved with stray dogs or free refreshments, so don't know where that came from or what it had to do with anything. That's my rant over.

My wife went up there yesterday armed with a letter stating what we owe and what she was going to pay.Tolga didn't even look at the letter and she had to pay what they said.As far as we can see if you don't put 10 tonnes on one month you still have to pay for it.While we're on the subject since the meter was fitted we've had no end of trouble with our water pump,it's blown 7 of the electronic boxes on the pump,anyone else had any problems with this.

It really is time that someone did, as Keith suggested, make an appointment to see the Major and discuss this very important issue. There are no doubt hundreds of English speaking people living in Lapta, surely we deserve a full explanation of the payments we are expected to make. I remember that when a Festival is held in Lapta, leaflets are printed in both languages. BRS need to do something quickly I reckon.

Retired, do you live in Lapta, if so, please visit the Mayor or ask your legal representative to get the answers you seek and then inform those living in Lapta? Why do you consider this to be a BRS issue, are you even a member, I am? I live in Esentepe, others in Osankoy, Iskele, Bogaz etc. Is the BRS expected to sort out our collective problems with the various Belediye/Başkani too or is the organization Lapta-focused only?

Tomsteel.. I sincerely would again if I were there. I did visit whilst there a short while ago after having the new meter fitted to my place there and came away, as did most English speaking folks I encountered then and since, baffled.

If you read the title, this particular post is regarding Lapta Water Bills. I am sure that when folks living in other areas encounter the problems that us folks in Lapta are experiencing with their new meters, then separate posts will be started on those issues.

I do consider that an organisation like the BRS should get involved in these sort of issues which affect British Residents.

For those people in Lapta who are confused as to what the bill for water is I now have a breakdown from the Belideyese.

6 months @ 20.84 ..... 170.04
6 months @ 8.34 ....... 50.04
12 months water @ 45 per 10 tons.. 540

Total cost 740.08 TL
Previous cost 350.00 TL

Increase of 390TL PER ANNUM

There is a charge of 240 TL included in that on behalf of the District Office but nobody has any idea what it's for.

At least Dick Turpin wore a mask.

Elizabeth, keep an eye out for more super luxurious Mother of All 4 x 4's with Lapta Logo on the side. Usually when there is an unnamed tax, it goes on vehicles!! Nothing sensible though.

It makes me very glad I don't have a water meter.

JBA wrote:It makes me very glad I don't have a water meter.

Sadly we had no choice

Thank you for your efforts Elizabeth..appreciated. I can imagine now why things were not explained to us in plain English, or written down for us to compare. What can we do..imagine not a lot.

elizabeth, does this charge apply to TC's as well or is the expat charge?

tomsteel wrote:elizabeth, does this charge apply to TC's as well or is the expat charge?

I am confused by all this as well but my understanding is that of the charges elizabeth listed the "12 months water @ 45 per 10 tons" this is for a property that has not yet got final (parceled) deeds, whoever owns it (local, expat etc). There is a different charge (as I understand it) of 25TL per 10 tones every month rather than the 45 elizabeth stated, for properties that do have fully 'finished' deeds, again whoever owns such. I might be entirely wrong as well.

If I am right numbers wise then, the '240 TL included in that on behalf of the District Office' elizabeth refers to would be the difference between the 25 and 45 tl pm rate for your mandatory 10 tons per month. 12*20TL = 240TL.

Retired - you can pray for reunification. When we are under the EU we will be able to vote and there are enough English property owners in Lapta, undivided by political parties, to elect an English mayor. Oh what fun!

erol wrote:

tomsteel wrote:elizabeth, does this charge apply to TC's as well or is the expat charge?

I am confused by all this as well but my understanding is that of the charges elizabeth listed the "12 months water @ 45 per 10 tons" this is for a property that has not yet got final (parceled) deeds, whoever owns it (local, expat etc). There is a different charge (as I understand it) of 25TL per 10 tones every month rather than the 45 elizabeth stated, for properties that do have fully 'finished' deeds, again whoever owns such. I might be entirely wrong as well.

If I am right numbers wise then, the '240 TL included in that on behalf of the District Office' elizabeth refers to would be the difference between the 25 and 45 tl pm rate for your mandatory 10 tons per month. 12*20TL = 240TL.

Erol , we have full kocan on our property including the property on there but these are the charges we have been given

tomsteel wrote:elizabeth, does this charge apply to TC's as well or is the expat charge?

To be honest I neither know nor care, I am disgusted with the way we have been treated by the people we are expected to trust and respect. We are always told that we are guests in this country, we are not guests at all, we are just an easy target and source of income for the corrupt and incompetent officials who unaccountable to anyone.

I’m also confused. The title is “Lapta Water Bill”. We live in Karsiyaka and currently do not have the new water meters.

We do not get a water bill. For the last 6 years we have been getting a monthly bill from the Belideyese. This bill includes the supply of water, along with street cleaning, the Lapta Health Centre, the yearly Property Tax (rates) etc.

In all this time we have been billed for a minimum of 10 tonnes per month. This was costing 15.00TL per month till this year when it went up to 25.00TL for the 10 tonnes.

As this monthly bill is the only method used to collect the other charges due to the Belideyese is it possible that they are using the new meters to collect these charges.

That is to say if I put 50.00TL on my card, then 25.00 would be used to pay for the monthly water and some of the remaining would be used for the other cost. Therefor 50.00TL is not equivalent to 20 tonnes of water, but 50.00TL of Belideyese costs

Regards Mike

Mike,

We in Lapta also had a monthly bill which included some services...never knew Lapta Health Centre charge was one of them, did know that rubbish collection and street lights/cleaning were..but do know that our Property Tax was a separate thing each year which had to be paid separately. We were also charged for 10 tonnes whether used or not, which certainly cost us a lot more than 15TL. I was told in the office that services etc. would be billed separately - as stated in Elizabeth's post - certainly not deducted from any monies loaded onto the water card.

Retired wrote: charged for 10 tonnes whether used or not,

Charging people for 10 tonnes of water whether used or not is the most ridiculous setup it actually encourages people to waste water the direct opposite of what the water meters are supposed to do, as all home owners here know it's all about money, money, money and nothing to do with water conservation.

We have had pre-pay water meters up in Bellapais for years and they're just as big a rip off I have tried but nobody in the Belideyese seems to be able to explain to me exactly what we are being charged for ?

last months bill plus 10 tonne in advance 79tl as I expected

Just spent 20 mins on a post explaining our simple experience at the office and what/why we were charged all done very nicely for the post to disappear ?

13roman58 wrote:last months bill plus 10 tonne in advance 79tl as I expected

Just spent 20 mins on a post explaining our simple experience at the office and what/why we were charged all done very nicely for the post to disappear ?

That's so annoying!
It's bad enough when you've only written a couple of lines, but when it's a lot... Grrrr...

Joan Gillin, the Lapta representative for the BRS recently had discussions with the Beleyide on water meters and charges and has explained all in a summary on the BRS website. For those that live in Lapta only, please read the following link:

http://www.brstrnc.com/index.php/lifestyle/lapta

Thank you, 3dognight.

Here's the text: -

Lapta Beledeysi

SMART WATER METERS
The new smart water meter is designed to protect people and save on water.
Lapta Belediyesi do not charge for the meter but please be patient, as all meters in Lapta and villages will be changed in due course.
In the meantime water readings, bills and payments will be as normal..
When your new smart water meter has been installed you will also receive 3 x A4 sheets of paper. (one being a form).
You must now go to the Belediyesi payment office to receive a smart water meter card.
Water can now only be paid for on your card.
Payment by Direct debit for water is no longer possible.
After this time you will not receive any more paper bills.

APPLYING FOR A SMART WATER METER CARD
The Documents required to receive a smart water meter card are as follows-:
1. I.D.Card or passport Photograph
2. Title Deed Copy. - if not - The Sales Contract or Rental Contract (These must have been officially stamped and signed by the Appropriate Government Office)
3. The form which came with the meter.
This form contains only basic questions and can be filled in at the municipality.
Once you have a card , when you require water, the charge is 25 TL per Month for up to 10 Tons.
Customers can pay a maximum of 80 TL which will cover 3 months.
No further credit is allowed for water.

OTHER SERVICES AND CHARGES

Refuse Collection will be charged 20 TL every month for the 1st. 6 months, then no charge for the following 6 months.
Then the system starts again.
A monthly charge of 8.34 TL is a general standard charge towards battling pests generally, that is in our area .
These charges must be paid at the normal pay office and can be paid in advance if you wish.
They DO NOT come off the water meter card as that is for water only.

Health (Pest Control) services done towards homes on request by residents is a 'Free of charge' service.
This service can be contacted as many times as required for any problems with mosquitoes, rats etc.
The cockroach system done free of charge will also not change.

Street lighting has not been done with the Belediyesi for the past 2 years 6 months, so that will not change.
That is paid as part of your Electric Bill.

For any further queries please e-mail me at joan@frankandjoan.com and I will try to respond as soon as possible.
If I cannot help I will refer you to a contact within the Belediyesi.
Joan Gillin

I thought I had all this sussed - obviously not!

Timeline:

13 May meter installed.

20 May - paid all outstanding bills

20 May - paid 45TL on card for 10 tonnes water?

22 Jun - paid 45TL on card for 10 tonnes water? Meter reading 13.15m3

12 July - read meter 18.39m3 (so have only used 5.24m3)

12 July - unable to get any water

14 July - visit to Lapta Belediyesi to explain that I have no water and have only used 5.24m3 since 12th July

14 July - Lapta Belediyesi they charge me a further 79.06TL for an outstanding bill? This is for 20TL cleaning - I was aware of this; 8.34TL Health - OK aware of this as well; + 48.30TL for Water - water standing charge unaware of this - asked what this was for and was told this was a standing charge for water?? I explained that I had paid for 10 tonnes of water on my card in May and June and had just under 5m3 left which I couldn't access. They instructed me to go to the office upstairs for an explanation. I went upstairs and explained that in May I paid all my outstanding bills so should not owe anything for water and that I couldn't access any water. He said that it was for a standing charge for water? Head in hands I said OK but I had still bought 10 tonnes of water on 22 Jun and now have no water! So he said that it may be a problem with my pipes go home, check then call him. 2.15pm until 3.00pm called him - no response!

14 July - I have paid everything I owe and still have no water?

Do I have to top up my water on the anniversary of when my meter was installed, i.e the 13th of each month or can I check the date on the meter when to top up on the meter?

What is this standing charge for water??

There are 2 SMART water meter readings you need to keep your eye on

Meter reading 1 - Credit left on your meter - just press the black button on your meter once and your current credit will display in tons

Meter reading 2 - Actual water running through your meter - what you have used

In theory if you bought 20 tons credit and have used 18 tons of water - your Meter reading 1 should read - 2 tons Kredi

If you still have credit on your meter but no water flowing through meter it could just be water rationing - be patient if you can before buying anymore credit and see if water starts to flow again in a couple of days.

I can fully understand everyones frustration - the instructions given by the Belydere on how to use the meter are 'minimal'. A very kind local guy showed me how to check what credit was left on my meter As my meter was only installed end of June I am still getting to grips with the device myself. I haven't go to the stage where I need to update my SMART card yet!

There is also a lot of conflicting information from Belydere. Mr T advised me that the SMART card credit was for water only - nothing else. Mr. T also advised me that I would not loose any SMART card credit if the credit was not used in a month. - any unused credit can be carried over to the following month. However, regardless of what you carry over you still have to top up your SMART card with 10 tons/25TL standing charge - so if you are likely to use more than 10 tons of water following month you are not 'out of pocket'.

Regarding other service charges you still have to call into the Belydere office to pay for street cleaning, pest control, rubbish collection etc. which I understand averages out around 55TL-60TL per month. If you don't want the hassle of calling in to the office every month or are going away you can pay up front for these service and your account will be credited. Don't ask the office to transfer any outstanding credit on your account to your SMART card (they don't know how to do it - been there, done that, worn the T shirt)!!!!

Thanks prior to my visit today it was showing -0.2 Kredi, it is now showing 6.8 Kredi?? Confused - I am....

RAZR63

All I can suggest is you keep a spreadsheet of all your readings, date, time, credit, usage and do the same when you buy and load further credit. And take digital photos to back up your readings

That is what I am doing.

Thanks I already started a spreadsheet but will take your advice and back it up with photos.

thanks

Oh I do miss Cyprus
http://www.kibkomnorthcyprusforum.com/v ... =8&t=22942

I have usual meter problems !!Water went off Sat.am, İ even booked a taxi to go and pay,(bad foot could not walk)but
stupid me it was Saturday(and closed) !!Tried ordering water to fill tank from usual waterman,but he was too busy.But a frıend suggested as I have access to well,to water garden,get a pump and fill tank.
All done,so long as water flows down mountaın,no more looking at the unrelıable water meter.Free water for showers and household all weekend
İmcidentally,İ have all records of payments and Lapta agree İ am in credit of 100tl,better claim soon !!!before they change the meters !!!

Acacia,

Thanks for all the info. Do you know what this reading is for on the meter? It says 25 -- 30.

Having a guess I would say that my 30 days is up in 5 days and I need to pay for more water on my card?? It says 26--30 today. I think this is the anniversary date of when the meter was installed.

RAZR63

I do not know what the 25-30 or 26-30 reading is.

In the way that Waddo kindly found and posted a link to the user manual for electric meters (on the "New Kibtek electricity meters" thread), can anyone find and post a link for these water meters? It would be very useful to refer to, as to what buttons do what, and what the displays look like...
Thanks in advance!

jofra wrote:In the way that Waddo kindly found and posted a link to the user manual for electric meters (on the "New Kibtek electricity meters" thread), can anyone find and post a link for these water meters? It would be very useful to refer to, as to what buttons do what, and what the displays look like...
Thanks in advance!

If someone could let me know the make and model number of the meter (possibly on a 'Ratings' plate somewhere, or even just printed on the casing) then I'll certainly 'Google' it - we could have a race, to see who can find it first

I'm not sure if it was mentioned on this thread or not - but there is a provision for each Belediye to charge a higher rate for Properties where the Building / Construction / (or possibly Planning / Final Build approval??) paperwork and certification is not completed - sorry to be a bit vague on this, but it could explain why some people are being charged 25TL for 10 tons, and some are being charged 45TL for 10 tons. If it was already mentioned, and I missed it, just ignore this...

Keithcaley wrote: I'm not sure if it was mentioned on this thread or not - but there is a provision for each Belediye to charge a higher rate for Properties where the Building / Construction / (or possibly Planning / Final Build approval??) paperwork and certification is not completed - sorry to be a bit vague on this, but it could explain why some people are being charged 25TL for 10 tons, and some are being charged 45TL for 10 tons. If it was already mentioned, and I missed it, just ignore this...

Msg 23 in this thread - though I am as suitably vague there as well.

We are being charged 45TL for 10 tons and we have a full kocan etc, Tolga said once the extra 20 is a charge from the district office then again he said it's a standing charge on the water, so really it's anybodys guess.

posted in error

RAZR63 wrote:Acacia,

Thanks for all the info. Do you know what this reading is for on the meter? It says 25 -- 30.

Having a guess I would say that my 30 days is up in 5 days and I need to pay for more water on my card?? It says 26--30 today. I think this is the anniversary date of when the meter was installed.

We had our new meter installed at Easter and put 20 tons on it, used some at Easter and when we came back in June continued using it for the two weeks we were there without problem. When we left at the end of June we had 16 tons left on it. We have not put any more credit on the card since Easter.

I can only speak for how it is in Esentepe, but unused credit on the meter does not expire after 30 days. The only thing that happens after 30 days is if no water is used the valve in the meter closes and stops water coming thorough. When we came back in June the card reading said 'Kontrol' so we put the card back in, pressed the black button and heard the valve open and hey presto water coming through.

erol wrote:...Msg 23 in this thread - though I am as suitably vague there as well.

Ah yes indeed, you are...

elizabeth wrote:We are being charged 45TL for 10 tons and we have a full kocan etc, Tolga said once the extra 20 is a charge from the district office then again he said it's a standing charge on the water, so really it's anybodys guess.

I think , but again I am just guessing, that its something to with if the 'full kochan' has been registered with the municipality or not, so its possible to have the full kochan but no one has actually told the bele that you have it - but the whole thing IS very confusing. I would suggest maybe try going there with your full kochan in hand and asking specifically if / why you are on the '45tl for 10 tons' and not the '25tl for 10 tons' others are paying. Before we got our new meter I think we were paying the '45' rate. When we went to do our new meter card registration I asked how much is it for the 10 tons and initially the guy said 45TL and I thrust my kochan in front of him, which he looked at for a bit then tapped on the computer a bit and then said 25. Maybe I just got lucky.