Many expats who rent a property will probably never see a utility bill, with landlords of letting agencies dealing with connection and bills. The cost of water, gas or electricity may or may not be included in your monthly rental fee; this needs to be clarified before signing any rental agreement.

Utility bills are usually paid bi-monthly by direct debit. It is therefore important to have your bank details with you when registering, and make sure your bank allows direct debits to be set up. Your NIE (numero de identification de extranjeros) is also needed, as well as proof of address, such as a rental agreement or bank letter.

The energy market in Spain was deregulated in 2003 opening up competition to a variety of energy providers. Like other cities in the country where competition has been slow to take off, Barcelona has access to one provider:

Fecsa-Endesa
Av. Paral.lel, 51
Poble Sec
Sants-Montjuic
08004 Barcelona

Customer service telephone number: 902 507750

You can also register for an account on the website at www.endesa.es

Gas is also available in the city and can either be contracted from Endesa as above or from:

Gas Natural
Rda Universitat, 31
Dreta Eixample
08007 Barcelona

Customer service telephone number: 900 700365

In many rural areas outside of the main city area, residents rely on bottled gas which can be ordered through Repsol Butano offices which are a common site throughout Catalan villages. Delivery can be arranged through your local office, or via the website at www.repsol.com. Once an initial delivery has been made, you can set up a contract for regular, ongoing deliveries.

Water is supplied by the municipal provider Aigues de Barcelona. Service can be requested through their website here or by telephone 902 077300.

It is generally not recommended to drink the tap water in the city, although it is fine for cooking. Large bottles of water are commonplace for drinking and making hot drinks - a 5 litre bottle costs around 1 euro - and can be bought in supermarkets, corner shops and estate agents. Many people arrange for their large water bottles to be delivered to avoid carrying home large, heavy bottles from the supermarket.

Residents are expected to sort their household waste for recycling and to place these items in the communal bins that are situated outside all large residential buildings, and on residential streets. Bins with orange waste accept organic waste such as food, kitchen roll and nappies. Blue lids are for paper, magazines and newspapers and cardboard food cartons. Glass should be thrown into the green containers, whilst plastic and cans are put in the yellow bins.

Larger items, such as furniture, are collected for free one day per week. Residents are asked to put the items outside their front door between 8pm and 10pm on the day the service passes through their street. Other items, such as fridges, can be taken to the local Green Point (Puntos Verdes), a list of which can be found here.