utilities payment

As a non resident you will have to pay a higher rate and maybe a standing connection charge (not sure about ammount) but as Electricity meters are SMART they are automatically read by ENEL so they will only charge you for what you use, not an estimated ammount as they will know how much has been used.

Hello again Hiller My case may be different because Pacentro has its own electricity so I pay them, but I pay a standing charge of about 16 euros every two months and hand in a reading every time I leave. We haven't got the SMART readers yet but am told they are on the way, which will be good. I had a much bigger problem with gas (which you don't mention so maybe you don't have any) but this may be helpful to you. I was getting estimated bills from Enigas, based on the previous year's consumption when there was a tenant, so the winter one was high. I paid it and then spoke to Enigas who had in the meantime taken a reading and knew thay had to refund me - which they did. They were very helpful and said I should request a 'blocco consumo' which doesn't cut your supply but stops the estimated bills. It runs for a year and can be renewed. Maybe ENEL have something similar. I was amazed how helpful they were, but maybe it wouldn't be so easy if you don't have much Italian. Good luck anyway   www.italianforyou.co.uk

Hi, hiller and welcome. I am hopeless at finance so can only empathise.  My own gas bills are always sky high. Do you have an Enel office near you? I think it would be much easier to sort out if you could go and see them . I think they want to be helpful, Pat

Checking with an ENEL office seems a good idea as you can't beat face to face contact  particularly if your Italian is good. I think obtaining residency is a good idea and shows a certain solidarity with your Italian neighbours. However - getting ENEL to recognise this fact can be a long-winded process with many twists and turns but lower rates should be back-dated to your original application! As with many things Italian what is presented to you as near imposssible can suddenly take place. Take heart!