A week after the passage of a DANA that was catastrophic in the province of Valencia and hit different parts of Castilla-La Mancha, Andalusia, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Aragon, the reconstruction tasks are expected to be gigantic, both in terms of the Administrations as well as individuals and companies. Precisely, two days ago the Executive announced an aid package – since yesterday it has been official in the BOE – that amounts to a total of 10.6 billion eurosonly in the first section.
Royal Decree-Law 6/2024 consists of an economic assistance plan and tax exemptions aimed at individuals and businesses, but in what concerns only consumers, it includes a series of exceptions in the payment of some obligations. Those people whose homes were lost or became uninhabitable, those who, due to the damage caused by the storm, lost the ability to meet certain mortgage or any other type of debts, or to enjoy certain goods and services that they had previously contracted, can be accommodated. .
To clarify doubts, which at this time are not few, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has published today a guide in which it explains which consumers can request aid and what it consists of in each case.
Suspend electricity, water or gas contracts without penalty
DANA has made it impossible to enjoy certain services that many had previously contracted, a range that ranges from gas, electricity, water, telephone or internet supplies to subscriptions to gyms or academies, for example.
For these cases, article 47 of the Royal Decree-Law contemplates that, even when the service provider can continue to fulfill its part of the contract, if the consumer cannot use the good or service – and this can occur either due to uninhabitability temporary housing and temporary displacement of the home-, You will be able to choose between terminating the contract, without any type of penalty, or postponing its execution, not having to pay for the service during the period in which it cannot be enjoyed.
On the other hand, if definitive cancellations occur, explains the Ministry, “the potential amounts paid for services that have not been enjoyed must be returned within a maximum period of thirty days.” And to exercise this right, the statement continues, “the affected person must send a request to the company, within a maximum period of six months, indicating the causes that motivate it.”
Terminate rental contracts
It will also be very common for homes for which there was a rental contract to become uninhabitable. In these cases, according to the Decree, tenants will have two options, as long as the landlord has been informed first. Once this is done, the affected party can benefit from the temporary suspension of the contract, which includes the suspension of the obligation to pay the rent until the home is habitable again – “once the necessary repairs have been made by the landlord,” he clarifies. the Ministry – or withdraw from it without having to pay any type of penalty.
Moratoriums on loans, mortgages and consumer credits
Regarding consumer loans and credits, and as announced by the financial entities – in anticipation of the drafting of the Decree -, residents in the areas affected by DANA can request the financial entity with which they have signed a contract a moratorium of up to three months. This additional time must be applied in all cases, regardless of whether the client is up to date with payment or not.. In addition, interest is suspended during that time.
To obtain the deferral, all you have to do is go to the financial institution, and in the case of consumer loans, “the application must be accompanied by any document that proves residence in one of the affected areas, for example, a registration certificate or invoices for basic services domiciled in said areas,” explains the Ministry in its note.
Cancel a concert or trip after the deadline
Another very common case will be those who have difficulties exercising the rights of withdrawal or others on the contracts they signed before the DANA. That is, to cancel a trip, concert or service when the deadline to do so has been exceeded. In cases where as of the date of October 29, these rights could still be exercised, the Decree provides that the deadlines will be suspended until January 31, 2025. Furthermore, to request the cancellation of a contract or service, it will not be necessary to present documents that are impossible to obtain or recover because they were lost during the storm.
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