Hi Corolla Don't think this can be done on line as yet. It you have engaged a Managemnt company for your apartment or a key holding service then I am sure they will be happy to confirm you are registered and let you know how much your bill will be.

Hi Uncle, Thanks again for the info. Unfortunately, we don't have a contract in place yet for maintenance/management - we're having real problems at the moment trying to negotiate our first contract. So in essence, we have nobody who we could elect to deal with this tax payment. Do you know who long you are given to pay up before penalties are applied, once you're registered? Is the payment process straight-forward, ie. do you just go to the municipality office and pay the amount due, based on your tax number or is it necessary to fill in forms, etc. for the first payment? Sorry for so many questions! Many thanks for all the help so far!

Hi Corolla You need to find from the local municipality how much you need to pay, it was 28 leva for the year for our studio apartment. Our managing agent went and asked for us, I tried emailing them but got no reply. I have managed to register with epay.bg and you are able to pay it through them online for a very small charge, you will need to enter your Bulstat number when you pay the local tax, it is I think a nine digit number. The website is in English, it is a bit a fiddle and I needed to email a few times to get set up but they were very helpfull. You can also pay electricity bills and water etc through them although I havn`t tried this yet. Hope this helps Tim

The municipality tax is due around April each year and if not paid by the end of june penalties will apply. The cost is not great and so the penalties are not great either. It is very easy to pay, just walk into the municipality building and staying on the ground floor go round to your left - the glass office on the right is where you pay and if you look helpless and wave around your bulstat number they will help you. alternatively call me when you are next in Bansko and I will come down with you. If Tim has managed to pay through easypay then this may be the simplest solution.

Hi Tim, The information you've given is spot on and a big help. You guys (Uncle, etc.) are such a helpful bunch! I have another outstanding query that someone might be able to help with: Our solicitor owes us money (over 200 leva). I want to get it back from them but they keep saying that bank charges for the transfer will nearly cost that much so they recommend that we call to their offices to collect it instead. Without going into detail, that's a ridiculous suggestion because of their location, etc. So, do you know if its possible to get this money back without using the bank transfer (and IBAN numbers, etc.)? I had a quick look at epay.bg but not sure if we could do it through them. Any suggestions? Again, many thanks for all the help so far!

http://www.moneygram.com small amounts transferred for approx 7 euro. First Investment bank are moneygram agents in Bansko.

Sorry Uncle, I had posted my last message before I saw your last comment. You're an absolute star too - many thanks!

Hi Corolla Can`t really help with this one, the bank charges are usually only around £10 for a transfer so I can`t work out why they are saying it will cost so much. I have transferred money to a furniture company in Sofia via Paypal so I don`t know if this is an option, presumably the solicitor would need to have a Paypal account also. Sorry I can`t help any further Tim

Hi TIB, just had a quick look at the moneygram website and it looks like this is the answer - its great to get this info. as I'm sure this situation will arise again the future. Many thanks. Could I just say thanks once again to Tim, Uncle, TIB, etc. for sharing really valuable information!

Yet another post by Nick_buyer to promote a particular law firm. That appears to be his only contribution! How interesting!

Corolla I am in touch with Michelle from Bg Interiors she is doing our apt in Aheloy, she is from Dublin and lives in Bulgaria, lovely lady and always helpful with info like this, if you want me to ask her anything just let me know, I am sure she will help in anyway, shes that type of person. Regards Slogi

Hi Nick_buyer, We're already using lawyers that were recommended on this forum, only to find they are incompetent, non-communicative, etc. We've gone from one stressful situation to another, trying to figure things out for ourselves. On the other hand, we've been really fortunate to get worthwhile advice from people on this forum at times, so in some ways, we've made progress. Just because someone recommends lawyers, doesn't mean they're any good - so you can understand why I'm annoyed with your postings. You've just very recently signed onto the forum and all your postings have recommended a particular law firm. Why should we believe you? It looks to me like you're just touting for business. Do you have any idea what its like to go through a difficult purchase, etc. with a useless laywer? Of course I'm paranoid at this stage - what would you expect!

Sorry for interrupting your discussion. 2 points only: 1. Go to the website yourself. It has only a Bulgarian mobile number as a point of contact . Is there a reputable law company without a landline and a fax N ? How are you going to send them a signed document ? 2. It's in the town of Ruse (sometimes written as Rouse) on the Danube river, on the opposite side of Bulgaria - some 600 km away. Tried to find Bansko associate or partner - no success. It's understandable that solicitors from Sofia (the capital) - 160 km, or Plovdiv (like Trifonov) - 150 km from Bansko can commute (or have partner lawyers in Bansko) and do your job on-site in Bansko or Razlog, however traveling from Ruse to Bansko... sounds strange. I'm not a Trifonov client, however the guy had come personally to this forum , told us useful basics etc. If you're promoting a law company tell them to do it this way . Finally, there's one point many people miss. When your Bulgarian solicitors close your deal (you have the Notary deeds in your hands, they help with the BULSTAT, taxes etc.) they practically "close your file". However, unlike in the UK they don't tell you that. This leaves many people with the perception that the solicitors (the law firm) are bound to serve them further within the terms of their initial arrangements. Many people with such perception find that their e-mails may not be answered , etc. In any case - it's best to ask the solicitors (law firms) direct what they charge for the work in any after-sales case. This is important - otherwise both sides may feel uncomfortable . Best, Jack