The appeal was upheld, and the judge annulled Abbanoa's massive bill.
Tariff errors and meter malfunctionsPer restare aggiornato entra nel nostro canale Whatsapp
A tax injunction signed by Abbanoa. A massive bill of almost €22,000 was served on the Maestrale condominium in Macomer. However, the Oristano Civil Court deemed the injunction unlawful, and the debt is therefore nonexistent.
It all began two years ago when Abbanoa issued a payment order against the condominium on Via Leonardo da Vinci , requesting over 21,863.79 euros for water consumption relating to a period of approximately sixteen years.
The condominium, assisted by lawyer Rossella Oppo, filed an objection, highlighting the malfunctioning meter (replaced only in 2016), the lack of periodic meter readings for over fifteen years, late billing, and the disproportionate application of tariffs based on a smaller number of units.
The water utility allegedly applied standard user rates (a household of three) to the entire complex of 16 apartments. "Between the end of 2020 and mid-2021, out of an actual consumption of 616 cubic meters, only 7% was calculated at the discounted rate," the complaint states. "The remainder of consumption was pushed into the maximum excess brackets, exceeding the cost of €4 per cubic meter."
According to the condominium's calculations, Abbanoa should have granted the complex a total of 1,120 cubic meters per year at a reduced rate.
Ultimately, Judge Andrea Vigorito upheld the condominium's appeal, emphasizing that Abbanoa is authorized exclusively for forced collection through a tax roll; the tax injunction is instrumental to this procedure; and part of the debt has now expired. Abbanoa was ordered to pay the court costs.
