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94 articles found
A Cédula de Habitabilidad (Spanish term for a Certificate of Occupancy) is a certificate required by Spanish law in order to try and regulate conditions relating to Health and safety in any building... more
Renting out your property in Spain comes with the same risks that you might find in the UK: You have the opportunity to make money on your investment, but you run the risk of running into problem... more
Building your own property is a dream come true for many of those planning a new life in Spain. Deciding to Build on an Urbanisation means that you will have the security of neighbours around you and the comfort of most mains services... more
For many of us, the dream of living in Spain will mean the open Countryside - Far from the Madding Crowd : Peace and Tranquility over Neighbours and Mains services. However, the practicalities of getting your project off the ground need addressing ... more
Buying Off-Plan deffinately has many advantages - however,to succesfully buy a dream property you need to research and plan the entire proceedure ..... more
If you have bought a new build property off-plan you may be daunted by having to complete the Snagging Survey on your own. Whilst there are numerous specialst companies that can help you, you may choose to do it on your own... more
If you’re searching for that special holiday home in Spain, you may want to consider thinking about various schemes that provides sole occupancy of a property for a number of weeks each year as opposed to buying the property outright... more
With more and more people choosing to build their dream home in Spain as opposed to buying a resale property, it is perhaps not surprising that they are drawn to considering a wooden home as a... more
From time to time it may be expected that a proposed off plan development may stray from the agreed date of completion – but how long over schedule is too long, and what should you do about it?... more
If you were Non-Spanish resident who sold a property in Spain between January 1997 and December 2006, chances are that you paid 35% Capital Gains Tax... more
As soon as you decide to start the buying process in Spain it is always recommended that a Spanish speaking Lawyer acts on your behalf. Regardless of the cost it can often be the case that they will... more
There are two types of rentals in Spain: Short term and long term. Short term rentals are basically Holiday Lets and the contract is headed with the phrase "Por Temporada", which literally means... more
Obtaining the necessary building permissions and licences, with regards to your garden, is a subject that quite naturally causes confusion with people who have chosen to make Spain their home... more
The process of buying a property from an estate agent needs very little in the way of an introduction. Providing that you can find a reputable and experienced agent covering your chosen location and... more
As in many other countries, it is possible to get certain utility bills or facturas online. Unfortunately, most of the major providers are very efficient in taking their direct debits, but when it... more
With building restrictions in Spain at their most restrictive than ever before, especially for anyone living in the countryside looking to build an extension, you maybe considering to build or... more
As of July 1st 2009 new legistlation opens up the market with regards to the supply of electricity and enabling consumers to change electricity suppliers..... more
It is by no means unusual for people to move house every once in a while, and while the process is widely acknowledged to be one of the most stressful things to happen in life, it is easy to see how... more
The property boom in Spain a few years back brought with it an explosion of new Estate Agents looking to exploit the interest in new developments and property resales alike. Since the decline of the... more
Have you ever searched through Estate Agent websites when looking at property in Spain and wondered exactly what the badges and logo's located at the foot of the page represent ?
... moreChances are that if you have been seriously looking at buying a property in Spain for any period of time, that you already know who the AIPP are, or at the very least have seen their logo attached... more
The Communidad Valencia Regional Government passed a law to speed urban development in 1994. Whilst the law was largely well intentioned it has become controversial for it's abuses by various... more
Whatever your reasons for wanting to rent out your property in Spain, you need to be aware of the correct process and procedures to protect yourself from 'questionable' Agents and Tenants alike..... more
Although the overall principal of successfully applying for a mortgage is the same in Spain as it is in the UK, there are a few differences between the 2 products that it pays to be aware of. Any... more
In Spain we have to deal with many different problems than those we experience in the UK in our everyday living, some unique and some that are very unfamiliar and alien to us. We all know how much... more
Buying a property in Spain can often come with the requirement to make certain reformations or repairs - especially if you are buying a property that has not been maintained or modernised in quite... more
The question of whether or not buyers need a survey can actually be answered by a significant proportion of new build owners, most having experienced various problems with their new properties,... more
The ‘Decenal’ 10-Year Property Insurance system for newbuilds requires that a geotechnical study of the ground is carried out as part of the project. This involves pre-build bore testing (in two or... more
Don’t leave it to chance : It’s common sense - think about what attracts/attracted you to a particular property that you want/wanted to buy... more
Despite what the scaremonger would have you believe , not everybody who may struggle from time to time to meet their mortgage repayments will fall victim to having their property repossessed -... more
The convenience of living in the Pueblo, combined with the charm and relative good value of an older property, can often mean that buying and restoring a Spanish Townhouse are attractive to foreign buyers. Quiet often this can be the case, but we asked Mark Paddon from Survey Spain what things a potential buyer of such a property should be aware of... more
Spanish Capital Gains Tax or Impuesto sobre Incremento de Patrimonio de la Venta de un Bien Inmeuble is complicated, but in simple terms, it is a tax charged on capital gains, i.e. the profit made... more
... Or, in most cases - "Do I really need a Life Insurance Policy on top of all my other outgoings ?" ... Everybody has an opinon on the debate about Life Insurance - and the much asked question... more
Euribor is an abbreviation for Euro Interbank Offered Rate. These rates are based on the interest rates at which panels of 57 European banks borrow between themselves at. During this process, the... more
All Non-resident owners of Spanish properties are liable for paying Spanish income taxes - regardless of whether they actually have any earnings in Spain, or let their property out for a small income.... more
When it comes to choosing a house for purchase, or carrying out works to an existing property, materials, design and build methods can make the difference between an easy life with low maintenance... more
The Inspección Técnica de Edificios (ITE) comes into force in 2012, but what is it for, and which properties does it apply to ... more
We all have an opinion about the value of a property, especially when it’s ours, and that’s the problem! It’s the value that a prudent, knowledgeable buyer will put on it that’s important... more
Sometimes the easiest way to explain the exact function of a Chartered Surveyor is to describe the variety of surveys on which their expertise is considered vital. As you will be able to see, their... more
The truth is that bad news, horror stories and sensationalism holds more Interest with the general public, than stories of good news do.Despite what Sir Trevor McDonald and Television programmes in... more
It’s a common question asked by most purchasers and existing owners when taking out insurance cover on their home. As most insurers benefit from the higher premiums associated with over valuation, they are less likely to give you detailed advice on how much you should insure for... more
With estimates of as many as 800’000 unsold Spanish homes on the property market, it doesn’t take a genius to appreciate that the advantage is currently with the buyer when it comes to negotiating the sale of a property.
... more
A common mistake made by foreign buyers of Spanish property is that of assuming that any purchasing procedures and legal formalities associated with any such sale are the same as in their own country.more
One down side of a warm climate is the increase in insects. Even treated areas of timberwork e.g. windows and doors, may still show signs of attack. Some beetles and termites are so ferocious that... more
In these times of falling property prices and increasing rates of unemployment, a common question being asked on many expat forum is the subject of handing the keys back to the bank and walking away... more
Moving abroad can be a mammoth task, and the success is in the planning. You might want to print off and keep this page to ensure that you have considered every aspect of your moving and your new live abroad... more
When it comes to choosing a house for purchase, or carrying out works to an existing property, materials, design and build methods can make the difference between an easy life with low maintenance... more
Building your own home from scratch can be an enjoyable experience. However, in order to get it right a certain amount of serious thought and planning needs to go into it. There is a lot at stake so... more
The Nota Simple is an official extract report that contains a full property description and can be obtained from the local property title registry office or, by subscribers, over the Internet. This... more
When buying a house in spain it is important to give some thought to the taxes you will have to pay. Of course, as in the uk, there are also on-going costs and taxes to consider and these will... more
Flat roofs are common in Spain and often form useful terraces above the living space. In higher density developments nearly all homes come with at least a proportion of flat roof ‘solarium’. There... more
When you buy a resale property in Spain you must pay transfer tax (ITP). This is currently at 7% of the purchase price. If, at a later date, the Tax Authority consider that the declared purchase... more
The number of 'bargain', or distressed properties on the market at the moment can cause many an eager buyer to commit themselves to a purchase without any prior thought to the costs involved in... more
For a long term cost saving plan consider owning your electric meter, rather than renting it. That is the advice given by Tony Poole from Sparks In Spain, our Guru on all things electrical... more
Finding that dream Spanish property, in your chosen location and at the right price can often seem such an uphill struggle that once you have actually found a property to buy, many people will enter... more
The financial crisis seen in Spain over recent years has brought with it an increasing number of married and co-habiting expat couples who have taken the decision to go their separate ways. In some... more
Unless you are a professionally qualified tradesman - or at the very least an experienced DIY-er - you would be well advised to leave any issue concerning Spanish electrics to the experts... more
Aside from paying the Taxes associated with Buying & Selling Property As an Employer, as an Employee or Inheritance Tax, some or all of the following Municipal (Town Hall) Taxes may apply..... more
It is always useful to be familiar with various words and phrases that can occur wherever and whenever you are faced with any kind of bureaucracy in Spain. You might want to print our this page and keep it with your legal documents... more
The subject of electricity suppliers and their take on ICP's is discussed regularly on the expat forums - including our own... more
Anyone who has lived in Spain for more than a year will doubtlessly be aware of the fact that it does actually rain here.
A lot.
We asked Surveyor, Mark Paddon, the effect that huge amounts of rain can have on Spanish properties... more
It is obligatory in Spain for a new build property to have ‘Seguro Decenal’ which is insurance on the building for 10 years. This article by Building Surveyor Mark Paddon explains what the implications are when buying a new build property in Spain :more
... And What to do if the developer has not complied with the contract...... more
If there is one question that is asked more than any other on the various expat property forums, it is by potential expats asking whereabouts in Spain they should chose to relocate to... more
Benjamin Disraeli famously commented “Lies, damned lies and statistics” when an opponent tried to baffle him with meaningless figures. The use of statistics to make an argument or disprove a theory... more
It can sometimes come as a surprise to the newly-arrived expat to find that Spain experiences the 4 seasons, and that the sun isn’t always shinning.... more
Alongside complaints about Banks in Spain, complaints about Ayuntamiento and Town Hall administration are perhaps the most common quibbles by all non-Spanish residents... more
As soon as you apply for your Mortgage in Spain, it is important to have copies of all relevant documents with you. As an employee you need a copy of your passport, the payslips and the bank... more
Much has been written on the subject of timeshares over recent years, most articles only representing the more 'newsworthy' horror stories of families who have fallen victim to heavy handed... more
"Do I actually need a Survey when purchasing a property, or is this just another needless expense ?" is just one question many would-be buyers of Spanish Property ask themselves... more
Recently the Spanish Coastal Protection Law has stirred again, which raises a question mark over the whole issue of the legality (and sense) in buying a coastal property in Spain. The recent changes... more
Non-Resident owners of Spanish property
are reminded that they are legally obliged to submit an Income Tax declaration - and now, after being reintroduced- a Property Wealth Tax declaration... more
Of all the types of property available in Spain, it is perhaps the Cave House that causes the would-be buyer the most cause for concern. Undoubtedly, this is because of the fact that it is so... more
When buying property in Spain many expats make one of two mistakes : Assuming that the legal system and property purchase procedure is the same in Spain as it is in the UK, or entering into an... more
With this in mind Tumbit asked Building Surveyor Mark Paddon BSc Hons MCIOB. FAS. CAAT, why taking a moment to consider the bigger picture is a good idea.
”Whilst property buyers in... more
With the summer season in full swing, the Agencia Tributaria (Spain's tax authority) is launching a campaign to cut down on illegal property rentals. We asked Raquel Perez from
Perez Legal Group
... more
Unless you are a trained professional, it is not easy to see any potential defects that may be lurking beneath the surface of a property... more
After having bought a property in need of a little care and attention, many new owners find that the electricity supply is not suitable for their requirements. The modern-day preference for... more
The majority of would-be buyers of Spanish property are aware of both the many services offered by a Surveyor, and of the importance of having a survey undertaken on any potential purchase... more
It is natural for people who own an investment property to want to rent it out, as the income derived can help to pay off the mortgage, add to your monthly income or provide a nest egg for the future.... more
Depending upon the type and situation of your chosen property, it can often mean that you are required to become part of an officially recognised Community of Owners (Comunidad de Propietarios). You... more
Anybody who has ever purchased a property in in Spain will at some time have heard of "the Boletin" with regards to obtaining a supply of electricity, But what does this document entail ?... more
Much has been written on the subject of Spanish Community of Residents (Comunidad de Propietarios), specifically what they entail and their responsibilities... more
In these times of austerity – and escalating energy prices – it stands to reason that the prudent owner of property in Spain is interested in seeking ways to reduce their Electricity Bills... more
The various expat forums have recently been awash with confusion surrounding the introduction of a new law to take effect from the 1st of June 2013, whereby property owners must legally obtain a... more
Industry insiders love to use jargon, and often this can only serve to confuse the rest of us - here are just a few of the common terms and phrases that you may come across..... more
It might sometimes seem idyllic to live in a Rural Finca, miles off the beaten track and Far from the Madding Crowd, and quite often it is some weeks after making such a purchase that you come to... more
It is often taken for granted that all members of the legal community act professionally, ethically and with integrity at all times. Expats who are newly arrived in Spain often find themselves... more
Spain has two completely different Government Agencies that are responsible for the registration of your property: The Cadastre and The Registro de la Propiedad. As such you, or your Lawyer needs to... more
Anyone who either owns or is planning to buy property in Spain needs to know about the Catastral value of the property... more
Those living in Spain will be all-too familiar with the process of resetting a tripped switch in their electricity supply fuse box for a variety of reasons, however, with the increase in the... more
Just how bad does the wiring have to be before a Spanish property needs rewiring... more
IBI (Impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles urbana / rustica) is a tax that is payable by the owners of all Spanish properties - regardless of their residential status.
The request for payment... more
What is a "Lifetime Loan" and am I eleigible to apply for one ... more