Property sale in Spain

A little list of key Spanish legal terms, with a simple translation in English:

Abogado - Lawyer. That’s an easy one which most people know already.

Acta - A document signed before a Notary when adding a property to the land register.

Agrupacion – The process of combining various plots of land.

Arras – Deposit (commonly appears in a rental agreement so check whether it is returnable or not).

Boletin de enganche - Certificate provided by an electrician who has the necessary Spanish qualifications. This certificate is a precondition for getting access to electrical power, and is essential when purchasing off-plan.

Certificado final de Obra – Official certificate from an Architect confirming the building work has been completed.

Colegio oficial de Arquitectos – Professional body which governs the conduct of architects.

Communidad de Propietarios - Community of owners in an urbanization, similar in some ways to a Management Company in the UK.

Contrato de arrendamiento - Rental contract.

Contrato de opcion - A contractual option that may be exercised at a future date.

Copropietarios - Co-owners.

Declaracion de obra nueva - A deed signed before a Notary confirming the construction of new buildings. This may need to be done where an Escritura is out of date.

Embargo - Seizure or legal charge. Important to check whether land or property has an embargo registered against it.

Escritura de Compraventa - A certificate of purchase issued by a Notary.

Fianza - Security bond or deposit – once again important to check whether this is returnable or not.

Finca – Plot of land, either with or without buildings.

Hacienda publica – Tax office

Hipoteca - Mortgage.

I.B.I – Local real estate tax, often incorrectly referred to as the Suma tax.

Impuesto de actos juridicos documentados - Stamp duty.

Impuesto de transmisiones patrimoniales - Transfer tax (currently 7% subject to certain exceptions) of the amount declared in the escritura.

Impuesto sobre el patrimonio - Wealth tax.

Impuesto sobre sucesiones y donaciones - Death duty and inheritance tax.

Impuestos municipales - Municipal or local taxes.

IVA (Impuesto Sobre el Valor Anadido) - Value added tax which varies according to the service provided or goods sold.

Licencia de obras – Permission to commence building – essential when purchasing off-plan.

Memoria de Calidades – Detailed building specifications.

NIE (Numero Personal de Indentificacion de Extranjero) – Similar in some ways to a National Insurance number in the UK. Essentially a tax identification number for foreigners.

Nota Simple Informativa - Land registry entry showing ownership and charges. A copy of an Escritura is not proof of current ownership.

Parcela - Plot of land.

Permiso de obra menor - Permission for small construction works.

Plan parcial - Partial development plan of a community or urbanisation.

Planta - Floor (i.e. in an apartment building).

Plus valia – A local tax calculated with reference to the increase in a property’s catastral value. Usually paid by the vendor.

Procurador – Similar in some ways to a barrister in the UK although without the silly headgear. The Procurador ensures that the court formalities are complied with, but takes a back seat role during the court hearing.

Propietario - Owner of property or possession.

Registro de la propiedad - Land registry (divided into many different sub registries).

S.A. (Sociedad Anonima) - Public limited company.

S.L. (Sociedad Limitada) – Private limited company.

Separacion a linderos - Minimum distance between neighbouring properties.

Servidumbre de transito – To use the old English term ‘Easment’ - Right of way/access rights.

Solar - Plot.

Suelo no urbanizable - Land protected from building.

Suelo urbanizable - Land that can be built on.

Suelo urbano - Urban or built up land.

Topografo – Land Surveyor

Traspaso - transfer of rental or lease contracts – commonly in respect of an established business. Care needs to be taken to ensure that the purchaser is not simply paying a large sum to take on a new lease.

Valor catastral - value of property as determined by the Catastro office.

Posted on July 11th, 2008 by Property sale in Spain
Filed under: Legal information