An independent lawyer who checks the legal status of the property, reviews contracts and protects the buyer’s interests during the purchase.

A formal declaration identifying the natural person who ultimately owns or controls a company involved in a transaction. A notary may require it when a company buys or sells property.

The professional appointed to administer a community of owners, including budgets, meetings, contractors, records and collection of community fees.

A legal recognition that may apply in Andalusia to certain buildings created without the required planning permission, or contrary to planning rules, when legal enforcement is no longer possible. It does not make the building fully legal.

Stamp duty that may apply to certain notarised documents, including many new-build purchases and mortgage deeds. The rate and who pays depend on the transaction and current law.

Spaces legally linked to a main property, such as a parking place, storage room or terrace, as described in the title deed and Land Registry.

A private deposit agreement used before completion. It normally records the price, deadline and conditions, but the legal consequences depend on the wording and type of arras agreed.

A guarantee issued by a bank to protect specified payments, commonly used for stage payments made during an off-plan purchase.

A technical certificate confirming key details and compliance of an electrical installation. Its formal name is Certificado de Instalación Eléctrica.

The process of transferring utility, community or service contracts into the new owner’s name after completion.

The formal removal of a repaid mortgage or other cancelled right from the Land Registry. Paying the final loan balance does not by itself erase the registered entry.

Mortgages, attachments, easements, restrictions or other rights that may affect a property. Many registered charges appear in the Nota Simple.

The administrative register describing a property for tax and mapping purposes. It records information such as location, use, surface area and cadastral value.

A certificate from a lender confirming that a mortgage loan has been fully repaid. It supports the later notarial and registry cancellation process.

A certificate stating whether the owner is up to date with payments owed to the community of owners, normally presented for the sale.

A certificate rating the energy efficiency of a property. It is generally required when a property is sold or rented, subject to limited exemptions.

The owners’ association responsible for shared elements and services in a building or residential development. Owners pay community fees and follow its statutes and approved rules.

The private contract setting out the agreed sale terms before the public deed is signed. It may include conditions, completion dates, inventory and consequences of default.

Official coordinate data used to define the precise position and shape of land or a building on a mapped reference system.

The percentage allocated to a property within a community of owners, generally used to determine voting rights and the owner’s share of common expenses.

A notarised declaration used to record a completed or under-construction building, extension or other qualifying works in the Land Registry.

An additional contribution approved by a community of owners to pay for exceptional works or costs not covered by the ordinary budget.

The legal document dividing a building or development into separate private properties and communal elements, usually assigning descriptions and participation quotas.

The investigation carried out before purchase into ownership, debts, planning, licences, taxes, community matters, contracts and the physical condition of the property.

The notarised public deed used to formalise the transfer of ownership. It identifies the parties, property, price and relevant legal declarations.

The registered rules governing the organisation, rights and obligations of owners within a community. Additional internal rules may regulate day-to-day use.

The statutory security deposit paid by a tenant under a rental agreement. Additional guarantees may also be agreed within the limits of applicable law.

The unique property unit recorded at the Land Registry, with its own registry number and legal description.

Regular amounts paid by owners toward the shared expenses of a building or development, based on the budget and applicable participation rules.

A loan secured against real estate and recorded at the Land Registry. If the borrower defaults, the lender may enforce the security under the applicable procedure.

The annual municipal property tax, generally calculated using the cadastral value. The registered owner is responsible under the applicable tax rules.

Spanish non-resident income tax. Non-resident owners may have filing obligations connected with rental income or the imputed income attributed to property kept for personal use.

A periodic technical inspection or building evaluation that may be required for older buildings, depending on regional and municipal rules.

Transfer tax generally paid by the buyer on a resale property. The applicable rules, taxable base and rate are set by the relevant autonomous community.

Spanish value-added tax. It commonly applies to the first sale of a new home by a developer instead of ITP, together with other potential taxes and costs.

Spain’s Urban Leases Act, which regulates many residential and commercial rental agreements. The rules differ according to the type and date of the contract.

Municipal authorisation for building, extension or renovation works. The type of licence or prior declaration required depends on the works and local rules.

The recorded or physical boundaries separating a property from neighbouring land, roads or communal areas.

The municipal first-occupation authorisation or equivalent control confirming that a completed building may be occupied in accordance with the applicable procedure.

The written specification describing materials, finishes, installations and equipment promised for a new-build property.

The Spanish tax form commonly used by non-residents to declare certain Spanish-source income, including property rental income, imputed property income or some gains.

The identification number assigned to a foreigner for official and financial dealings in Spain. Foreign buyers normally need one to complete a property purchase and pay taxes.

An informative Land Registry extract showing the registered description, owners and many registered charges or restrictions at the date of issue.

A public official who verifies identity, capacity and legality when the public deed is signed and gives the deed public authenticity.

The official alphanumeric identifier used to locate a property in the Spanish Cadastre.

A municipality’s general urban planning instrument, or its applicable successor under current regional planning law, setting broad land classifications and development rules.

A municipal tax connected with the transfer of urban land, calculated under statutory rules. In a normal sale it is generally the seller’s responsibility, subject to the circumstances.

A notarised document authorising another person, often a lawyer, to act on specified matters such as obtaining an NIE, signing contracts or completing a purchase.

The person or company promoting a construction or development project and arranging its planning, financing, construction and sale.

The legal regime combining private ownership of an individual unit with co-ownership of common elements in a building or development.

The public registry recording ownership and registered rights or charges over property. Registration provides important legal protection after completion.

An agreement, often with a reservation payment, intended to take a property off the market while the next steps are prepared. Terms vary widely.

When the seller is non-resident for Spanish tax purposes, the buyer is generally required to withhold 3% of the agreed price and pay it to the Spanish tax authority on account of the seller’s potential capital-gains tax.

A legal right or burden allowing use of, access over or restrictions upon another property, for example a right of way, drainage or utility access.

A detailed list of defects, unfinished items or deviations identified before or around handover of a new-build property.

A legal change involving an existing mortgage, such as changing lender or, in some transactions, a buyer taking over a developer’s or seller’s loan position subject to approval.

Land classified under planning law as rural or non-developable, with uses and building rights that may be substantially restricted.

The constructed floor area measured using the applicable criteria and often including walls and, in some descriptions, a share of communal elements.

The floor area that can actually be used inside a property, generally excluding the footprint of structural and enclosing elements under the applicable measurement method.

A local charge for waste collection or treatment. The amount and billing method depend on the municipality.

A professional assessment of a property’s value. A lender usually commissions or requires an approved valuation when considering a mortgage.

A right allowing one person to use and benefit from property owned by another person, subject to the terms and duration of that right.

An administrative value assigned by the Cadastre and used as a basis for several property-related taxes and charges. It is not the same as the market price.

A value determined by the Cadastre that can form the minimum taxable base for certain property transfer and inheritance taxes, subject to the applicable rules and challenge procedures.

Serious defects that were not apparent on ordinary inspection and may give rise to remedies if the legal requirements and deadlines are met.

Officially protected housing subject to public-law conditions that may restrict eligibility, sale price, rental or transfer for a defined period.

A dwelling offered for short-term tourist accommodation and subject to tourism, planning, community and registration requirements. In Andalusia, eligibility and operating conditions must be checked before advertising or renting.

An element owned or used collectively within a building or development, such as gardens, pools, roofs, façades, lifts or access ways.