Tanca Tanca

Housing Glossary

You will find information here on all topics relating to housing in Barcelona

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Accrued interest

The interest applied as a penalisation when the debtor does not comply with repayment obligations. The amount must be established in the contract.

Active supermortgage

This allows the client to choose their loan's benchmark index (MIBOR at three months, six months or a year) so that payment can benefit from lower interest rates sooner.

Adaptable instalment

Characteristic of UCI superloans that allow the borrower to not pay one instalment a year for the first three years if there are problems due to holidays, extraordinary expenses, etc.

Advanced cancellation fee

A commission arising from the financial risk involved in the advanced cancellation of an operation. The applied commission compensates the financial institution for its financial losses.

AEDE

Direct state aid for paying the deposit on a property.

Affordable housing

Group of social housing or dwellings from social renovation projects that are sold or rented at below-market prices.

Affordable rent

The cost of renting these dwellings is below market prices after being included in operations concerning the rented flat pool, social renovation or social housing promotions.

Amortisation

Payment made to repay a loan.

Amortisation period

The duration of the loan. The contract establishes the date of the first and last payments. The longer the period, the lower the payments are, but the higher the interest. You therefore pay more in the end. The monthly instalment should not exceed 35% of your net income.

API

Estate agent. A qualified professional who acts as an intermediary between the two interested parties to facilitate the signing of a real estate contract, which can be a rental agreement, a sales agreement or another similar contract. They usually charge a percentage of the sales price as compensation or commission.

Applicant

A citizen who makes a registration application to the Barcelona Social Housing Applicants Registry, and who represents the other members of the dwelling unit included in the application.

APR

Annual Equivalent Rate. Effective annual cost of the mortgage in terms of interest, commissions and the repayment period. To compare loans, it is not enough to just look at the lowest APR, you also have to compare the conditions, the repayment period and the distribution of instalment payments.

Arbitri municipal de plusvàlua

Former denomination of the capital gains tax on landed property.

Assessment

The value of a dwelling certified by a specialised assessment company, in accordance with the mortgage market law. This certificate not only indicates the real value of the property, it also serves as a reference for obtaining the necessary financing.

Authorisation

Document in which the owner authorises the tenant to carry out building work in the dwelling's interior.

Close glossary
  1. Home
  2. Latest news
  3. Over a thousand protected homes on sites for non-profit organisations

Over a thousand protected homes on sites for non-profit organisations

Over a thousand protected homes on sites for non-profit organisations

18/11/2025 - 11:59

Housing. Some 60% will be rental homes, with 40% in leaseholds with cooperative projects.

The ESAL agreement reaches its aim of 1,000 protected homes on municipal sites used by social organisations. The three stages completed and the two in progress will surpass the goal set in 2020 and continue adding to the stock of affordable housing in the city, with 60% rental homes and 40% leaseholds with cooperatives.

The three stages of the agreement account for 611 protected homes shared around 17 different developments. A further 99 come with the fourth stage, currently being awarded. In parallel, stages five and six have a further seven sites defined, allowing for roughly 344 homes to be added.

Stage 5

  • Carrer de Bolívia, 5-9 (Sant Martí): 54 homes
  • Carrer del Rec Comtal, 19B (Ciutat Vella): 19 homes
  • Carrer dels Ferrocarrils Catalans, 12-12E (Sants-Montjuïc): 17 homes
  • Avinguda d’Escolapi Càncer, 19-25 (Nou Barris): 60 homes

Stage 6

  • Passeig de Marta Mata, 1-5 (Sant Andreu): 55 homes
  • Carrer de Bolívia, 231 (Sant Martí): 102 homes

The city should reach 1,054 homes ceded since the start of the ESAL agreement, surpassing ahead of time the established commitment of sites for 1,000 in the period up to 2030. Work is currently in progress with organisations for a new ESAL, expected for 2027, to continue adding housing in the city and guaranteeing the right to decent housing.

ESAL agreement, homes for social promotors in the city

There are currently 11 developments in progress with a total of 391 homes, plus various other projects with permits granted or making their way through the administrative process. Notable projects include the completion of 44 homes with affordable rents in C/ Sant Martí, in El Raval, and the future Llar Barceloneta, with 18 renovated homes in Pg. Joan de Borbó. Work is also progressing on 36 rental homes in Av. Vallcarca and construction recently began on the 62 cooperative and inclusive homes at Ca l’Ordit, at the former Casernes de Sant Andreu.

The rollout of the ESAL agreement forms part of the Pla Viure, which backs new tools and collaboration to increase the public housing stock and guarantee access to decent housing in Barcelona.

 

Related links

More info