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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

Housing offices only offer face-to-face assistance by prior appointment, so check out the “Housing calls you” service here to receive the most appropriate personalised assistance. If you also need assistance in energy rights, book an appointment with an energy-advice point (PAE) by clicking here. On the other hand, if you reside in an IMHAB public dwelling you can consult our contact, management and processing channels here.​

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Industrialised construction for more sustainable housing

Industrialised construction for more sustainable housing

19/10/2022 - 14:23

Housing. Wood is the main material used in five of the six buildings.

Work gets under way on six buildings using industrialised construction methods, five of which will be built with wood to gain numerous environmental and sustainability advantages. This building technique shortens construction time and reduces the environmental impact of housing during its lifespan.

The new industrialised buildings made from wood are in Sant Martí, in the streets of Pallars (42 flats), Binèfar (24 flats) and Dolors Iturbe (40 flats), and in Sant Andreu, with two blocks of 70 and 56 flats at the Casernes site. A block is also being built in C/ Marroc, regaining concrete with a three-dimensional module of 45 flats. In all, the developments mean 277 new flats built with industrialised processes and to be offered with public rents well below market prices.

The flats being built through industrialised construction enjoy numerous environmental advantages, such as:

  • lower energy demand for heating and cooling systems through passive measures (such as more insulation on the façade, protection of heat points, solar protection, intermediate spaces and natural cross-ventilation)
  • a highly efficient centralised climate control system
  • green rooftops which mitigate the effects of heat
  • lower demand for water thanks to the reuse of wastewater
  • generation of renewable energy through solar panels on the roof
  • significant passive protection of façades, made using materials with a low environmental impact

All this improves the environmental performance of the buildings, helping to reduce their ecological footprint and improve the quality of life of future tenants.

The buildings are an evolution from the APROP temporary housing modules, which were the city’s first step towards buildings with the lowest possible environmental impact as they are made with recycled shipping containers.

More info