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

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.​

Energy transformation and the Next Generation Funds are the protagonists of the REhabilita technical conference

18/01/2023 - 15:21

Housing. The energy renovation of buildings and the boost provided by European funds will be the main points of discussion at the REhabilita technical seminar, which will take place on January 24 in an on-site and online format.

Confronting the climate crisis and energy prices is a global priority. And the solution involves, in part, promoting the energy renovation of buildings. Around this framework, next January 24 will take place a new edition of REhabilita, an initiative promoted by the College of Technical Architecture of Barcelona (Cateb) has a strategic committee formed, among other representatives, by the Barcelona City Council.

Since 2014, REhabilita has established itself as the annual renovation event for the construction sector. A meeting point that seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of renovation, transfer knowledge among professionals and transform the sector.

This year’s technical conference, which will be led by journalist Elisenda Camps, will consist of four blocks, where several topics will be discussed, such as the day-to-day work of local housing and renovation offices and innovative territorial actions focused on the energy transition. In parallel, there will also be a sample of real examples of buildings that have been energetically renovated, which will serve to analyze how the process has been carried out, what obstacles have been encountered, among other points of interest.

The event on Tuesday, January 24 will take place from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and will be held in two formats: online and on-site. For the latter, where places will be limited, it will take place at the Auditori Espai Francesca Bonnemaison (C. Sant Pere Més Baix, 7, Barcelona). For both formats, prior registration is required.

Next Generation funds as a springboard

This year’s edition seeks to highlight the value of renovation by focusing on the Next Generation funds, promoted by the European Union. Among other axes, the funds seek to promote the reduction of energy consumption in buildings. And, therefore, subsidize those actions that seek to reduce both the demand for non-renewable primary energy and energy consumption, such as those carried out by the Barcelona City Council.

In this sense, the Next Generation Funds are an unbeatable opportunity to achieve the European guidelines in this field, as well as representing a great economic opportunity and professional growth for all the agents involved. A favorable context that, despite everything, also has certain obstacles to overcome, such as the lack of knowledge of the advantages on the part of the owners and the citizens themselves, as well as the scope of the aid and the complexity of the administrative procedures. Challenges that, precisely, will be put on the table in this technical conference to find solutions and answers.

The Barcelona City Council is making significant efforts to offer its citizens different aids aimed at improving their homes. Renovation is not only about maintaining and preserving the urban and architectural fabric: renovation also improves the efficiency and quality of life of people and regenerates the image, coexistence, and social cohesion of neighborhoods, towns, and cities, facilitating the generation of local jobs and access to decent housing.