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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.

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Municipal service expanded to strengthen community life in public housing estates

29/08/2025 - 12:16

Housing. The SIBEC now operates in five districts: Sants-Montjuïc and Sant Martí, newly included, and with reinforced provision in Ciutat Vella, Sant Andreu and Nou Barris.

The Intervention Service for Wellbeing in Communities (SIBEC) is being expanded to improve relations, cohesion and wellbeing on the city’s public housing estates. The move will extend support to more communities with a closer, more specialised approach, particularly in neighbourhoods with greater social and urban diversity. For the first time, the service will cover the districts of Sants-Montjuïc and Sant Martí, while also increasing its presence in Ciutat Vella, Sant Andreu and Nou Barris.

Three new teams are being set up, bringing total staff to 18 professionals: one coordinator, eleven social workers and six newly created building supervisors, a role designed to improve maintenance and assess community needs. Altogether, SIBEC will now run eight intervention teams.

Prevention and community support

The service aims to anticipate and prevent problems in housing blocks with high levels of social and urban diversity. Since its launch in June 2023, SIBEC has worked in 46 communities covering more than 1,000 homes. In 2024 alone, it has conducted 2,590 interventions, including social reports, identification of maintenance issues and referrals to other council services. It has also organised 24 community activities to encourage participation and strengthen neighbourhood ties.

A commitment to local social management

The SIBEC is based on a preventative, community-focused and inclusive model that promotes shared responsibility and resident participation. Its teams work closely with social services, local organisations and safety representatives, focusing on mediation, fostering good relations and monitoring building upkeep.

The SIBEC expansion is part of Pla Viure, the city’s long-term strategy that puts housing at the centre of public policy. The plan is built around three main goals: making the right to housing universal, renovating and improving the housing stock with sustainability and accessibility criteria, and addressing the needs arising from social and demographic vulnerability.