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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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A transversal reflection on the new housing law, in the first issue of ‘Quaderns d’Habitatge’

A transversal reflection on the new housing law, in the first issue of ‘Quaderns d’Habitatge’

06/05/2025 - 13:03

It is presented at the FHAR ‘Quaderns d’Habitatge’, a monographic publication with the new housing law as the first topic in the inaugural issue.

Within the framework of the FHAR, the 1st edition of this new monographic publication on housing news will be presented  

 

 The new law of housing, protagonist of the first issue of ‘Quaderns d’Habitatge’  

The new housing law will be the central axis of the inaugural number of ‘Housing Notebooks’, an in-depth analysis and a review of how this legislation, approved in May 2023, represents a turning point in housing policy in Spain and, consequently, also in Barcelona. This first issue addresses initiatives to promote public housing, limit the rental price, protection against evictions or the declaration of tense areas.  

Thus, a review is made of the current housing situation and the impact that the new law has had on the Catalan capital. It also analyzes the challenges presented by the new housing policy in different areas and that must be faced from all administrative levels, the tax benefits provided by the new rule and, ultimately, all aspects that affect both public and private initiative to guarantee access to decent housing for all citizens.  

‘Quaderns d’Habitatge’, the new monographic publication of the Barcelona City Council  

The official presentation of ‘Quaderns d’Habitatge’ will take place within the framework of the Barcelona Housing and Rehabilitation Forum (FHAR), next Thursday, May 8. It is a new monographic publication promoted by the Barcelona City Council, through the Municipal Institute of Housing and Rehabilitation of Barcelona (IMHAB), which was born with the aim of dealing and reflecting on current affairs in housing, one of the great challenges of the city.  

Addressed to all citizens but, with special interest for professionals in the housing sector both in the public and private sphere, ‘Quaderns d’Habitatge’ will be available in physical and digital format, becoming a tool for reflection and knowledge on public policies and the social, economic and urban dynamics that condition access to housing. 

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