What you should check first when you are interested in buying a house in Barcelona

1 - Check the land registry extract to confirm who owns the property and whether there are any registered charges.

In the registry extract, you can see if there are mortgages, liens, usage restrictions, easements, and so on. If the seller sends you the registry extract, make sure it is up to date. Given the low cost, it is worth requesting it yourself at sede.registradores.org.

2 - Certificate of Habitability.

Make sure you are actually buying a legal dwelling. Check that the certificate is still valid.

3 - Technical building inspection, known as the ITE. 

In Barcelona, many buildings are over 45 years old, so ask for the ITE report to see whether the building has any defects and whether they have been fixed.

4 - Homeowners’ association minutes and certificate confirming payments are up to date. 

You can speak with the building administrator (with the current owner’s authorization), to learn about the building’s situation: Are there owners who are behind on payments? Problematic neighbors? Planned works? Approved renovation budgets? 

Some works, such as repairing facades or roofs, can be expensive. 

Also, some buildings built in the 1960s and 1970s have structural aluminosis, caused by high-alumina cement. In many cases, these buildings need major structural repairs. It is worth knowing the situation before buying.

5 - Urban planning status.

Check any planning restrictions with the city council, as they do not always appear in the registry extract. Ask for the urban planning certificate.

6 - Find out whether the property is vacant, rented out, or occupied. 

Depending on its status, the price can vary significantly. 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us