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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.​

‘Jo et cuidaré’: a story to accompany evicted families with children

25/01/2024 - 16:49

Social Services. The book is the result of work by a group of neighbourhood women from El Raval who suffered eviction proceedings and have explained their experiences.

The Raval Sud Social Services Centre has published the children's story ‘Jo et cuidaré’ [I’ll look after you], explaining a social reality which unfortunately is experienced by many families: evictions. The book is the result of work by a group of neighbourhood women from El Raval who suffered eviction proceedings and have explained their experiences.

The initiative began in 2019, when the affected families demanded help with explaining to their children what the eviction would mean. In a dialogue with those affected, the writer Anna Manso developed the plot to be narrated. The illustrations of Teresa Herrero also came as a result of work done jointly with the women in the participatory group. The story is translated into Bengali, Urdu, Arabic and Tagalog.

The story will be presented at five schools in the neighbourhood which get support from the programme for social educators in schools and at four open centres, so that staff can work with it in the classroom with children. In addition, the Biblioteca Sant Pau will be offering a space for all schoolchildren in the neighbourhood to be able to hear the story, and there’s also a chance to visit an exhibition with the illustrations from the story at the Raval Sud Social Services Centre.

Printed copies of Jo et cuidaré will be distributed by public services and social organisations in the neighbourhood and it is also available in a digital version.