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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.​

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Demand and needs for decent housing examined by experts at the Observatori Metropolità de l’Habitatge conference

Demand and needs for decent housing examined by experts at the Observatori Metropolità de l’Habitatge conference

15/02/2024 - 12:41

Housing. The conference 'Demand and housing needs: today's challenges to access decent housing' will look at the evolution of housing demand, its current and future challenges, and the situation of young people.

The housing market has undergone significant changes in recent years, in parallel with the social, economic and political changes that have taken place in our city and across the country. We are currently in a situation where demand for housing significantly outstrips supply, making it difficult for vulnerable people and certain groups, such as young people, to access decent housing.

The Observatori Metropolità de l’Habitatge de Barcelona (O-HB), in collaboration with the Universitat Internacional Menéndez Pelayo de Barcelona-Centre Ernest Lluch (CUIMPB), is organising the conference ‘Demand and housing needs: today’s challenges to access decent housing’ to analyse and discuss the population’s demand and needs for access to decent housing. It will take place on the 20th and 21st of February in Room 1 of the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB). Although it will take place in person, it will also be available for live streaming.

Over the course of two days, experts in the field and representatives from public administrations will examine the current and future characteristics of housing demand in terms of quality and quantity. In addition, other key aspects such as the impact of changes in the labour market, the growth of new types of demand and the housing policies of public administrations (Spanish, Catalan and Barcelona) will be considered.

Taking advantage of these meetings, the O-HB will present the laboratory ‘Housing Demand Survey in Catalonia 2024’.

Barcelona City Council will be represented by Joan Ramon Riera, Housing Commissioner (opening the conference on Tuesday 20 at 10am) and Gerard Capó, Director of the Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation of Barcelona (in the roundtable ‘A multi-level perspective on housing policies to facilitate access for young people’, Wednesday 21 at 12pm).

Attendance is free and registration is required through the CUIMPB website, whether you wish to attend in person or follow the event live online.

More info