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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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Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation

The entity that manages housing in Barcelona

Having access to decent housing is a basic right in a just society. At present market trends are denying part of the population access to decent and affordable housing. In this context it’s vital that public bodies enforce policies to defend their fundamental right.

The Municipal Government is working towards increasing the public housing stock to respond to the residential needs of the population. On one hand, reclaiming empty private properties and on the other promoting the building of new social rental housing. The City Council also wants to guarantee the quality of life of its citizens by boosting the improvement of the housing stock via implementing renovation and energy efficiency measures.

To carry out these policies the city has the IMHAB, the entity responsible for promoting the construction of public housing, managing the available housing stock, and promoting sustainable housing policies such as the renovation of apartments and buildings. As of 2023, the IMHAB manages a housing stock that exceeds 11,500 units in the city, which represents a significant increase compared to the 7,500 apartments registered in 2015. In parallel, the purchase of hundreds of apartments for public rental housing has also been promoted, as well as the launch of new innovation and renovation projects.

More information

IMHAB Services

Transparency

Right to Housing Plan
Participation and relationship with citizens
Right to the access of public information
Contractor profile

Organisation Chart

  • Gerard Capó Fuentes
    Manager of Barcelona’s Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation
  • Dolors Melero
    Secretary of the Board of Directors
    • Xavier González
      Economic and Financial Services / General Services
    • Isidre Costa
      Legal Services, Procurement and Heritage
    • Juan Carlos Melero
      Technical Services
    • Griselda Fernández
      Management Service / Public Stock
    • to be confirmed
      Housing Services / Private Stock

Institutions offering you support

Contact

IMHAB

The Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation offices are located at:

C/ Doctor Aiguader 26-36 - 08003 Barcelona

Opening hours

Information: From Monday to Friday, from 9.00 to 14.00 h. And Thursday afternoons, from 16.00 to 18.00 h.

Payment desk: For anything related to receipts and cash payments, the service hours are on Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1:30 pm, and Thursday, 4 pm to 6 pm (except May 1 to September 30).

On the last business day of the month, the cashier closes at 12:30 pm.

Special schedule: Between the months of May and September, both inclusive, closed in the afternoons.

By phone

- Public attention: 932 915 404

- Maintenance Services : 932 915 411

- Aparcaqui: 932 915 424

- City Council information hotline: 010

On the Internet

Acces the City Council's online attention channel.