Tanca Tanca

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.​

    • Summary of the ENHR 2022 Annual Conference
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  • The international conference European Network for Housing Research (ENHR), held in Barcelona

    The 34th edition of the annual ENHR conference took place in Barcelona, under the title 'Barcelona ENHR 2022. The Struggle for the Right to Housing. Pressures of Globalization and Affordability in Today's Cities'. This annual conference focuses its research axes on the various internal and external factors that come into play in the right to housing and hinder the guarantees of this necessary right. The event was held from August 30th to September 2nd.

    The opening day on August 30th began with the New Housing Researchers Colloquium (NHRC) aimed at researchers currently working on doctoral theses related to housing, providing an opportunity to seek critical mentorship for their work. Following that, from August 31st to September 2nd, the annual conference of the European Network for Housing Research (ENHR) platform took place, gathering professionals in housing research and specialized sectors to meet, discuss approaches and findings, and compare policies from different European countries.

    During the event, attendees were able to participate in workshops led by other researchers in the field of housing, as well as in plenary sessions that covered numerous topics, such as: 

    • Plenary Session 1: Housing under the rule of finance in global cities
    • Plenary Session 2: Reconstruction: reform and recovery in Europe​
    • Plenary Session 3: Rent control: models, evidence, and debates​
    • Plenary Session 4: New urban challenge: how tourism and gentrification are changing cities
    • Plenary Session 5: Facing the green challenge: innovative designs for creating sustainable housing

    This year's edition was organized by the Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation (IMHAB) of the Barcelona City Council and is the homonymous platform that brings together institutions and housing professionals from within and outside of Europe. The Barcelona Metropolitan Housing Observatory (OMHB), the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB), and the Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA) also collaborated in the event.

    Discover each day of the ENHR

    New housing sector researchers gather at NHRC

    The New Housing Researchers Colloquium (NHRC) is a networking and mentoring day for new housing projects, part of the European Network for Housing Research (ENHR) annual conference.

    International meeting of housing experts and professionals

    The first day of the ENHR annual conference highlights the realities and challenges that European cities face regarding the need and right to housing.

    Rental control debated on the second day of the ENHR

    During the second day of the ENHR, workshops and a new plenary session have been held, where the background, policies, and data behind measures to regulate rental prices in different European cities have been presented.

    New challenges of tourism and sustainable housing under discussion

    The third day of the ENHR international conference addresses the challenges faced by European cities, such as tourism and gentrification, as well as sustainable housing design.

    Organization of the ENHR

    Peter Boelhouwer

    President of the European Network for Housing Research

    He explains what ENHR brings to cities and how COVID-19 has changed the housing model in Europe.

    Montserrat Pareja-Eastaway

    Vice President of the European Network for Housing Research and Professor of Economics at the University of Barcelona​

    She explains why Barcelona is a suitable venue to host the ENHR.

    Javier Burón

    Housing Manager of the Barcelona City Council​

    He explains what Barcelona can contribute to the European Network for Housing Research.

    Expert opinions at ENHR

    Raquel Rolnik

    Professor of Urban Planning at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of São Paulo

    She explains how globalization impacts the real estate market of a city like Barcelona and what housing model she proposes for the future.

    Alice Pittini

    Research Director at the federation 'Housing Europe'​

    She explains how to promote affordable housing in Europe.

    Josh Ryan-Collins

    Professor of Economics and Finance (University College of London, UCL)

    He explains which housing model is the most efficient for the city of Barcelona.

    New Researchers

    Mireia Sender Martí

    Researcher at the Barcelona Metropolitan Housing Observatory (O-HB)​

    She explains how to promote social housing and the strengths and weaknesses of the housing proposal in Catalonia.

    Gonzalo Piasek

    Doctoral researcher at the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB)​

    He explains his study and how to reverse the processes of overcrowding in Barcelona.