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.​

29/10/2024 - 15:24

Seven families from Barcelona receive keys to flats from the Emergency Board

Housing. The Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation of Barcelona has handed over apartments from the Social Rental Fund to...

28/10/2024 - 14:39

Half a thousand people visit industrialised public housing during the 48h Open House BCN Festival

Housing. As well as seeing the interiors of three brand new buildings, visitors were able to learn about the benefits of...

25/10/2024 - 11:59

IMHAB organises an information session on access to housing in the ‘Illa Glòries’ development

Housing. Residents of the Sant Martí district have been able to find out how to register in the Applicants Register for Officially...

25/10/2024 - 10:50

IMHAB participates in the 48h Open House BCN Festival by opening the doors of three industrialised public housing buildings

Housing. For the 15th edition of the architecture festival, which will take place on 26 and 27 October, the people of Barcelona will...

19/10/2024 - 13:51

Keys handed over for 42 flats with affordable rents in the neighbourhood of El Besòs i el Maresme

Housing. The families going to live in the flats will pay a social rent that does not exceed 30% of their income.

18/10/2024 - 12:40

Winning project for the Casetes d’Encarnació: 15 publicly owned homes and a new public square

The project includes the construction of fifteen homes with services, a new public square around the two-hundred-year-old tree and a facility to be...

Oficina del Punt d'Assessorament Energètic de la Marina. Cartell a l'entrada del PAE
15/10/2024 - 15:41

Energy Advice Points attend to nearly 36,000 people

Housing. The service has attended to a total of 222,027 people since it was set up in 2016.

La primera tinenta d’alcaldia, Laia Bonet, i el coordinador del projecte WikiHousing, David Juárez, signen el conveni de col·laboració
14/10/2024 - 15:28

Agreement with WikiHousing to drive sustainable and affordable homes for young people

Housing. A block of four homes will be built in the neighbourhood of Poble-sec, with social rents.

14/10/2024 - 12:01

The renovation of a building in the Barceloneta to create 18 units of affordable housing is underway

Housing. The ‘Llar Barceloneta’ project, promoted by Fundació SALAS and Fundació Hàbitat 3, will renovate the building at 44 Joan de...

Aerial view of Ronda de la Universitat and Plaça de Catalunya. Author: Martí Petit
07/10/2024 - 13:54

World Habitat Day 2024 focuses on engaging young people in sustainable urbanisation

Housing. World Habitat Day is celebrated every year on the first Monday in October. This year, the focus was on the relationship...