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.​

Aerial view of Barcelona
15/02/2024 - 12:41

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

Housing. The conference 'Demand and housing needs: today's challenges to access decent housing' will look at the evolution of housing...

07/02/2024 - 11:34

The list of social entities awarded housing for vulnerable groups has been published

Housing. The Barcelona Housing Consortium is allocating ten housing units to social organisations to help people in situations of...

02/02/2024 - 13:09

The book ‘Cohousing in Barcelona’ defends cooperative housing as an affordable and sustainable alternative

Housing. College of Architects of Catalonia hosted the presentation of the book with the project managers, who appreciated the...

Ceremony to lay the first stone of the new public housing in the area of the Trinitat Vella prison. Author: Laura Guerrero
31/01/2024 - 12:28

Work gets under way on the second public housing project in Trinitat Vella

Housing. Fifty-three protected homes will be built on the site of the former prison in Trinitat Vella.

30/01/2024 - 17:34

Barcelona City Council hands over the keys of emergency housing to five families

Housing. Every month, the Barcelona Housing Consortium hands over homes from the Social Rental Fund to families in vulnerable...

26/01/2024 - 12:59

‘Cohousing in Barcelona', the book that brings together the experiences of cooperatives in the city

Housing. The book gathers completed cooperative housing projects in concessionary use and presents buildings currently under...

25/01/2024 - 16:49

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

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

22/01/2024 - 16:40

Do you want to understand your water bill? We’re here to help!

Housing. It is essential to know and understand the key concepts of the water bill to determine if what we are paying corresponds to...

15/01/2024 - 15:53

Collaboration agreement with the Catalan government to build 1,700 social homes

Housing. The Catalan Land Institute will build 637 homes on the first eleven sites provided by the City Council.

28/12/2023 - 15:50

The Barcelona City Council hands over four sets of keys for emergency housing

Housing. The Barcelona Housing Consortium delivers homes from the Social Rental Fund to families in vulnerable situations every month.