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.​

16/06/2023 - 15:11

Do you know how to register with the Barcelona Social Housing Applicants Register?

Housing. In a few steps, we explain how to register and be eligible for officially protected housing in the city of Barcelona.

12/06/2023 - 14:01

The PAE service of the Barcelona City Council, nominated for the Eurocities Awards

Housing. The Energy Advising Points, distributed in twelve offices throughout the city, provide knowledge to citizens on how to save...

12/06/2023 - 08:23

Barcelona bids farewell to ISHF as an international reference in housing

Housing. For three days, the Catalan capital has been a meeting point for proposals, reflections, and diverse initiatives related to...

08/06/2023 - 19:09

The defense of the right to housing, the focus of the second day of the ISHF

Housing. The state of social housing in Southern European countries, public-private partnerships, and housing renovation were the...

07/06/2023 - 20:19

Barcelona inaugurates the International Social Housing Festival with public policies at the center of the debate

Housing. Over 2,000 registered participants are taking part in the ISHF, which takes place from June 7th to 9th, with the presence of...

The International Social Housing Festival 2023 lands in Barcelona from June 7 to 9
02/06/2023 - 10:03

The International Social Housing Festival 2023 lands in Barcelona from June 7 to 9

Housing. The most important international congress on social housing in Europe will bring together around 2,000 attendees and hold...

The Barcelona City Council hands over the remaining keys to the affordable rental housing in Torre Baró
31/05/2023 - 16:51

The Barcelona City Council hands over the remaining keys to the affordable rental housing in Torre Baró

Housing. With the first keys delivered in March, the building is located on Avda. Escolapi Càncer now welcomes ten more neighbors,...

Emergency housing keys are handed over to five families in Barcelona
26/05/2023 - 17:32

Emergency housing keys are handed over to five families in Barcelona

Housing. On a monthly basis, the Barcelona Housing Consortium allocates homes to families in vulnerable situations through the...

Barcelona, the protagonist of the CIDEU study on the right to housing in Ibero-America
26/05/2023 - 14:27

Barcelona, the protagonist of the CIDEU study on the right to housing in Ibero-America

Housing. With the support of the Barcelona City Council, the Ibero-American Center for Urban Strategic Development (CIDEU) presents a...

Barcelona City Council hands over the keys to the new residents of the housing units in Jaume Giralt
23/05/2023 - 16:55

Barcelona City Council hands over the keys to the new residents of the housing units in Jaume Giralt

Housing. The building purchased by the city council, consisting of 15 housing units and located in the district of Ciutat Vella, is...