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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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Welcome to the Barcelona Housing website

The right to housing is vital to the Barcelona City Council. Therefore, we have considered it a priority to make all the information regarding housing available to citizens in as clear a manner as possible.

We have gathered all the information, services and materials provided by the institutions that support the right to decent housing in Barcelona, in one place.

Here we will explain, among other questions, what grants are available for payment assistance or rehabilitation, which steps to take to access public housing, the procedures to aid people in case of housing emergency or services provided to help rent your apartment with guarantees.

This new site provides a meeting point in which to share and disseminate the right to housing as a key element of our city’s qualities and values. We hope you find it useful.

Political organisation chart

Executive organisation chart

Institutions offering you support

Housing, to date

Part of a promotional housing publication from Barcelona City Council

Publications

Barcelona City Council promotes a number of publications through which housing-related actions, services and policies are disseminated, along with key housing data.

Facade of the 'Illa Glòries' development

Pla Viure

Pla Viure defines the objectives, actions and services related to housing for the period 2025-2032.

Conferences and talks

Consult all the information, documents and audiovisual material from the various conferences, talks and congresses on housing that have been organised by Barcelona City Council.