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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.​

Seven families receive the keys to flats from Barcelona’s emergency housing

27/02/2024 - 15:38

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

Barcelona City Council, through the Barcelona Housing Consortium, has handed over the keys to emergency housing to 7 families in the city. The houses are located in the districts of Ciutat Vella (3), Horta-Guinardó (1) and Sants-Montjuïc (3).

The event, which takes place once a month, took place on Tuesday 27th February at the offices of the Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation of Barcelona (IMHAB), on Doctor Aiguader Street, and was attended by the Housing Commissioner, Joan Ramon Riera.

In addition to completing the necessary procedures, families and beneficiaries received an orientation on coexistence and mediation.

Homes to address situations of social and economic vulnerability

Before receiving emergency housing, families must follow a series of preliminary steps, starting with scheduling an appointment at the Barcelona Housing Office and requesting the Emergency Board to assess the case and provide a report. Once all files are received, an analysis is conducted to allocate the available homes.

Social Rental Fund homes are intended for:

  • Residential exclusion households (such as those facing eviction due to rental debt, foreclosure, or settlement of mortgage debt).
  • Households with minors, the elderly, or individuals in precarious conditions of hygiene, health, or safety.

When there are more requests than available homes, the Board will allocate the housing as they are added to the Social Rental Fund until the next month’s Emergency Board meeting.

Information and regulations for the Emergency Board can be found on the Barcelona Housing Consortium’s website (CAT).