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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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The Barcelona Social Housing Council holds the first meeting of the New Housing Plan Working Group

The Barcelona Social Housing Council holds the first meeting of the New Housing Plan Working Group

12/07/2024 - 14:45

Housing. The New Housing Plan Working Group has started the process of preparing the guidelines for the new plan and has reviewed how the old plan was developed.

As the Right to Housing Plan expires next year, the Barcelona Social Housing Council (CHSB) has convened the first meeting of the New Housing Plan Working Group (PDHB). The meeting, which took place on Thursday 11 July, was aimed at starting the participation process to define the lines of action of the future plan and to reflect on the development of the previous plan.

The working group has identified three main objectives for the participatory process.

  • To universalise the right to housing by increasing the affordable and social stock.
  • To renovate and improve housing according to criteria of sustainability, accessibility and comfort.
  • Addressing vulnerability, the demographic challenge and life stages.

In addition to this meeting, sessions have been planned focusing on a specific theme and groups (renovation, care for the vulnerable, childhood, youth, adulthood and the elderly), as well as meetings with CHSB entities to address specific problems, seek innovative solutions and align the initiatives of the entities with the new PDHB.

Assessment of the Right to Housing Plan 2016-2023

The Group has evaluated the application of the Plan in force so far. In general, 50% of the planned actions have been implemented, 26% are in progress and 20% have been started or have not been implemented.

With regard to measures to prevent and combat housing emergency and housing exclusion, it is worth highlighting the creation of the Intervention Service for Loss of Housing and Employment (SIPHO), the strengthening of the remaining municipal mediation services, the implementation of the ten energy advice centres and the strengthening of the Housing Offices teams.

In order to guarantee the correct use of housing, the first census of empty dwellings in the city and the Metropolitan Housing Observatory (OH-B) were created, as well as the creation of the Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation of Barcelona (IMHAB). It is also worth highlighting the declaration of Barcelona as a stressed housing market area.

In the period 2016-2023, 1,492 homes have been acquired, 11 plots of land have been allocated for cohousing and the ESAL Agreement and the first surface rights have been signed. Two APROP temporary housing blocks have also been built in Ciutat Vella and Glòries-Meridiana. These and other measures, such as the receipt of 184 million euros from the European Investment Bank and the Development Bank of the European Council to finance new affordable housing developments, have made it possible to increase the stock of public housing in Barcelona.

Renovation has also played a prominent role during these years, thanks to the Neighbourhood Plan (with actions in the ten districts of the city) and the call for several lines of aid for housing renovation. The Municipal Renovation Office (ORM) was created with the aim of disseminating and facilitating support for renovation processes.

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