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.​

A new information session has been called for the tender to build 350 subsidized housing

10/02/2025 - 12:09

Housing. At the meeting, technical and legal representatives from IMHAB will explain the details of the tender, while members of the potential bidding companies will be able to clarify any doubts they may have.

Following the success of the first call for tenders, the Municipal Institute for Housing and Renovation of Barcelona (IMHAB) is organising a new information session on the open call for tenders for the construction of a surface right over several municipal plots of land to be used for the promotion, construction and management of 350 rented social housing units.

The meeting will be held on Thursday 20 February at 13:00 at the IMHAB headquarters (24, Doctor Aiguader Street). Interested companies will be informed about the specifications, the procurement process and the basic issues of the project, and participants will be able to clarify any doubts they may have about the conditions of the public tender. To participate, it is necessary to fill in the registration form.

Open competition to increase public housing stock

The Barcelona City Council, through IMHAB, will transfer the surface rights of three plots of land to private entities, with or without a profit motive, for a period of 75 years (extendable to 90 years). The three plots are located in the districts of La Marina del Prat Vermell (calle del Acer, 2-4; and calle de Ascó, 17-27) and Diagonal Mar i el Front Marítim del Poblenou (calle de Llull, 355-363).

The evaluation of the proposals submitted will be based on criteria of social support, architectural quality, sustainability and industrialisation, with priority given to energy efficiency and reduction of the carbon footprint. There are also plans to set up a social commission between the parties involved to monitor conflicts, late payments or misuse of the homes.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027.

El Pla Viure

Actions such as these are part of the Pla Viure, the new strategic line of mandate in the field of housing, created with the aim of organising and making more efficient the resources allocated to this public service and creating a framework that allows this right to be made effective.

The main objectives of this work are

  • Universalising the right to housing: increasing the stock of affordable and social housing.
  • Renovating and improving housing: sustainability, accessibility and comfort.
  • Addressing vulnerability: the demographic challenge and life stages.