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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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First step to regulate prices for housing with services and student residences

First step to regulate prices for housing with services and student residences

19/02/2025 - 17:37

Housing. The by-law has been initially approved by the Commission for Ecology, Urban Planning, Mobility and Housing.

February’s session by the Commission for Ecology, Urban Planning, Mobility and Housing gave initial approval to the by-law to regulate affordable prices for facilities with services and student residences, both public and private. The goal is to help towards quality temporary accommodation options that are inclusive and accessible for young people, students, researchers, vulnerable people and the elderly.

The new by-law will specify the usage framework, the allocation criteria and the length of the stay, according to the type of accommodation.

Types of accommodation with services included in the by-law

  • Complete: for the private use of all spaces.
  • With communal spaces: in addition to private spaces, these have communal spaces.
  • Collective residence: accommodation with individual and double rooms, with community spaces and services for users.

The maximum prices for these types of facilities will be the same as those for officially protected rental homes.

Limit on the construction of large student residences

The by-law also limits the creation of large new student residences, which will not be able to exceed 350 places. These may not be located in the city centre nor the belt surrounding it, only in areas with a limit on the radial distance between residences.

The maximum monthly price for residences of less than 200 places is set at 705 euros for an individual room and 633 euros for a double room.

The maximum monthly prices for residences of between 200 and 350 places is set at 645 euros for an individual room and 574 euros for a double room.