Agreements by the Joint Commission with the Government of Catalonia to improve access to housing

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.

City Council. Agreements were also reached on mobility rights, tax and security and justice.

The meeting by the Joint Commission between Barcelona City Council and the Government of Catalonia to revise the rollout of the Municipal Charter reaffirmed the shared goal of defending the right to housing with funding agreements and the acquisition of more affordable housing in the city. Agreements were also reached on mobility, tax and justice.

The following agreements were adopted:

Housing

Eighty-eight million euros will be invested to fund the construction of 637 affordable homes in Barcelona through the Catalan Land Institute (INCASÒL) on 11 municipal sites. An agreement will be signed in the next three months to jointly fund the construction of 1,151 homes between 2025 and 2027.

Mobility

An agreement was reached to advance in extending the L4 metro line between La Pau and Sagrera TAV, the provision being for the final project to be tendered before the year is out. While this extension will only be for a further 3 km, it should considerably improve connectivity between the system and public transport, facilitating connections with the L1, L5 and L9 metro lines, the Rodalies local train network and the high-speed rail service.

Another agreement was reached to demand that the state administration turn the current contributions of 149 million euros into structural contributions for the maintenance and improvement of public transport through the new law on sustainable mobility.

Public taxes and budget

An agreement will see the Government of Catalonia start the process to amend Act 5/2017, of 28 March, on the Tax on Overnight Stays in Tourist Establishments (IEET). This amendment will allow for an increase in the limit on the tourist tax applicable in the city, from the current 4 euros up to a maximum of 8 euros, increasing the margin of municipal autonomy.

Justice

An agreement was reached to improve the infrastructure of the Ministry of Justice in the city, with building work to start on the new headquarters of the Barcelona Provincial Court in the district of Ciutat Vella.