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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.​

The IMHAB exhibition on industrialised housing is now installed at the Escola del Treball

06/05/2024 - 16:26

Housing. Anyone who wants to understand industrialised construction and gain an insight into current and future urban projects must visit the exhibition in the lobby of the Escola del Treball before the end of June.

Industrialised construction is an innovative system that allows new housing to be built in less time, based on a much more sustainable process. This means saving costs, optimising construction processes and producing less waste. In this type of construction, the parts needed are manufactured in a workshop and then transported and assembled at their final location.

A key feature is the integrated project and construction management system, where architects and contractors work together from the start of the project. This approach optimises the workflow, facilitates the involvement of several companies and allows the use of innovative construction techniques.

In order to provide citizens with a comprehensive insight into this more adaptable and efficient construction method, the Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation of Barcelona (IMHAB) is organising an exhibition, which is currently on display in the lobby of the Escola del Treball, located in the Escola Industrial area (Comte d’Urgell street, 187, building 11). The exhibition is open from 8.00 to 14.00 and from 16.00 to 22.00 and will be open until the end of June.

Hosted by the Department of Construction and Public Works of the Escola del Treball, the exhibition explores the reasons behind Barcelona’s commitment to industrialised housing, the challenges it faces, reviews of completed projects and previews of those to come.

Industrial housing in Barcelona

In order to speed up the construction of public housing in the city, the City Council has adopted the system of industrialised housing in various projects, including the APROP flats already realised.

Provisional Proximity Housing (APROP) is a fast-track housing scheme made from shipping containers, designed for people facing a housing emergency. These dwellings are built with speed, sustainability and quality in mind, and their modular nature allows them to be easily dismantled and relocated within the city as needed.

There are currently two operational APROP buildings in the city: one in Ciutat Vella and the other in Glòries, with a total of 54 homes.

In addition, 328 permanent social housing units will be built in the coming months using the industrialised housing method. These developments include 5 buildings in the Sant Martí district and 2 in Sant Andreu.