5 Things to do When Buying Property on The Costa del Sol
When buying a property in Spain, at Aqua Estates we advise our clients to follow this simple five-point plan.
1. Viewing property in Costa del Sol
When a client falls in love with a property, we always advise them to return for another viewing and to make the appointment for a different time of day. For example, an east-facing home seen in the morning will be filled with sunshine, but in the afternoon that sun will have disappeared. If the terrace is facing the east and you want to spend afternoons outdoors, will this property really suit you?
2. Explore the location in Costa del Sol
We also recommend that buyers spend a good deal of time exploring the location and finding out where shops, healthcare services and schools are in relation to a property. Also, if it is possible, chat to a few locals and find out as much as you can about the community and what is available in terms of leisure and entertainment.
3. Essential documents
When you are buying a property in Spain, the seller must provide you with a number of documents. The most essential is the Nota Simple. This is a report from the Property Registry that gives you all the details about the property.
Listed in the Nota Simple, you will find the following:
– Name of the current owner
– How the land is classified
– The boundaries of the plot
– If the property has any debts against it, often mortgage or unpaid taxes
– The total square metres of the land and the property
– Any rights others may have in relation to the property, such as water, sewage lines and public paths/roads.
It is important to note that in Spain, debts are often tied to a property rather than the owner. Your lawyer should be looking for any debts and should resolve them with the seller immediately, or as a new owner, you may be liable for them. To obtain a Nota Simple for a property, you will need to give your lawyer the address of the property and the province it is in.
You will also need the Escritura, or Title Deed. This is the deed held by the Land registry showing ownership and must have been signed and sealed by a Notary. Sellers will also need to show their latest receipts for Community fees, as well as the annual IBI tax and for the ‘Basura’, which is the rubbish collection tax.
4. The cost of utilities
Perhaps the cost of utilities isn’t the first thing you think about when buying a Spanish property, but it is advisable to see the outgoings for light, heat, gas and water in advance, and to look at the bills for the summer and winter periods in particular. The seller should be able to provide you with copies of bills and explain them to you. Also, all properties need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which rates a property according to its consumption of electricity, water and gas, and the seller must provide a copy.
5. Independent legal advice
We cannot stress enough the importance of having independent legal advice when you’re buying a Spanish property. There are good reasons for retaining the services of an independent lawyer, rather than one recommended by a property developer or other agent, and first among these is that a legal representative hired by you is obliged to act in your best interests, not the interests of anyone else.
We hope you found this helpful, and if Aqua Estates can advise you on any other matter, including finding you your dream property on the Costa del Sol – please contact us.
