INMODOCS Blog
Guides and analysis to buy property safely in Spain
Practical articles on due diligence, urban planning, mortgages, taxes and Spanish deposit contracts.
Risks when buying an apartment with a closed terrace without permission?
Buying an apartment with a closed terrace without permission can lead to fines and valuation issues. Discover what you must check at the town hall (ayuntamiento) before signing.
Buying & selling06/10/2026Buying a Property from a Non-Resident Seller? Key Aspects of the 3%
Buying a property from a non-resident seller requires withholding 3% of the price and managing the plusvalía (municipal capital gains tax). Avoid fines and discover how to protect your investment.
Documentation01/10/2026Certificate of outstanding community debt: what to check?
The outstanding community debt certificate does not only reflect unpaid fees. Discover what concepts it must include and why you should never waive it when buying your apartment.
Documentation29/09/2026What to look for in the community minutes before buying a flat?
The minutes of the homeowners' association meetings reveal building works, litigation, outstanding debts, and future special assessments (derramas) that the nota simple (land registry extract) does not show. We show you what to look for before buying your home.
Buying & selling24/09/2026Who pays notary fees when buying a home?
In Catalonia, the buyer covers the notary and Land Registry fees for the sale. Discover how these expenses are shared and which bills legally correspond to the bank if you apply for a mortgage.
Buying & selling22/09/2026How does the Cadastre's reference value affect ITP (Property Transfer Tax)?
The Cadastre's reference value can skyrocket the ITP (Property Transfer Tax) you pay when buying a home. We explain how to check it and what to do if it exceeds the actual price.
Buying & selling17/09/2026Buying a rented flat in Barcelona: what rent will you collect?
If you buy a rented flat in Barcelona, the current contract, its extensions, and the stressed housing zone will limit your future rent. Discover what you can actually charge.
Buying & selling16/09/2026How much rent will you collect when buying a flat in Barcelona to rent out?
If you are going to buy a flat in Barcelona to rent out, the law limits the rental price. Discover how to calculate the real rent and avoid misleading yields.
Buying & selling14/09/2026Expenses when buying a flat in Barcelona: how much do you need?
The listing price is not the final cost of your home. Find out how much money you actually need for taxes, notary fees, and the mortgage to buy in Barcelona without surprises.
Gran tenedor10/09/2026Right of first refusal (tanteo) for large property owners in Catalonia? Avoid losing your apartment
If you buy an apartment from a large property owner (gran tenedor) company in Catalonia, the Generalitat could exercise its right of first refusal (tanteo). Discover what you must check before signing your deposit agreement (arras).
Gran tenedor08/09/2026Are you a large-scale landlord (gran tenedor) in Catalonia? This is how your apartments are calculated
Find out if your assets make you a large-scale landlord (gran tenedor) in Catalonia. We explain how homes, usufructs, and bare ownership are counted according to the law and the ITP (Property Transfer Tax).
Zona tensionada03/09/2026Buying a flat in Barcelona in a stressed zone? What to check
If you are going to buy a flat in Barcelona to rent out, the housing law limits the rent. Discover what you must check before signing to secure your profitability.
Zona tensionada01/09/2026Stressed housing market zone in Catalonia: how to know if it affects you?
Catalonia has 271 municipalities declared as stressed housing market zones. We explain how to check if a property is included and what the consequences are when buying to let.
Buying & selling27/08/2026Cadastral value of a property: what it is, how to view it, and what it is for
Discover what the cadastral value (valor catastral) of a property is, where you can check it, and how it differs from the reference value (valor de referencia) and the market price in Spain.
Buying & selling25/08/2026Municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía municipal) in Barcelona: calculation, deadlines and exemptions
Are you selling, inheriting or donating a property in Barcelona? Discover how the municipal capital gains tax is calculated, who has to pay it and in which cases you can avoid this tax.
Buying & selling21/08/2026Buying a flat with unlegalised building work: risks and solutions
Are you going to buy a flat with an enclosed terrace, a loft, or additional square metres? Discover the risks of unlegalised building work and how to protect yourself before signing.
Buying & selling19/08/2026Community fees and IBI in real estate transactions: who pays?
IBI and community fees follow different rules in a property sale. We explain how they are divided, who is liable for outstanding debts, and what to agree on in the deposit agreement (contrato de arras).
Documentation18/08/2026Arras penitenciales (penitential earnest money): what they are and when the money is lost
Arras penitenciales allow both buyer and seller to withdraw from the purchase agreement. Find out how they work, when the money is lost, and their regulation in Cataluña.
Documentation18/08/2026Earnest money agreement (contrato de arras) model Barcelona: Essential clauses
An earnest money agreement (contrato de arras) model in Barcelona must adapt to the Código Civil de Cataluña. Learn about the essential clauses regarding financing, community levies (derramas), and the ITE before signing.
Documentation11/08/2026Understanding a Nota Simple: A Practical Guide to Reading the Property Registry
Learn how to understand a nota simple: property description, ownership, usufructs, mortgages, and warning signs before buying a property in Spain.
Documentation04/08/2026How to request a nota simple in Barcelona step by step
Discover how to request a nota simple in Barcelona, how much it costs, and what information you need. Step-by-step guide to avoid surprises before buying a flat.
New build31/07/2026Defects in new-build homes: Guide to claiming
Have you detected defects upon receiving your new home? We explain in a simple way how to claim defects in a new-build property and what legal deadlines you have.
New build30/07/2026What to check when buying a new-build property: A practical guide
Buying off-plan or ready-to-move-in requires reviewing contracts, licenses, and guarantees. We explain what to check to avoid surprises with your new home.
Subsidised housing (VPO)29/07/2026Buying a vivienda de protección oficial in Catalonia: Complete guide
Practical guide to buying a vivienda de protección oficial in Catalonia. Discover the mandatory requirements, how to calculate the maximum price, and avoid risks.
Buying & selling28/07/2026Mortgage denied after signing arras: what to do
What happens if the bank denies your mortgage after signing the arras? We explain how to recover your money and what you must take into account so you do not lose your savings.
Documentation27/07/2026Registry and Cadastre do not match: what to do before buying
It is common when buying a home in Spain for the Property Registry and Cadastre not to match. We analyze the origin of these discrepancies, their risks, and how to solve them.
Encumbrances24/07/2026Who pays the special levies (derramas) when selling a property in Catalonia
A special levy approved before the sale does not always fully correspond to the seller. We explain who must pay it in Catalonia and how to regulate it in the earnest money agreement (arras).
Buying & selling23/07/2026Buying a property with a tenant: risks and what to check
Buying a property with a tenant requires caution. We analyze the rental agreement, the lease duration, its extensions, and the rights of tanteo and retracto.
Documentation22/07/2026Buying a property without a 'cédula de habitabilidad': Risks and key factors
Discover the risks you assume when buying a property without a 'cédula de habitabilidad' (habitability certificate), when it is legal to transfer it, and how to protect your money before signing a deposit agreement.
Documentation21/07/2026How to tell if a building has passed the ITE and what to check
We explain how to know if a building has passed the ITE (Inspección Técnica del Edificio) in Catalonia, what documents to request, and how to interpret the aptitude certificate before buying.
Documentation20/07/2026How to check charges on a property before buying
A mortgage is not the only charge that can affect your future home. We explain how to check for charges, read the nota simple (land registry certificate) and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Documentation18/07/2026What Documentation to Request Before Signing a Deposit Agreement (Arras): Complete Guide
Signing a deposit agreement (arras) without reviewing the documentation can be costly. Discover which documents you must request from the seller before handing over money and committing yourself.
Buying & selling17/07/2026How to buy a property in Barcelona from abroad
Complete guide to buying a property in Barcelona from abroad: NIE, power of attorney, opening an account, origin of funds and real estate due diligence step by step.
Documentation16/07/2026Difference between reserva and arras when buying a property in Spain
Reserva and contrato de arras (earnest money contract) are not the same. Discover what obligations each document generates, their legal differences, and when you can lose or recover your money.
Buying & selling15/07/2026What to check before buying a home? 8 Essential keys
Before signing a reservation or an earnest money deposit (contrato de arras), it is crucial to know the legal status of the property. We show you the 8 essential checks to buy safely.
Buying & selling14/07/2026Real estate due diligence: what it is and what it reviews
A real estate due diligence reviews the legal, registry, and urban planning status of a property before buying it. Discover what it includes and the risks it can detect.