Barcelona Home Hunter

Real Estate Glossary — English with Spanish & Catalan

Key Barcelona real-estate terms with ES & CA translations.

A

Absentee Owner — ES: Propietario Ausente | CA: Propietari Absent

Owner who does not reside near the property; often uses a manager or agent.

Addendum — ES: Anexo / Adenda | CA: Annex / Adenda

Supplementary document that modifies or adds terms to an existing contract.

Advance Payment — ES: Pago por Adelantado | CA: Pagament per Endavant

Payment made before services are performed or goods delivered.

Agency Agreement (Listing) — ES: Encargo de Venta (Exclusiva/No Exclusiva) | CA: Encarrec de Venda

Contract authorizing an agent to market a property; sets scope, exclusivity, and commission.

Agent’s Commission — ES: Comisión de Agencia | CA: Comissió d’Agència

Fee paid to the real estate agent for brokerage services; structure varies by market.

Agreement for Sale — ES: Contrato de Compraventa | CA: Contracte de Compravenda

Binding agreement outlining price, terms, conditions, and deadlines of a property sale.

Amenities — ES: Servicios / Zonas Comunes | CA: Serveis / Zones Comunes

Features such as pool, gym, doorman, garden, or playground that add value to a property.

Amortization — ES: Amortización | CA: Amortització

Schedule showing principal and interest payments over time; often French method in Spain.

Annex / Outbuilding — ES: Anexo / Construcción Auxiliar | CA: Annex / Construcció Auxiliar

Secondary structure on the property (e.g., storage, studio).

Anti–Money Laundering (AML) — ES: Prevención de Blanqueo de Capitales (PBC) | CA: Prevenció del Blanqueig de Capitals

Regulations requiring client identification and source-of-funds checks.

Apartment — ES: Apartamento / Piso | CA: Apartament / Pis

Self-contained housing unit within a multi-dwelling building.

Appraisal (Valuation) — ES: Tasación | CA: Taxació

Independent valuation to determine lending value and price reasonableness.

Architect’s / Technical Report — ES: Informe Técnico (ITE/ITEO) | CA: Informe Tècnic

Condition assessment; in Catalonia, ITE and conservation certificates may apply.

Arras (Deposit Contract) — ES: Contrato de Arras | CA: Contracte d’Arres

Private reservation agreement with deposit; penalties apply if either party withdraws without cause.

Arrears — ES: Atrasos / Impagos | CA: Endarreriments

Overdue payments such as HOA fees or mortgage installments.

Assignment of Contract — ES: Cesión de Contrato | CA: Cessió de Contracte

Transfer of contractual rights/obligations to another party, per contract terms.

Attic / Loft Space — ES: Buhardilla / Altillo | CA: Golfes / Altell

Upper-level usable space, sometimes not counted as legal living area.

B

Bank Guarantee (Off‑Plan) — ES: Aval Bancario | CA: Aval Bancari

Guarantee ensuring deposits are protected when buying off-plan per law.

Bare Ownership — ES: Nuda Propiedad | CA: Nua Propietat

Ownership without the right of use; the usufructuary holds use/benefit.

Binding Mortgage Offer — ES: Oferta Vinculante | CA: Oferta Vinculant

Formal loan terms issued after underwriting; valid for a limited period.

Booking Fee — ES: Señal / Depósito de Reserva | CA: Senyal

Smaller upfront payment to briefly hold a property prior to an arras contract.

Buildable Area — ES: Edificabilidad / Superficie Edificable | CA: Edificabilitat

Maximum area allowed to be built per planning regulations.

Building Permit (Major) — ES: Licencia de Obra Mayor | CA: Llicència d’Obra Major

Permit required for structural or major refurbishment works.

Building Permit (Minor) — ES: Licencia de Obra Menor | CA: Llicència d’Obra Menor

Permit for small non-structural works like bathrooms or kitchens.

Buyer’s Agent — ES: Agente del Comprador | CA: Agent del Comprador

Professional representing the buyer’s interests through the transaction.

Buy-to-Let — ES: Compra para Alquilar | CA: Compra per Llogar

Property purchased primarily for rental income and appreciation.

C

Cadastre / Assessed Value — ES: Catastro / Valor Catastral | CA: Cadastre / Valor Cadastral

Administrative registry for tax assessment; not proof of title.

Cadastral Reference — ES: Referencia Catastral | CA: Referència Cadastral

Unique identifier for a property in the Cadastre.

Certificate of Debts (HOA) — ES: Certificado de Deuda Cero | CA: Certificat de Deute Zero

Confirms no outstanding community fee arrears.

Certificate of Habitability — ES: Cédula de Habitabilidad | CA: Cèdula d’Habitabilitat

Document attesting a dwelling meets minimum standards; required for utilities and letting in Catalonia.

Certificate of Occupancy — ES: Licencia de Primera Ocupación | CA: Llicència de Primera Ocupació

Authorization allowing first occupation of a new-build or major refurbishment.

Community (HOA) & Fees — ES: Comunidad de Propietarios / Gastos | CA: Comunitat / Quotes

Association of owners managing common elements and shared costs.

Community Statutes — ES: Estatutos de la Comunidad | CA: Estatuts de la Comunitat

Rules governing a building/community, voting, and use of common areas.

Completion (Deed Signing) — ES: Escritura Pública de Compraventa | CA: Escriptura Pública de Compravenda

Final notarial signing transferring title; keys and funds change hands.

Conservation Certificate (ITE Aptitude) — ES: Certificado de Aptitud (ITE) | CA: Certificat d’Aptitud (ITE)

Certificate after building inspection stating conservation status.

Conveyancer / Solicitor — ES: Abogado Inmobiliario | CA: Advocat Immobiliari

Legal professional handling due diligence and completion.

Cooling‑Off Period — ES: Periodo de Reflexión | CA: Període de Reflexió

Short period to review mortgage documents (e.g., FEIN/FIAE) before signing.

D

Dación en Pago — ES: Dación en Pago | CA: Dació en Pagament

Handing property to the bank to settle mortgage debt, subject to agreement.

Datum / Floor Level — ES: Cota / Nivel | CA: Cota / Nivell

Reference level used in architectural plans.

Deed of Gift — ES: Donación (Inmueble) | CA: Donació (Immoble)

Gratuitous transfer of property; tax implications apply.

Deposit (Rental Security) — ES: Fianza | CA: Fiança

Security deposit held to cover damages or unpaid rent; rules per law.

Developer / Promoter — ES: Promotor / Constructora | CA: Promotor / Constructora

Company developing and selling new-builds.

Down Payment — ES: Entrada / Pago Inicial | CA: Entrada

Buyer’s funds beyond the mortgage; non-residents often need higher down payments.

Due Diligence — ES: Diligencia Debida | CA: Diligència Deguda

Legal and technical checks before purchase.

E

Easement / Servitude — ES: Servidumbre | CA: Servitud

Right enjoyed by one property over another (e.g., access, drainage).

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — ES: Certificado de Eficiencia Energética | CA: Certificat d’Eficiència Energètica

Mandatory rating A–G for sale or rent.

Encumbrance — ES: Carga (Hipoteca, Embargo, Servidumbre) | CA: Càrrega

Registered claim or liability on a property.

EPC Registry Number — ES: Código Registro Eficiencia Energética | CA: Codi Registre Eficiència Energètica

Official code for the energy certificate filing.

Escrow / Retention — ES: Retención | CA: Retenció

Funds withheld until specified issues are resolved post‑completion.

Euribor — ES: Euríbor | CA: Euríbor

Common European benchmark interest rate for variable mortgages.

Exclusive Mandate — ES: Exclusiva de Venta | CA: Exclusiva de Venda

Exclusive listing agreement with a single agency.

F

Fixed‑Rate Mortgage — ES: Hipoteca a Tipo Fijo | CA: Hipoteca a Tipus Fix

Interest rate remains constant throughout the term.

Folding Door Balcony — ES: Balconera | CA: Balconera

Tall balcony door typical in Barcelona apartments.

Folio Real (Registry Folio) — ES: Folio Real | CA: Foli Real

Registry page identifying a property’s legal record.

Foreigner ID Number — ES: NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) | CA: NIE

Required ID for foreigners to buy property, open bank accounts, etc.

Floor Area (Usable/Built) — ES: Superficie Útil / Construida | CA: Superfície Útil / Construïda

Different measures used in Spanish listings and deeds.

Fondo de Reserva (HOA Reserve) — ES: Fondo de Reserva | CA: Fons de Reserva

Mandatory reserve fund for community expenses and works.

G

Gastos de Compra (Closing Costs) — ES: Gastos de Compra | CA: Despeses de Compra

All costs at purchase: taxes, notary, registry, gestoría, appraisal, etc.

Guarantor — ES: Avalista | CA: Avalador

Person/entity guaranteeing borrower obligations.

Guarantee (10‑Year Structural) — ES: Garantía Decenal | CA: Garantia Decenal

Insurance for major structural defects in new builds for 10 years.

Ground Floor with Patio — ES: Bajo con Patio | CA: Baixos amb Pati

Unit on street level with private outdoor space.

H

Habitability Certificate — ES: Cédula de Habitabilidad | CA: Cèdula d’Habitabilitat

See Certificate of Habitability.

Holiday Rental License — ES: Licencia Turística | CA: Llicència Turística

Permit for short‑term rentals; heavily restricted in Barcelona.

Homeowner’s Insurance — ES: Seguro de Hogar | CA: Assegurança de la Llar

Covers structure and contents; minimums often required by banks.

Horizontal Property Law — ES: Ley de Propiedad Horizontal | CA: Llei de Propietat Horitzontal

Law governing condominiums/communities of owners.

HOA Minutes — ES: Actas de la Comunidad | CA: Actes de la Comunitat

Meeting notes revealing budgets, works, debts, and disputes.

I

IBI (Annual Property Tax) — ES: Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles (IBI) | CA: Impost sobre Béns Immobles (IBI)

Municipal tax based on cadastral value; billed annually.

Immovable Property — ES: Bien Inmueble | CA: Bé Immoble

Real estate; property that cannot be moved.

Impuesto de Patrimonio (Wealth Tax) — ES: Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio | CA: Impost sobre el Patrimoni

Tax on net wealth; thresholds and allowances vary.

Impuesto de Sucesiones y Donaciones — ES: Impuesto de Sucesiones y Donaciones | CA: Impost de Successions i Donacions

Inheritance and gift tax.

Interest Rate — ES: Tipo de Interés | CA: Tipus d’Interès

Cost of borrowing; fixed, variable (Euribor), or mixed.

IRNR (Non‑Resident Income Tax) — ES: Impuesto sobre la Renta de no Residentes | CA: Impost sobre la Renda de no Residents

Tax on non‑resident property owners (imputed or rental).

ITP (Transfer Tax – Resale) — ES: Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales | CA: Impost de Transmissions Patrimonials

Tax charged on second‑hand property purchases.

J

Joint Ownership (Undivided) — ES: Proindiviso / Cuota de Participación | CA: Proindivís

Each owner holds a percentage share; affects fees and votes.

Judicial Lien — ES: Embargo Judicial | CA: Embargament Judicial

Court‑ordered claim recorded against the property or owner.

K

Key‑Ready — ES: Llave en Mano | CA: Claus en Mà

Property delivered ready to move in without additional works.

Keys Handover — ES: Entrega de Llaves | CA: Lliurament de Claus

Moment when possession passes to the buyer at completion.

L

Land Classification — ES: Suelo Urbano / Urbanizable / Rústico | CA: Sòl Urbà / Urbanitzable / Rústic

Planning categories defining permitted uses and buildability.

Land Registry — ES: Registro de la Propiedad | CA: Registre de la Propietat

Public registry of ownership and encumbrances.

Landlord — ES: Arrendador / Propietario | CA: Arrendador / Propietari

Owner who lets the property.

Large‑Scale Works — ES: Rehabilitación Integral | CA: Rehabilitació Integral

Comprehensive refurbishment of a building/property.

Lease (Residential, LAU) — ES: Contrato de Arrendamiento (LAU) | CA: Contracte d’Arrendament (LAU)

Residential lease governed by the Urban Leases Act.

Lease Extension — ES: Prórroga de Contrato | CA: Pròrroga de Contracte

Extension of lease duration per law or agreement.

Legal Description — ES: Descripción Registral | CA: Descripció Registral

Formal description in the registry including boundaries and shares.

Lien — ES: Gravamen / Embargo | CA: Gravamen / Embargament

Charge or claim on property to secure a debt.

Lift / Elevator — ES: Ascensor | CA: Ascensor

Common element; costs included in community fees.

Listing Portal — ES: Portal Inmobiliario | CA: Portal Immobiliari

Online marketplace for property listings.

M

Major Works License — ES: Licencia de Obra Mayor | CA: Llicència d’Obra Major

Permit for structural alterations or façade changes.

Market Appraisal — ES: Valoración de Mercado | CA: Valoració de Mercat

Agent’s estimate of achievable sale price.

Mixed‑Rate Mortgage — ES: Hipoteca Mixta | CA: Hipoteca Mixta

Hybrid structure with fixed and variable periods.

Mortgage — ES: Hipoteca | CA: Hipoteca

Loan secured by real property; 20–30 years typical.

Mortgage Broker — ES: Intermediario Hipotecario | CA: Intermediari Hipotecari

Independent professional sourcing mortgage options.

Mortgage Cancellation (Registry) — ES: Cancelación Registral de Hipoteca | CA: Cancel·lació Registral d’Hipoteca

Procedure to remove a paid‑off mortgage from the registry.

Mortgage Novation — ES: Novación Hipotecaria | CA: Novació Hipotecària

Modification of an existing mortgage’s terms with the same bank.

Mortgage Subrogation — ES: Subrogación Hipotecaria | CA: Subrogació Hipotecària

Taking over an existing mortgage or switching lender.

Multi‑Risk Home Insurance — ES: Seguro Multirriesgo del Hogar | CA: Assegurança Multirisc de la Llar

Broader cover including liability and assistance.

N

NIE (Foreigner ID) — ES: Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) | CA: NIE

Essential for purchases, banking, utilities, and taxes.

Nota Simple (Title Extract) — ES: Nota Simple Registral | CA: Nota Simple

Registry summary of ownership, charges, and description.

Notary — ES: Notario/a | CA: Notari/ària

Public official authorizing deeds and certifying identity and legality.

Notice to Quit — ES: Preaviso / Desistimiento | CA: Preavís / Desistiment

Notice given to end a lease under legal terms.

O

Off‑Plan Purchase — ES: Compra sobre Plano | CA: Compra sobre Plànol

Buying before completion with staged payments and guarantees.

Offer to Purchase — ES: Oferta de Compra / Propuesta | CA: Oferta de Compra

Written proposal stating price and terms.

Open House — ES: Jornada de Puertas Abiertas | CA: Jornada de Portes Obertes

Event allowing prospective buyers to view without appointments.

Owner‑Occupied Home — ES: Vivienda Habitual | CA: Habitatge Habitual

Primary residence with different tax/mortgage treatment.

P

Padron (Municipal Register) — ES: Padrón Municipal / Empadronamiento | CA: Padró Municipal / Empadronament

Local census registration needed for some services and schools.

Parking Space — ES: Plaza de Aparcamiento | CA: Plaça d'Aparcament

Deeded or assigned car space; may have separate folio.

Participation Quota — ES: Cuota de Participación | CA: Quota de Participació

Share used to apportion HOA fees and votes.

Penthouse — ES: Ático | CA: Àtic

Top‑floor apartment, often with terrace.

Power of Attorney (PoA) — ES: Poder Notarial | CA: Poder Notarial

Authorizes a representative to act in property/banking matters.

Pre‑Approval (Mortgage) — ES: Preaprobación Hipotecaria | CA: Preaprovació Hipotecària

Preliminary lender assessment of borrowing capacity.

Private Sale Contract — ES: Contrato Privado (Arras u otros) | CA: Contracte Privat

Binding agreement before the notarial deed.

Purchase Price — ES: Precio de Compraventa | CA: Preu de Compravenda

Agreed consideration for the property as stated in the deed.

Purchase with Mortgage (FEIN/FIAE) — ES: FEIN / FIAE | CA: FEIN / FIAE

Pre‑contract mortgage docs: European standard info & risk warnings.

Plusvalía Municipal — ES: Impuesto sobre el Incremento del Valor de los Terrenos | CA: Impost sobre l’Increment del Valor dels Terrenys

Municipal capital gains tax on land value increase.

Plot — ES: Parcela / Solar | CA: Parcel·la / Solar

Land unit suitable for development subject to planning rules.

Q

Qualificación Urbanística — ES: Calificación Urbanística | CA: Qualificació Urbanística

Planning designation determining permitted uses.

Quotas (Community Fees) — ES: Cuotas / Gastos de Comunidad | CA: Quotes / Despeses de Comunitat

Recurring fees for building maintenance and services.

R

Reference Value (Tax Base) — ES: Valor de Referencia (Catastro) | CA: Valor de Referència (Cadastre)

Reference value used by Tax Agency as minimum tax base in some transfers.

Refurbishment / Renovation — ES: Reforma (Integral / Parcial) | CA: Reforma (Integral / Parcial)

Works to improve a property; permits depend on scope.

Registry Fee — ES: Arancel Registral | CA: Aranzel Registral

Regulated fee for property or mortgage registration.

Rental Cap / Regulation — ES: Regulación de Alquileres | CA: Regulació de Lloguers

Local/regional rules that may limit rent increases or prices.

Rental Yield — ES: Rentabilidad (Bruta / Neta) | CA: Rendibilitat (Bruta / Neta)

Annual rental income relative to price before/after costs.

Reserve Fund (HOA) — ES: Fondo de Reserva | CA: Fons de Reserva

Mandatory community reserve for future works (see HOA).

Right of First Refusal / Pre‑emption — ES: Tanteo y Retracto | CA: Tanteig i Retracte

Legal right allowing a party to match a sale under conditions.

Roof Terrace — ES: Azotea / Terraza | CA: Terrat / Terrassa

Rooftop area; can be common or private use.

S

Second Home — ES: Segunda Residencia | CA: Segona Residència

Non‑primary residence; different mortgage and tax treatment.

Security Deposit (Rental) — ES: Fianza / Garantía Adicional | CA: Fiança / Garantia Addicional

Deposit and/or additional guarantees required by landlords.

Servidumbre (Easement) — ES: Servidumbre | CA: Servitud

Right of way, light, views, or other burden over property.

Snagging List — ES: Lista de Remates / Incidencias | CA: Llista de Repassos

Defect list compiled at delivery of a new build.

Solicitor / Conveyancer — ES: Abogado/a (Especialista Inmobiliario) | CA: Advocat/da (Immobiliari)

Legal professional conducting due diligence and closing.

Solar Orientation — ES: Orientación | CA: Orientació

Cardinal direction affecting light and energy performance.

Stamp Duty (AJD) — ES: Actos Jurídicos Documentados (AJD) | CA: Actes Jurídics Documentats (AJD)

Tax on notarized documents like mortgage deeds or new builds.

Storage Room — ES: Trastero | CA: Traster

Deeded or appurtenant storage space.

Subrogation (Mortgage) — ES: Subrogación | CA: Subrogació

See Mortgage Subrogation.

Supplies / Utilities — ES: Suministros (Luz, Agua, Gas, Internet) | CA: Subministraments

Utility contracts and setup after purchase.

T

Tasador (Appraiser) — ES: Tasador | CA: Taxador

Professional authorized to issue valuations used by banks.

Technical Architect — ES: Aparejador / Arquitecto Técnico | CA: Aparellador / Arquitecte Tècnic

Oversees building works; required for major refurbishments.

Tenant in Situ — ES: Inquilino en el Inmueble | CA: Llogater/a en el Pis

Existing tenant remains after transfer; buyer assumes obligations.

Term Sheet (Mortgage) — ES: Term Sheet / Oferta | CA: Term Sheet / Oferta

Non‑binding outline of key lending terms pre‑approval.

Title Deed — ES: Escritura (Título de Propiedad) | CA: Escriptura (Títol de Propietat)

Notarized instrument proving ownership; then registered.

Tourist Rental License — ES: Licencia Turística | CA: Llicència Turística

Authorization for short‑term rentals; restricted locally.

Town Hall Tax Certificate — ES: Certificado de Deudas Municipales | CA: Certificat de Deutes Municipals

Confirms no pending municipal debts.

Transfer Tax (Resale) — ES: ITP | CA: ITP

Tax on second‑hand properties (see ITP).

Turn‑Key — ES: Llave en Mano | CA: Claus en Mà

Delivered ready for use, often including furnishings/appliances.

U

Urban Planning Report — ES: Informe / Certificado Urbanístico | CA: Informe Urbanístic

Municipal planning certificate for classification and uses.

Urbanistic Infraction — ES: Infracción Urbanística | CA: Infracció Urbanística

Breach of planning rules; may carry fines or legalization procedures.

Usufruct — ES: Usufructo | CA: Usdefruit

Right to use/enjoy a property without owning bare title.

Utility Meter Changeover — ES: Cambio de Titular de Contadores | CA: Canvi de Titular de Comptadors

Switching utility contracts to the new owner/tenant.

V

Vacant Possession — ES: Libre de Ocupantes | CA: Lliure d’Ocupants

Property delivered with no occupants unless agreed otherwise.

Valuation Gap — ES: Diferencia de Tasación | CA: Diferència de Taxació

When appraisal is lower than price; buyer covers difference.

Valor de Referencia — ES: Valor de Referencia | CA: Valor de Referència

See Reference Value for tax base.

Variable‑Rate Mortgage — ES: Hipoteca a Tipo Variable (Euribor) | CA: Hipoteca a Tipus Variable

Interest varies with Euribor plus spread.

VPO / HPO (Price‑Capped Housing) — ES: Vivienda de Protección Oficial (VPO) | CA: Habitatge de Protecció Oficial (HPO)

Subsidized or price‑capped housing with restrictions.

W

Walk‑Up Building — ES: Edificio sin Ascensor | CA: Edifici sense Ascensor

Building with no lift; desirability varies by floor.

Warranty of Hidden Defects — ES: Vicios Ocultos | CA: Vicis Ocults

Seller liability for latent defects under civil law.

Wealth Tax — ES: Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio | CA: Impost sobre el Patrimoni

See Impuesto de Patrimonio.

Y

Yield (Gross/Net) — ES: Rentabilidad (Bruta/Neta) | CA: Rendibilitat (Bruta/Neta)

Income return before and after costs relative to price.

Z

Zoning / Planning — ES: Planeamiento Urbanístico / Zonificación | CA: Planejament Urbanístic / Zonificació

Rules defining uses, densities, and building parameters.

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