Welcome to the third part of our series. For all people who are new in Spain 
as home-buyer or as home-owner and who doesn’t know very well the 
Spanish language, the following list of terms might be useful. Therefore this 
time we want to offer you a small ABC of commented terms, with those you 
will come in contact sooner or later.
Some of these terms have several possibilities for translations which make 
sense. We used here the official Spanish terms. Those which do not 
explain themselves we commented or added a note. Because of reasons 
of clearness we arranged the terms for you in board form and in alphabetic 
order.


Altura reguladora = Allowed building height

Referring to the maximum height

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Aparejador = Technical architect

The aparejador is together with the architect and the chief executive of the 
building firm part of the leadership of the building. His contraction is 
prescribed by law. He is responsible for quality control of all materials used 
during the execution or work by certifications. Some times he also inspects 
fulfill of safety and health prescriptions. These two tasks can be done from 
the architect or builder, too.

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Cedula de habitabilidad = Certification  of habitableness

The architect issues this certificate, which has to be presented in town hall 
before installing yourself in the new home. Without this certification, 
usually, you can’t connect to water, electricity or gas supply.

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Certificado de edificabilidad = Certificate about edify conditions

You can obtain this paper in Town hall. The certificate, usually, is limited in 
time. To solicit this document you should present the polygon number, the 
lot’s number and a situation plan.

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Certificado descriptivo = Descriptive Certification 

This certification confirms that the building was executed in accordance 
with the building license. It is issued by the architect.

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Certificado final de obra = Certification finish of building execution

This document is issued by the architect and aparejador 
(technical architect). It certificates the characteristics of the new building 
and that building work has finished.

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Colegio de arquitectos = Association of architects

Here the documentation of builder’s plans is checked through and the 
architect’s firm is verified. Town hall only will issues license if builder’s 
plans are sealed by the association of architects.

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Contrato de obra = Building contract

As minimum contains, this contract should consider all works described in 
the builder’s plans and should contain the offer-price as a fix price. Also it 
should describe payment according to work done, starting date and finish 
date.

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Corretajes = Broker's fees

Usually, in Spain, the brokers are paid from the seller.

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Declaración de obra nueva = Declaration of new edification

This document is issued by the notary at finish of work and after 
certification of finish of building execution.

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Escritura de compraventa = Notarial contract 

Makes public the selling/buying of property and enables to registration of 
property.

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Escritura de obra nueva = Land registration

Besides registration in titles registry serves to communicate the changes 
of property to public treasury. 

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Gastos de urbanización = Costs of urbanization

Costs of service installations in the street. For new construction have to 
be guaranteed by a bank bill of exchange 

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Inmueble de segunda mano = Second hand property

Buying an existing real property, you should prove if fees for town hall are 
paid, as well as costs of gas, water and electricity. 

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Información urbanística = City planning information

Information about the actual  building conditions. Is visible in the respective 
city or  town.

We are pleased if our information again has been useful to you. We say 
goodbye now until the next edition and we thank you very much for your 
interest. Until then we wish you a whale of time.

Your team of architects, the consultants for 
everything that is connected to building construction.