Spain: Glossary – Spainish Property Terms

Spanish Terms

Abogado: Lawyer or solicitor.

Acequia: Water channel/ditch.

Acometida: Connection, e.g. of electricity or water.

Administrador: Administrator, e.g. of a community of property owners in a community development.

Adosado: Semi-detached, but usually refers to terraced townhouses.

Agencia estatal de administración tributaria: The tax office, usually shortened to Agencia Tributaria, previously called hacienda (and still used by most people).

Agente de Propiedad Inmobiliaria (API): Qualified and registered real estate agent.

Aire acondicionado: Air-conditioning.

Albañil: Builder such as a bricklayer or stone mason.

Alcalde: Mayor.

Alcantarillado: Sewage system.

Aljibe: Water cistern.

(Se) Alquila: For rent.

Alquiler: Rent.

Amortización: Amortisation. The gradual process of systematically reducing debt in equal payments (as in a mortgage) comprising both principal and interest, until the debt is paid in full.

Amueblada: Furnished. Unfurnished is sin muebles or sin amueblar.

Aparcamiento: Parking, usually refers to private off-road parking.

Aparcamiento opcional: Optional parking, i.e. the option to buy a private garage or parking space.

Aparejador: Architectural engineer (the person who usually supervises the building of a property) or quantity surveyor.

Apartamento: Apartment.

Apartamento dúplex: Apartment on two floors.

Apartamento independiente: Separate apartment, e.g. with a villa.

Apartamento de vacaciones sin servicio de comida: Self-catering apartment.

API: See Agente de Propiedad Inmobiliaria.

Apliques: Light fittings.

Apostilla: An official stamp on a document that certifies the signature of the official who signed it, his capacity or office, and the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears.

Arboles: Trees.

Armario empotrado: Fitted (built-in) wardrobe.

Aseo: Toilet, but often refers to a separate toilet room, possibly with a shower (aseo con ducha).

Ascensor: Lift, elevator.

Asesor fiscal: Financial or tax consultant.

Aspiradora: Vacuum cleaner.

Arquitecto: Architect.

Arras: A deposit paid on a contrato de opción de compra (option contract) where the contract can be cancelled by either party, with the buyer forfeiting his deposit or the vendor paying the buyer double the deposit.

Atico: Attic.

Atico de lujo: Penthouse.

Avenida: Avenue, usually abbreviated Avda.

Ayuntamiento: City or town hall.

Azotea: Flat roof.

Baja de residencia: Certificate of non-residence or proof that you no longer reside at a certain address.

Balcón: Balcony.

Baño: Bath/bathroom.

Barbacoa: Barbecue.

Barrio: City quarter or neighbourhood.

Basura: Rubbish/Garbage.

Basura y Alcantarillado: Rubbish collection and mains drainage, for which a charge is made by the local municipal council.

Bodega: Wine cellar or vat room.

Boletín: Certificate.

Boletín de instalaciones eléctricas: Certificate from an electrician stating that a property has been wired according to the regulations (necessary to obtain a contract with the local electricity company).

Boletín oficial: Official bulletin for legal documents, e.g. a provincial, regional (e.g. Boletín Oficial de la Junta de Andalucía (BOJA) in Andalusia) or national (Boletín Oficial del Estado/BOE for all of Spain) listing of people who have had their properties embargoed or which are to be auctioned for non payment of debts such as mortgages or property taxes. Official bulletins are usually published weekly.

Bombona: Gas bottle.

Bricolaje: Do-it-yourself (DIY) supplies.

(En) Buen estado: In good condition.

Calefacción: Heating.

Calefacción central: Central heating.

Calidad: Quality.

Calle: Street, often written as C./ in addresses.

Cambio: Exchange, but also the currency exchange rate.

Campo: In the country.

Cargos: Costs or charges.

Carpintería: Carpentry, woodwork.

Casa: House.

Casa adosada: Terraced house.

Casa de huéspedes: Guest house.

Casa de pueblo: Village house.

Caserío: Country house or chalet.

Castillo: Castle.

Cédula de habitabilidad: A certificate certifying that a property can be lived in, which is issued when a building conforms with the building standards and codes. It must be issued before the electricity can be connected or a gas contract signed.

Censo electoral: Electoral roll.

Certificado: Certificate.

Certificado de empadronamiento: Certificate certifying that a person resides in a certain town.

Certificado de fin de obra: Certificate provided by an architect or building engineer certifying completion of work in accordance with the building plans.

Certificado de No Residencia: Certificate confirming that you’re a non-resident in Spain, required by non-resident homebuyers in Spain.

Césped: Lawn.

Chalet: Detached villa.

Chalet piloto: Show house.

Chalet sencillo: A simple or basic villa.

Cheque de viaje: Travellers’ cheque.

Chimenea: Fireplace, chimney.

Ciudad: Town or city.

Cláusula adicional: Additional clause.

Cláusula abrogatoria: Annulling clause.

Cocina: Kitchen (also stove, cooker).

Cocina americana: American (fitted) kitchen.

Cocina-comedor: Eat-in kitchen.

Código postal: Postal code.

Colegio: College or professional association (also a school).

Comedor: Dining room.

Comisaría: National police station where a Número de Identificación de Entranjero (NIE) can be obtained.

Comisión de apertura: Opening or arrangement fee, e.g. for a mortgage.

Complejo: Complex, e.g. a community development.

Comunidad: Community.

Comunidad de propietarios: Community of owners in a community development such as apartments or townhouses.

Comunidades autónomas: Autonomous regions.

(Al) Contado: Cash.

Compra: Purchase.

Comprar al contado: To buy or pay in cash.

Comprador: Purchaser, buyer.

Comprar sobre plano: To buy ‘off-plan’, ie. before the building has been built or finished.

Compraventa: The purchase of a property.

Concejales: Councillors.

Congelador: Freezer.

Constructor: Builder.

Construidos: Constructed area (usually listed in property advertisements).

Contable: Accountant.

Contador: Meter (electricity, gas, water).

Contenedor de la basura: Dustbin/ garbage can.

Contrato: Contract.

Contrato de arrendamiento: Rental contract.

Contrato de arrendamiento (de finca urbana amueblada) por temporada: A short term rental contract, e.g. for a holiday apartment.

Contrato de arrendamiento de vivienda: A rental contract.

Contrato de compraventa: Sales contract.

Contrato exclusivo: An exclusive contract between a vendor and an estate agent to sell a property.

Contrato de opción de compra: An option to purchase contract.

Contraventanas: Shutters.

Contribución rústica o territorial: Formerly property or real estate tax on agricultural property, now replaced by Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles Rústicos.

Contribución territorial urbana: Formerly property or real estate tax on urban property, now replaced by Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles Urbana.

Contribuciones especiales: Special levies or taxes, e.g. to improve the infrastructure of an urbanisation.

Copia autorizada: Authorised or certified copy, e.g. of a contract.

Copia simple: Copy of an escritura without signatures.

Corral: Farmyard.

Cortijo: Farmhouse or house on a finca (farm).

Cosas comunes: The parts of a community development that are owned communally.

Cosas privativas: The parts of a community development that are owned privately.

Costa: Coast.

Cuarto: Room.

Cuarto de baño: Bathroom.

Cuarto grande: Large room.

Cuenta corriente: Bank cheque (current) account.

Cuota (de participación): An owner’s share (expressed as a percentage) of a community development, used to calculate his percentage of community fees.

Declaración de obra nueva: Declaration and registration of a new property (or part of) or development to a notary.

Declaración de obra nueva y división horizontal: Declaration of a new community development.

Demanda: Lawsuit.

Demanda de desahucio: Eviction order.

Denuncia: A formal complaint made to the authorities, e.g. the police.

Departamento de extranjeros: Foreign residents department, e.g. at a town hall.

Dependencia: Outbuilding.

Depósito: Tank, e.g. for water.

Depósito de garantía: Guarantee or security deposit.

Derecho de paso: Right of way.

Derechos reales: Real property rights.

Desván: Loft.

Diputación: Delegation.

Dirección: Address.

Divisas: Foreign currency.

Doble cristal: Double glazed.

Domiciliación de pagos: Standing order, e.g. for payment of utility bills.

Domiciliación bancaria: Direct debit.

Domicilio fiscal: Main residence for tax purposes.

Dormitorio: Bedroom.

Dormitorio principal: Master bedroom.

Ducha: Shower.

Dúplex: Maisonette.

Edificio: Building.

Electricidad: Electricity.

Embargo: Embargo on a property for unpaid debts such as a mortgage or property taxes.

Entrada: Hallway. Also the down payment on a home, the balance of which will be paid by a mortgage. The entrada isn’t returnable if the buyer withdraws from a purchase.

Equipados: Equipped.

Escalera: Stairway.

Escritura (pública) de compraventa: Notarised deed of sale.

Espacio para piscina: Room for a pool.

Estanco: A tobacconist (seller of rental contracts and other official documents and papel del estado).

Estatutos: Statutes, rules or by-laws, e.g. of a community development.

Estudio: Study/studio apartment.

Expediente: The dossier on a property.

Expediente de dominio: Proof of domination, i.e. a document proving ownership of property or land when an escritura doesn’t exist or has been lost.

Factura: Bill or invoice.

Ferretería: Hardware store or ironmongers.

Fianza: Security deposit.

Finca: Farm or farmhouse. Generally used to refer to any rural property outside a town or village.

Finca urbana: Town property.

Fontanería: Plumbing.

Fosa séptica: Septic tank.

Frigorífico: Refrigerator.

Fuente: Spring.

Garaje: Garage.

Garaje doble: Double garage.

Garantía: Guarantee, warranty.

Gastos: Fees or expenses.

Gastos de comunidad: Community fees.

Gastos excluidos: Not including expenses.

Gastos incluidos: Including expenses.

Generador: Generator (electricity).

Gestor: A licensed professional who acts as an intermediary between private individuals and government departments such as the tax office and social security.

Gestoría: A gestor’s office.

GIPE: Initials of the Gestor Intermediario en Promociones de Edificiones, an association of real estate professionals.

Granero: Barn.

Granja: Farm or farmhouse.

Guarda: Keeper or guard.

Habitación: Room.

Habitación principal: Master bedroom.

Hacienda: Property, farm. Also

[b]the tax office, now officially

[b]replaced by the agencia estatal

[b]de administración tributaria,

[b]although hacienda is still used by most people.

Hectárea: Hectare or 10,000 square metres (2.471 acres).

Hipoteca: Mortgage.

Honorarios: Fees.

Huerto: Orchard.

Importe: Amount.

Impuesto: Tax.

Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio: Wealth tax, commonly referred to simply as patrimonio.

Impuesto municipal sobre el incremento del valor de los terrenos: See plus valía.

Impuesto sobre Actividades Económicas (IAE): Business tax or licence for business people and professionals (which replaced the former fiscal licence) abolised for most small businesses in 2003.

Impuesto sobre Actos Jurídicos Documentados: Tax on ‘documented legal acts’ roughly equivalent to the stamp duty charged in some countries. This tax is levied at 0.5 or 1 per cent on all new property transfers.

Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles (IBI) Rústica/Urbana: Annual property or real estate tax (replaced the contribución territorial rústica/urbana).

Impuesto sobre Construcciones, Instalaciones y Obras: Tax on ‘construction, installations and work’ levied on all building work requiring a municipal licence.

Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio y sobre la Renta de No Residentes: The tax declaration (form 214) for both wealth and imputed letting tax for non-residents owning property in Spain.

Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas (IRPF): Income tax.

Impuesto sobre sociedades: Company or Corporation Tax.

Impuesto sobre sucesiones y donaciones: Inheritance and gift tax.

Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP): Transfer tax (payable when buying a resale property).

Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido (IVA): Value added tax.

Informe urbanístico: A certificate from the local town hall stating what can be built on a plot of land.

Inmobiliaria: Estate agent’s office.

Inquilino: Tenant.

Inspección: Property inspection or survey.

Interior: Hinterland, i.e. not on the coast (also interior of a house).

Inventario: Inventory.

Invernadero: Conservatory or greenhouse.

IVA: Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido (value added tax).

Jardín: Garden.

Juzgado: Court or tribunal.

Ladrillo/ladrillos: Brick/brickwork.

Lago: Lake.

Lavadero: Laundry or utility room.

Lavadora: Washing machine.

Ley: Law.

Ley de arrendamientos urbanos: Law governing property rentals.

Ley de costas: Coastal building law which governs construction in coastal areas.

Ley de Propiedad Horizontal (LPH): Law of horizontal division of a community development defining the legal rights and obligations of owners.

Licencia: Licence.

Licencia de apertura: Business opening licence.

Licencia fiscal: Business licence.

Licencia de obra: Building licence.

Licencia de primer ocupación: Licence required for the first occupation of a building, necessary to have an electricity meter installed.

Llave en mano: Ready to occupy, i.e. a fully built and decorated property.

Localidad: Location.

Lujo/lujoso: Luxury/luxurious.

(En) mal estado: Dilapidated (in bad condition).

Mantenimiento: Maintenance.

Mármol: Marble.

Mensualidad: Monthly payment, e.g. for a mortgage.

Memoria: List of materials and specifications for a building job.

Memoria de calidades: Building specifications, e.g. for a house, which must form part of the architect’s plans.

Metros cuadrados: Square metres.

Muebles: Furniture.

Modernizado: Modernised.

Moqueta: Fitted carpet.

Mudanza: Move house.

Multipropiedad: Timeshare.

Municipio: Municipality.

Muro: Wall.

Nevera: Refrigerator.

NIE: See Número de Identificación de Entranjeros.

NIF: See Número de Identificación Fiscal.

Nota simple: Extract of the property register showing a property’s details (such as the owner) and whether any encumbrances (debts) are registered against it. Also a copy of property deeds.

Notario: Notary public. The legal professional who handles the conveyancing for all property sales in Spain (similar to a British solicitor or an American property lawyer).

Número de API: The Agente de Propiedad Inmobiliaria (API) registration number of a real estate agent with the local college of

[b]estate agents.

Número de Identificación de Entranjeros (NIE): Fiscal or tax identification number required by all foreign property owners in Spain.

Número de Identificación Fiscal (NIF): The fiscal number which all Spaniards have (the same number as their identity card and passport numbers).

Obra con garantía: Work/construction guaranteed.

Ocasión: Bargain, special offer.

Oficina de rentas y ventas: Sales and rental office.

Padrón municipal: List of inhabitants, e.g. in a municipality.

Papel de estado: Tax stamps (literally ‘state paper’) issued in various denominations for the purpose of making official payments to government offices, e.g. to apply for a residence permit. Sold by estancos (tobacconist shops).

Parabólica: Satellite dish. In property advertisements it refers to a development or urbanisation with satellite TV.

Parcela: Building plot.

Parcialmente construida: Partially constructed or completed.

Pared medianero: Party wall.

Parquet: Wooden floor.

Patio interior: Central courtyard of a house.

Patrimonio: Wealth tax.

Peligro: Danger.

Permuta: A contract whereby two parties agree to exchange properties, usually with one party paying the other a sum to compensate for the difference in the properties’ values.

Piscina: Swimming pool.

Piscina climatizada: Heated swimming pool.

Piscina comunitaria: Communal (shared) swimming pool.

Piso: Apartment, floor (of building).

Piso piloto: Show apartment.

Plan parcial: Plan of building plots, e.g. in a community development or a municipality.

Planta: Floor.

Planta baja: Ground floor (USA:[/b] first floor).

Plaza: Town square, often abbreviated at plza.

Plaza mayor: Square at the centre of many Spanish cities, often totally enclosed and arcaded.

Plus valía: A tax on the increase in land value, levied when a property is sold. Officially called impuesto municipal sobre el incremento del valor de los terrenos.

Poder: Power of attorney or proxy.

Poder especial: Limited power of attorney.

Poder general: General power of attorney.

Policía municipal/local: Municipal or local police.

Policía nacional: National police.

Ponencia de valores: The official table of values used by local municipalities to assess the rateable value of a property.

Portero: Caretaker or doorman, e.g. of an apartment block.

Potencia: Power rating, e.g. of a home’s electricity supply.

Pozo: Well.

Pozo negro: Cesspool.

Precio: Price.

Presidente: Chairman, e.g. of a community development.

Préstamo: Loan.

Presupuesto: Estimate.

Primera copia: Signed original of the escritura or a certified copy.

Primera línea de mar: Front line sea position, e.g. on the beach.

Procurador: Barrister.

Promotor: Developer, e.g. of an urbanisation.

Propiedad: Property.

Propiedad rústica: Rural property.

Provincia: Province, e.g. Malaga.

Pueblo: Village.

Pueblo blanco: White village, e.g. a village in Andalusia with whitewashed houses.

Puerta: Door, gate or portal.

Puerta blindada: Armoured door, e.g. a high security front door of an apartment.

Puerta de cristal: French window.

Recargo: Surcharge.

Recaudación municipal: Municipal property tax (rates) office.

Recaudación provincial: Provincial tax office, e.g. for business tax.

Recibo: Receipt.

Recién: Recent, new.

Reformada: Reformed, e.g. modernised.

Registro de la propiedad: Property registry.

Rejas/Rejillas: Iron security grilles or bars, e.g. on windows and patio doors.

Renovado: Renovated.

Renta: Earnings or income.

Reposición bancaria: Bank repossession.

Representante fiscal: Official fiscal (tax) representative.

Residencia: Residence card or permit.

Residencia habitual: Main residence.

Residente: Resident (with a residencia).

Responsabilidad civil a terceros: Third party or public liability.

Restauración: Renovation.

Retención: Withholding tax. Also the 5 per cent of the sale price that must be retained by the buyer (in lieu of taxes) when a non-resident sells a Spanish property.

Riesgo a terceros: Third party liability, e.g. for household insurance.

Río: River.

Rústica: Agricultural property.

Sala de estar: Living room, lounge.

Salón: Lounge, living room.

Salón-Comedor: Combined Lounge and dining room.

Salón de juegos: Entertainment room.

Segunda residencia: Second or holiday home.

Seguridad social: Social security.

Seguro: Insurance.

Seguro de hogar: Household insurance.

Seguro de viaje: Travel insurance.

Señal: Deposit.

Sistema de seguridad: Security system, alarm.

Solar: Plot of land.

Solería de mármol: Marble floors.

Solario: Solarium/sun roof or deck.

Sótano: Cellar, basement.

Subasta: Auction, e.g. of property.

Subasteros: People who band together to buy properties at low prices and resell them at huge profit.

Subrogación forzosa: ‘Compulsory substitution’ where a lender offering more favourable mortgage terms or interest rates takes over an existing mortgage.

Suelo rústico/urbano/urbanizable: Agricultural land (suelo rústico), building land (suelo urbano) and land that can be changed from agricultural to building land (suelo urbanizable).

Taller: Workshop.

Taller del constructor: Builder’s yard.

Tasa: Fee.

Tasa Anual Equivalente (TAE): The effective annual interest rate, e.g. for a mortgage, after interest is compounded and all commission and fees are included.

Tejado: Roof.

(por) Temporada: Temporary or short term, e.g. a seasonal property rental contract.

Termo: Water heater.

Terreno: Land, plot.

Terreno rústico: Agricultural or rural land.

Terreno urbanizable: Building land with an approved plan parcial.

Terraza: Terrace.

Testamento: Will.

Tipo de interés: Interest rate.

Todo confort: All mod cons.

Todos los gastos: All fees or charges, e.g. in a property purchase contract.

Tranquilo: Quiet.

Transferencia: Banker’s order.

Traspaso: Lease or transfer of property.

Trastero: Storage room.

Tribunal de expropriaciones: Special court to decide disputes over expropriation of property.

Ultimo piso: Top floor.

Urbana: Urban. Also the colloquial name for property tax.

Urbanismo: Urban development office.

Urbanización: Urbanisation or housing estate. A community development.

Urgente: Urgent.

Usufructo: A life interest, e.g. in a property.

Vado permanente: Keep clear. No parking zone, e.g. in front of a private entrance or garage.

Vallado: Fenced in, e.g. a garden.

Valor catastral: The fiscal or rateable value of a property fixed by the local municipality, on which property taxes (IBI) are calculated.

Vecindad: Neighbourhood.

(Se) Vende: For sale.

Vendedor: Vendor or seller.

Ventana: Window.

Vídeo portero: Video entrance security system.

Viejo: Old.

Vigas de madera: Wooden beams, beamed ceiling.

Visado: Visa.

Visado de residencia: Visa required for a non-EU national to take up residence in Spain.

Vistas al campo: Country views.

Vistas de la costa: Coastal views.

Vistas al mar: Sea views.

Vivero: Garden centre.

Vivienda de Protección Oficial (VPO): Subsidised housing.

Vivienda: Dwelling.

Vivienda habitual: Primary or main residence.

Vivienda secundaria/viviendas de vacaciones: Second or holiday home.

Zona verde: Green zone where no building is permitted. Also refers to gardens, lawns and other ‘green’ areas.

© Survival Books Limited 2005

“Buying a Home in Spain 2006” 5th Edition, David Hampshire.

Reproduced with the permission of Survival Books Limited.

Further information on this topic can be found in “Buying a Home in Spain 2006” 5th edition, by David Hampshire.

For extensive, annually updated information about buying a property in Spain, you can purchase this book at www.survivalbooks.net