Lawyers throughout the world are often criticised for using words which make no sense to anyone other than fellow lawyers. This was previously the case although there has been a move in the UK towards using ‘plain english’ and removing the now antiquated terms. It occurred to me that many British people might understand the various legal processes here in Spain a little better if a simple translation of the Spanish legal terms were provided. Hopefully the below list goes some way to achieving this.

Abogado - Lawyer. That’s an easy one which most people know already.
Acta - A document signed before a Notary when adding a property to the land register.
Agrupacion – The process of combining various plots of land.
Arras – Deposit – Commonly appears in a rental agreement so check whether it is returnable or not.
Boletin de enganche - Certificate provided by an electrician who has the necessary Spanish qualifications.This certificate is a precondition for getting access to electrical power, and is essential when purchasing off-plan.
Certificado final de obra – Official certificate from an Architect confirming the building work has been completed.
Colegio oficial de arquitectos – Professional body which governs the conduct of architects.
Communidad de propietarios - Community of owners in an urbanization, similar to a Management Company in the UK.
Contrato de arrendamiento - Rental contract.
Contrato de opcion - A contractual option that may be exercised at a future date.
Copropietarios - Co-owners.
Declaracion de obra nueva - A deed signed before a Notary confirming the construction of new buildings. This may need to be done where an Escritura is out of date.
Embargo - Seizure or legal charge. Important to check whether land or property has an embargo registered against it.
Escritura - A certificate of purchase issued by a Notary.
Fianza - Security bond or deposit – once again important to check whether this is returnable or not.
Finca – Plot of land, either with or without buildings.
Hacienda publica – Tax office
Hipoteca - Mortgage.
I.B.I – Local real estate tax, often incorrectly referred to as the Suma tax.
Impuesto de actos juridicos documentados - Stamp duty.
Impuesto de transmisiones patrimoniales - Transfer tax (currently 7% subject to certain exceptions) of the amount declared in the escritura.
Impuesto sobre el patrimonio - Wealth tax.
Impuesto sobre sucesiones y donaciones - Death duty and inheritance tax.
Impuestos municipales - Municipal or local taxes.
IVA (Impuesto Sobre el Valor Anadido) - Value added tax which varies according to the service provided or goods sold.
Licencia de obras – Permission to commence building – essential when purchasing off-plan.
Memoria de Calidades – Detailed building specifications.
NIE (Numero Personal de Indentificacion de Extranjero) – Similar in some ways to a National Insurance number in the UK. Essentially a tax identification number for foreigners.
Nota Simple Informativa - Land registry entry showing ownership and charges. A copy of an Escritura is not proof of current ownership.
Parcela - Plot of land.
Permiso de obra menor - Permission for small construction works.
Plan parcial - Partial development plan of a community or urbanisation.
Planta - Floor (i.e. in an apartment building).
Plus valia – A local tax calculated with reference to the increase in a property’s catastral value. Usually paid by the vendor.
Procurador – Similar in some ways to a barrister in the UK although without the silly headgear. The Procurador ensures that the court formalities are complied with, but takes a back seat role during the court hearing.
Propietario - Owner of property or possession.
Registro de la propiedad - Land registry (divided into many different sub registries).
S.A. (Sociedad Anonima) - Public limited company.
S.L. (Sociedad Limitada) – Private limited company.
Separacion a linderos - Minimum distance between neighbouring properties.
Servidumbre de transito – To use the old English term ‘Easment’ - Right of way/access rights.
Solar - Plot.
Suelo no urbanizable - Land protected from building.
Suelo urbanizable - Land that can be built on.
Suelo urbano - Urban or built up land.
Topografo – Land Surveyor
Traspaso - transfer of rental or lease contracts – commonly in respect of an established business. Care needs to be taken to ensure that the purchaser is not simply paying a large sum to take on a new lease.
Valor catastral - value of property as determined by the Catastro office.

© Sleepwell Marketing S.L.. 2005 – All rights reserved.

Information courtesy of Marc White LL.B. (English Solicitor) - Visit homepage

If you have any questions then please email us: info@spanishadvertiser.info using your spanish advertiser email address and we will endeavour to return your query as soon as possible.