Do you want to buy a house in menorca?
If so and for a secure purchase, we set out below the most important points one should bear in mind :
1. One must ascertain that the vendor is really the legal owner of the property and is registered as such at the Land Registry. Check that the description of the property coincides with the description at the Land Registry, area, borders, etc.
2. One must request and obtain from the owner all the relevant documentation, i.e. Habitation Certificate, Installation Certificates for electricity and water. These papers are issued only when a construction is satisfactorily completed.
3. When buying a property, of which its construction is not totally finalised, it is advisable to withhold part of the purchase price to ensure that the work will be completed.
4. Before buying a plot of land, one must check whether you can obtain building permission. It is advised to obtain a certificate from the local Town Hall to this effect.
5. Before completion, the actual signing of the Deeds before a Notary, one must verify that the property is free of all encumbrances, i.e. unpaid taxes, community charges, mortgages or tenants.
6. In Spain, to buy or sell a property on behalf of someone else, one requires a Power of Attorney issued by a Notary. If this Power of Attorney is issued abroad it must be legalised with the relevant ''Apostille of The Hague'' and translated into Spanish.
7. If the vendor is foreign and not resident in Spain, then by law the purchaser must pay 5% retention of the purchase price to the Inland Revenue. This retention must be paid within 30 days after completion.
In our estate agency (api) with the purchase of Your house we make all the management with the maximum guarantee with no aditional cost.
For further information contact Juanjo Mascaró Huguet, lawer.
Avda. Menorca, 23 Bajos, MAHÓN (Menorca)
Telf. 971 367320
Fax. 971 351282
e-mail. mccsl@wanadoo.es