Villa in Spain

Posted: Wed Mar 6, 2019 10:47am

8 replies311 views7 members subscribed

Motormike

Posts: 12

2 helpful points

Location: Olula del Río

Joined: 4 Feb 2017

We bought a villa 2 years ago in Andalusia, Chercos, a lovely villa in a very nice area close to the pretty town of Chercos, 15 minutes from Machael the area famous for the marble. We used a recommended local solicitor who assured us the villa although built on Rustic land was perfectly legal, several times we asked him if it was ok to go ahead with the purchase. Once we had paid his bill and tax we asked for the deeds (escritura) however he said that there was a problem, the land the villa was built on was still in the builders name and the plot had to be segregated, this was not mentioned before, when we got architects involved they said that it was not possible to segregate the land as it was Rustic land.

We sacked the solicitor and tried to sort it ourselves but found it difficult as we don't speak Spanish so employed an interpreter who accompanied us to several meetings with architects. Out of frustration we employed another solicitor recommended by the interpreter who at first seemed to know what we were up against and now eventually we have got the land segregation and registered at the Cadastro in Almeria .

Now we want to sell the villa, it turns out the villa was never given a habitation license, the paperwork we had turned out to be mainly false.

Absolute mine field, cost so far in fees 10,000€ still not finished.

Lost all faith in Spanish solicitors, my advice to anyone thinking of buying a property in Spain is simply DONT.

Sorry to be so negative but it has been for us and still is a very traumatic experience, you put your trust and money in professional advice and just get screwed.

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Posted: Wed Mar 6, 2019 11:31am

OSSY

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Posts: 139

73 helpful points

Location: Huércal-Overa

Joined: 20 Nov 2016

Posted: Wed Mar 6, 2019 11:31am

Motormike,

It is very disheartening to hear of your troubles and what seems like complete and utter ineptitude on your solicitors side, I agree it is like a minefield of absolute bureaucracy over here when it comes to buying property. There is a lady that works in Zurgena that I believe is not a registered solicitor but is able to do quite in depth searches on properties and has saved quite a few Brits from the quagmire of purchasing illegal properties.

If she can help in any way Private message me and I will gladly pass on her details, she is british too.

regards

Ossy

Posted: Thu Mar 7, 2019 2:35pm

Motormike

Original Poster

Posts: 12

2 helpful points

Location: Olula del Río

Joined: 4 Feb 2017

Posted: Thu Mar 7, 2019 2:35pm

Thanks Ossy

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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 2:36pm

Denise1661

Posts: 23

Location: San Juan De Los Terreros

Joined: 15 Aug 2018

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 2:36pm

Wow what a story. I also know of these situations but like you would have trusted the solicitor and ended up in your situation. We are selling out beach apartment and we’re thinking of buying an older inland property so thank you for your post it is a reminder and lesson to others.

May be renting really is the best option. Good luck for the future

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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 4:45pm

Motormike

Original Poster

Posts: 12

2 helpful points

Location: Olula del Río

Joined: 4 Feb 2017

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 4:45pm

Renting definitely a good option, with hindsight we should of.

Best of luck

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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 6:49pm

OSSY

Helpful member

Posts: 139

73 helpful points

Location: Huércal-Overa

Joined: 20 Nov 2016

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 6:49pm

I think renting is a viable option but long term sense dictates dead money, I would prefer to pay off my own mortgage than someone else's, I would rather it be paying although it may be a great alternative for the people on an uncertain tether, for anyone wanting to make Spain their home and reap financially, bricks (stone) and mortar are always the best ROI as long as you have done the research to find the best and most stable area to purchase.

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Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:17pm

alant

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Posts: 253

154 helpful points

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 8 Aug 2015

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:17pm

Buy in Arboleas, not all properties are legal yet but Arboleas is the only pueblo in Andalucia to have made any progress in legalizing any properties under the recent laws.

I spoke to the lord mayor last week and he told me legalizing the first section )Los Torres) was a minefield because it had not been done before but now he thought the rest was going to be easy.

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Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 6:12pm

Carwyn99

Posts: 31

25 helpful points

Location: Partaloa

Joined: 21 Jan 2019

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 6:12pm

You are correct to say Arboleas made more progress than most town councils in making properties legal but the process has been ongoing for over 10 years now with their main problem being the goal posts are constantly being moved.

Only 100% sure way of buying a legal house is to buy a property in a town or village which was built pre 1975. Or as previously said rent.

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Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2020 6:29pm

L181SKY

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Posts: 999

690 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 24 Jan 2017

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2020 6:29pm

You would get an AFO now anyway so not all bad news. I’m sure you know that by now. I felt the same too , we have applied for AFO and will feel just as bad as you if we don’t get one. I advise anyone to rent.