Habitation license / AFO?

an AFO is a legal document to make a rural property that has been standing for more than 4 years some legal status.  it means the property can be sold as is and can not be changed in anyway.  A first occupation licence is exactly that issued by the townhall to say that the property is fully legal and escritura can be issued.  Does the property have an escritura?  

Further inland there are many properties without AFOs with owners struggling to obtain them. It's not a straightforward business and can take years if at all. Personally I wouldn't touch such a property.

The seller should have the first occupancy license, as it could cost you a lot if money, as it needs a first occupations licence to be registered

Are you looking to get a First Occupation License copy for a property in Mojacar? In order to rent the property out short term/holiday let?

From recent experience of purchasing a property in Mojacar, the town hall in Mojacar will not issue a duplicate of a First Occupation license. They state that due to records being destroyed in a fire some time ago they are unable to locate the records for the original First Occupation license.

If you are going to live in the property yourself or rent it out long term the first occupation license is not required for anything - only needed if you want to rent it out for short term / holiday lets.

Thank you for your reply gatoenespagna33. It’s reassuring to hear that others have been through the same process. Thank you to everyone else who has replied too.  

Yes, our digging around has reached the same conclusion as you have outlined here. We’ve also discovered that rules in Andalucia have changed very recently and it is now also possible to apply for a short-term let tourist license without a First Occupation License. I spoke to a local solicitor who confirmed that they had successfully managed several applications in the last couple of months.

Of course having a First Occupation License is still ideal but it’s good to know that in some circumstances, it’s not vital. 

Having just sold a property which was on urban land,  with full escritura etc. I would get your solicitor to insist that ALL licences are in place for the sale to proceed and that the vendor does this. Its an expensive process and not one you want to be saddled with having to deal with once you are the owner. If the vendor refuses I would walk away from the deal.