General info please 😊

Hello,

Each local authority will have different rules and regulations about how to set up the business if indeed you are allowed on your property of choice and as to how they designate the land eg if your house is located in "Zona Rural" you might not be able to start your BnB. I cannot recommend strongly enough that, once you have found a property, you make an appointment to see a technician in the Departamento de Urbanismo where the property is located. Have your list of questions ready then ie run your plans by them then. Do not buy without going through this step. I have done this twice and had I not done, the consequences would have been far, far reaching. Do no rely on the estate agent if he/she tries to convince you that you buy the property first and deal with the admin, permissions later. You could live to regret it.

While I am here, make sure that the previous owners have the permission/licenses from the local authority on any improvements or extensions they have made on the property. If you buy the property and a license was not obtained by the previous owner, you will be in for many  a sleepless night. Again, check this with the Departamento de Urbanismo, do not rely on the estate agent nor sign on he dotted line until all this is in order.

Thank you for that information, we've got lots to think about for sure.

Its good to hear from people who have actually been there and done it so thanks again.

Can you reccomend a reputable estate agent? 

Thanks

Karon 

With the very greatest respect, if you are in your late 40s, I am assuming that you will still need some kind of income unless you have private means? It would be unwise to rely on the possibility of income rental, especially under current conditions.

You will need to prove a means of support to the Spanish authorities, which is set to increase after January 1st and also fully comprehensive private medical insurance paid in advance for at least a year. After this you may apply for the Convenio Especial in the Valencia area, which will require a contribution monthly of some 65eu each, but which will entitle you to full healthcare.

It is considered advisable to have sufficient funds for a minimum of a year if you are still of working age and need income to live.

Thanks Stephanie86 for your information. We are just thinking of being able to have a holiday let to supplement an income i will have from uk. Also we were planning on coming over with at least 2 years of funds for bills etc. 

Just looking at options, thanks for mentioning about the payment of 65euros. There's a lot to think about. Have you lived in Spain long? If so are you happy you made the move? 😊

My advice would be that you should not under any circumstances consider moving to Spain factoring in rental income as part of your budget. Consider any potential income from letting as a bonus.

Also be aware that in a rural area everyone knows everyone and you may never find out if your Tourist Licence application was denied legitimately. Tourist licences are pretty hard to get in some places right now, and that's before you have succeeded in the permissions you will need for building conversion. 

But.... it can be done, just don't factor in the income as guaranteed. Without that income you will need enough annual income to satisfy the criteria of a non EU resident when applying for Resident status, required after 90 days in the country.

Steve

Hi KalMal,

 We are not typical of people here; my family has been in this area for over 60 years, but my partner and I lived in England and worked there. At the time my family came here there were absolutely no opportunities beyond child bearing for young women. I lived here with them for a period then was forced to return to UK for all kinds of complex reasons. My partner and I retired here some 4 years ago, within easy driving distance of the area where my family lived - my mother is now in a Residencia.

I learnt Spanish as a teenager, although much of it has faded through disuse, but I can still get by relatively easily.

So yes, we like ti here, and it is very unlikely that we would ever return to UK - we have no relatives there and the weather cannot compare!!!! I was distraught at leaving our very nice life and friends, but my partner was insistent, he had reached a stage in life when he wanted a complete change and an escape. One makes a life, and we now have several friends and acquaintances here.

We Ive a little too far out in the campo for convenience, but one becomes accustomed; whether I would still want to be here when older and infirm, I doubt.

I would most strongly advise you to take the advice re rental income given by other posters most seriously; you will have to have licences, permissions, and most certainly pay tax; this is a consideration if you are ploughing money into a conversion, if it is allowed. There is a member of this forum - DaveBev1 - whom, I believe, is a professional landlord and rental property owner, if you search for his guides, he is most helpful and knows all there is to be known re rental income etc.

Thanks Steve, its all good info and helpful for making decisions. 

Good to know and take on board your comments about rural areas. As its definitely a rural property we are after.

Do you know how much you need to satisfy the powers that be youve got enough to support yourself? 😊

If after having read all the other replies, with which I whole-heartedly agree (very, very sound advice) you still want to go ahead, the area you want to buy in would be a guide to you estate agent. Two very reliable ones come to mind but neither of them are going to be much help: in La Marina Urbanisation the Welsh   lady (Alison) who runs it would not risk her hard earned reputation over 17 years in the business. I believe she is very well known in the area, well liked and would have to much to lose if she did not live up to her reputation. Her sales go beyond the urbanization to "casas rurales" too.

The other (this is going to be less helpful) a member on the forum had been to see an estate agent so as to buy  an apartment  to start a new life out here. He made her well aware of all the pitfall (more or less on the lines of the other replies you have received) before she should even consider moving out. She asked if whether to take in account his advice.  I was the first to reply that had encouraged her to go ahead she could have found herself in an reversibly regretful situation. Why can't all estate agents be like that?  :-)

Hi Karon,

Others have offered some very good advice here so I will seek to answer the other part of your question re Monover. Basically we love it. It is very Spanish but that is the appeal. It is close enough to the airport (30 mins) to be effective for your guests and family once this current situation improves. Other points:

• Depends on budget as always but in the area north of the town there are some lovely properties with stunning views over Elde and the surrounding mountains
• There are not a lot of expats here, which works but if that is sought then Pinoso is only 20 minutes up the road. That said we have met 2 families and have a few more contacts who have fast become friends, together with our previous owner's family who are great and the younger ones speak English or help us with our Spanish
• There may be Spanish lessons locally but the current conditions may have closed that down, DuoLingo is our friend though plus Google Translate for the sticky stuff
• Monover Town Hall has yet to shine as being helpful even with Padrons which they would receive central financial benefit from...sigh, but it can be overcome...especially if you get an electronic certificate for your laptop, it opens doors
• TFX and Sabadel Bank at Pinoso are fantastic....TIEs, car replating etc and Nuria at Sabadel could not be more helpful, with humour - all banking done in English and Spanish. We like Alicante Dream Homes - well they found us this house but they are also lovely people, very honest, they listened and there was no pressure.

PM us if any of this makes sense or you'd like more.

Our best wishes with your future move.

D&J