Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 9:00am
Hello Sharon, an NIE is just like an NI number in UK, you need it to buy anything of any value; car, house, fridge, phone contract etc, links you to the tax system and it doesn't matter who gets it for you and it doesn't commit you to anything. You could get one, decide not to buy anything and that will be that. Ask them how much they are going to charge for getting it but, having been through it myself, I would contact Uma at getlegalinspain.com, she really is a lovely Spanish lady who speaks perfect English and can cut through the cr*p for you. Have a look at her website to see what she can help you with.
The estate agent will also recommend a solicitor (abogado), possibly telling you that everything will go much smoother, quicker and easier if you use them, DON'T! Get your own independent one who will be looking out for your best interests, not the estate agent's.
Estate agents are not regulated here (apart from voluntary regulation) and their methods can be questionable at times. They are consummate sales people, not your friends, and they are being paid handsomely by the vendor to sell their property and are therefore not very likely to tell you anything which is likely to put you off buying.
If there is any likelihood that you will be wanting to rent your property out when you are not here, there are very strict laws regarding Tourist Licences and you will need one even if just renting to friends and family for a minimal fee. The main bathroom will have to be 4.5 m2 minimum, it will not get a licence in what the Town Hall considers to be residential areas and never take the word of the estate agent that "Next door has got one and it is exactly the same" as the Town Hall may have decided that there are enough tourist lets in that area and will no longer issue them. It is taking a minimum of 8 months to get a licence.
What you see in summer could be totally different in winter, and vice versa, but if you only really want to use it in summer, that won't be a problem butlLike any resort in the UK, things can get very quiet and bars and restaurants can close down out of season.
If you search this site for Jim's Guides under Everywhere, you will find some very helpful guides from Jim, and others, including a very helpful guide for hiring a car from UKHandyMan4Hire and tourist lets from DaveBev1.
The Costa Blanca suffers from flash flooding. Most of the entire annual rainfall arrives on just a handful of days a year, the soil is slow draining and roads become torrents as the water finds its way downhill to the sea or the lakes. It won't last long but it can be very damaging to property. Have a google!
There are hundreds of all types of property for sale all the time so don't believe the urgency the estate agent will use as pressure for you to put down a deposit, usually €3,000, as this is non-refundable. I, personally, would never consider buying off plan as there is no guarantee the builder won't go bust and even if your property is finished, it doesn't mean that the infrastructure will be completed.
If you don't want to hire a car every time you visit, familiarize yourself with bus timetables and routes and again, don't accept what the agent tells you.
If you find a property you like, visit it at different times of day. Are the neighbouring properties guarded by dogs who bark non-stop, at midnight is there music pumping out from local bars, is the property secure with grilles on all the windows? Don't be lulled into a false sense of security with gated communities as yes, there may be gates at the entrances but then low walls all around the perimeter and the type of things they are after don't need a removal lorry.
If you decide to use a key-holder make sure they are registered and legal (Fincas Inland have a very good reputation) otherwise you risk being fined heavily if caught using cash in hand operators, spurious repair bills and even having them rent your property out when they know you will not be there.
As non-residents you will have to pay non-resident's tax on your property and ongoing costs will include IBI (Council tax), rubbish charges, standing monthly charges for water, electric and bank charges and holiday home insurance but you can get pay as you go deals for internet and TV.
You may want to consider giving your Abogado Power of Attorney to deal with things when you are in UK as this is very common and I haven't heard anything negative connected with this practice.
Please don't think I am trying to put you off because this is a beautiful place to have a holiday home or live full-time but if I was just starting the process myself, my first port of call would be Uma at getlegalinspain.
Enjoy your trip but keep your wits about you. All the very best.