Property Registration - Page 4

I did think of that, Ray, and I assume it’s old style Pozo negro. I will look into that. I actually found out about these similar regulations in Italy, then France. 

Thank you for reminding me.     Jan

Thanks again, Kim.

I cannot begin to tell you how appreciative I am to have had so much help and advice from you and other members of this forum. I was, I admit, getting a little overwhelmed by it all and feeling that I was in a corner. You have given me back my strength and I’m ready to take on the world, my lawyer and the vendors!!

God bless you,

Jan

Hello again. The saga of the Villena house continues.

My lawyer has replied that the Habitation Certificate mentioned in the contract I signed only refers to new builds to make sure it has been built according to the plans. That some regions ask for this but that is makes no sense as the buildings are nearly all old. She says that they will check at the town hall to make sure there is no infraction and that the paperwork is correct.

They continue saying that the certificate is not necessary to change over water or electricity bills in my name, nor change the type of contract.

So, in effect, they say it is no longer necessary for an old house, even though they have converted the barn into unfinished living accommodation.

I think I am going to go mad!!!

Janice

Hi everyone,

Thanks to your help, my house purchase is going ahead with the vendors having requested the registration of the living accommodation in the ‘almacen’ and paying the costs for this.

The cedula de habitabilidad has also been applied for and a new regulation septic tank will be installed shortly, before I buy. I did the same as Ray did and accepted to pay half of the price quoted for this which will all be registered. 

The electricity, water and Suma will be transferred in my name. I am hoping to get the internet sorted ASAP as I work using internet so it is essential for me.

Keeping my fingers crossed, the transfer will go through smoothly at the end of the month, early August. The first thing I need to do is change all the locks and buy myself a bit of furniture!!!

I am grateful for all your advice and help.     Janice

Thank you Ray!

I lived for 40 years in Sardinia so I was virtually looking for the same living conditions I had there. Unfortunately Italy is too expensive now so my next best choice was Spain where I have had many good holiday and work experience over the years. 

Italy and Spain are very similar regarding legal requirements so I was expecting a lot of red tape! I usually was the one translating purchase deeds from Italian to English for the Brits buying holiday homes in Sardinia so got some good experience. Unfortunately, I had no contacts or points of reference in Alicante but hopefully we will get through the worst now, thanks to your help.

Janice

Hi everybody,

On the last leg of my journey to Villena! Our flights are booked for tomorrow, Monday morning and we have the appointment at the notary’s Booked for Wednesday morning. So far it has been a battle to get things done, but thanks to forum members, everything seems to be falling into place.

Except for: on my lawyer’s suggestion, I asked to see the property after the present owners had removed their possessions. Although the property was advertised as furnished, there will probably not be a stick of furniture anywhere. But as I said, on my lawyer’s advice I should see the property on or just before the day I sign over my money. Is that really so terrible? Apparently yes. This has caused so much trouble with the vendors saying that I can see it BEFORE they start their removal!!

The estate agent did say she would take me there but now it has become so difficult and they are offering me a visit at 9.30 am Wednesday, when we have the notary at 10.30. I really want to take photos of any ’horrors’ revealed by the lack of furniture, any removal of doors, cables, sockets -  anything which would jeopardise the sale from my point of view. I am not usually a suspicious person but quite frankly, I don’t even know these people and have seen them for no more that 20 minutes in all.

I presumed that if the lawyer advised me to see the property with the estate agent just before actually signing away my hard-earned cash, this would be to avoid nasty surprises. Why is the vendor being so difficult? Has she got something to hide?

Have any of you had this experience? If so, how did you deal with it.

Janice

We saw our last House the day before signing and found that the electricity meter had been removed.

It had been unoccupied and they hadn't paid a bill.

Signing was postponed until the meter was reinstated at the seller's cost. Additionally, he had to pay for two nights in a hotel for us as we couldn't stay in the house and power of attorney as we couldn't return for the new signing date.

Hello Janice, providing everything is local, I would think that an hour should be sufficient to get photographic evidence of any problems and then they can be discussed in detail at the Notary with your solicitor present.
When we got the keys to our house, furnished meant every single little bit of rubbish the vendor didn't want.....half used toothpaste and brushes, scribbles from grandchildren, clothes, shoes and ancient furniture and appliances. It really was as if she had given anything worthwhile away before putting it on the market then just walked out with a suitcase!
I'll keep everything crossed for you, you've been so strong so far, just this last little bit to go.

Thanks, Cheryl,

You are a gem. I have heard of stories where the vendors have ripped out cable that they needed for their new house and even taken away doors!!! I imagine that in my case they will remove a wood burning stove and the flue, leaving a hole in the wall!!! And I don’t think there will be a light bulb in the house, or a pool net in the pool. But I bet there will be a whole lot of rubble and rubbish around!!!

I just want to take photos of what is not in any agreement to confront them with if necessary. 

What annoys me is that I actually gave the vendor time to make an offer on the property she was buying, get a response and put a deposit in. As it was a bank repossession, she was given 30 days to complete. So our original signing date went past and then I had to pay, last minute,  nearly £800 for our flights (and we were lucky to get these seats!!!) so she had the money to pay for her new property within the time limit when I would have preferred to come back in September. Therefore I didn’t think that there would be any problem to let me see the house for an hour before going to the notary appointment as I had been reasonably flexible for their needs.

Anyway, I leave tomorrow morning and I still don’t have the confirmation from the estate agents. How rude is that? They keep saying “well, she’s letting you see the property before she moves, so what is your problem?”.  

Relyat, yes, anything can,and probably will happen!!! Let’s hope someone gets back to me today or I may withdraw from the agreement, even losing my deposit.  J.