Table of contents:<\/h2>\n\n- Checking a property in Spain before buying: required documents<\/a><\/li>\n
- What else to check before buying property in Spain<\/a><\/li>\n
- FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Buying a home is one of the most important decisions in our lives. It is not only a major financial investment, but also a serious transaction with a wide range of legal implications and obligations. That is why, before signing any purchase contract, it is crucial to carefully review all documents in order to protect yourself as much as possible from potential issues and additional expenses in the future.<\/p>\n
In this article, we explain which key documents you should request and check both when buying a new-build home and when purchasing a resale property in Spain, as well as which additional checks may be worthwhile.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alegria-premium.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/check_property_2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Checking a property in Spain before buying: required documents<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe list of required documents includes:<\/p>\n
\n- Extract from the Property Registry \u2014 Nota simple informativa<\/a>. The extract not only confirms ownership rights to the property, but also indicates the number of owners, their ownership shares, any encumbrances, easements, and other restrictions, as well as characteristics such as area, location, boundaries with neighboring properties, etc. The validity of the Nota simple informativa is 3 months, so you should pay attention to the issue date. The extract can be requested by either the seller or the buyer. To do so, you need the registration details: cadastral number, CRU number, or the exact address of the property. You can request the extract at the Property Registry office where the property is located or via the Registrars\u2019 Association website<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Documents establishing ownership. The notarized deed of sale (Escritura P\u00fablica<\/a>) confirms that the person selling the property legally acquired it previously. Similar documents may include a deed of inheritance or a deed of gift acceptance. If you are buying a new-build from a developer, you should also verify the existence of the first occupancy license, the certificate of completion, and compliance with urban planning regulations.<\/li>\n
- Energy efficiency certificate, which shows the property\u2019s energy performance. First, a home\u2019s energy efficiency directly affects energy consumption and may have financial consequences in the medium term, so it is important for the buyer to know the property\u2019s rating. Second, the energy certificate is among the mandatory documents without which the notary will not complete the transaction.<\/li>\n
- Certificate of habitability (C\u00e9dula de habitabilidad). It confirms that the property meets the minimum requirements for sanitation, hygiene, and structural safety necessary for living. The certificate is not mandatory in all autonomous communities, so you should consult local legal requirements. In some municipalities, this document may be required to connect basic utilities such as water, electricity, or gas.<\/li>\n
- Receipts for utilities, taxes, and community fees. Before signing the deal, you must ensure there are no outstanding debts on current payments. Request the most recent paid receipts or bank statements for water, electricity, and gas. For the annual property tax IBI<\/a>, we recommend requesting not only the latest receipt but also a certificate of no outstanding debt for previous periods. The same applies to community fees: you need not only proof of the most recent payment (fees may be paid monthly or quarterly) but also a certificate from the management company confirming there are no arrears.<\/li>\n
- Deposit agreement (contrato de arras). This contract is signed when reserving a property and paying a deposit. It is important to review the rights and obligations of both parties in case the deal is cancelled, as well as the deadlines set for completing the transaction. It is also important to ensure that the seller\u2019s details and the property details in the deposit agreement match the data in the Nota simple informativa.<\/li>\n
- Technical inspection report (ITE). This document is only required if you are buying a home in an older building. Requirements vary by region, so you must follow local regulations. In some areas, \u201cold\u201d buildings are those over 35 years, while in others \u2014 over 50 years. In any case, the technical report should confirm the building\u2019s condition and level of maintenance. You can review it through the building\u2019s management. At the same time, you should find out whether any planned works (derramas) have been approved by the homeowners\u2019 meeting, requiring additional contributions from owners. As a rule, routine maintenance and minor repairs are covered by regular fees. However, urgent works or major repairs (for example, replacing or installing elevators) or repainting facades may require extraordinary contributions. Sometimes this can amount to several thousand euros. If you are buying in a very old building, you should also check whether it is classified as architectural heritage and subject to protection rules with the corresponding restrictions and requirements.<\/li>\n
- Bylaws of the homeowners\u2019 association<\/a> and the minutes of the last two general meetings. The bylaws set out possible restrictions (for example, on tourist rentals, installing awnings or equipment on balconies, etc.), while the minutes may record decisions about future costly extraordinary repair or improvement works in the building or urbanization.<\/li>\n
- Cadastral extract indicating the valor de referencia. Valor de referencia is an indicator of a property\u2019s market value, reviewed and updated annually based on completed notarized transactions. Valor de referencia is an estimated value used to calculate certain taxes, including the ITP<\/a> (property transfer tax paid when buying resale property). If the agreed transaction price is lower than the estimated market value, the tax will be calculated based on the valor de referencia.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alegria-premium.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/check_property_3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
What else to check before buying property in Spain<\/strong><\/h2>\nIt is important to assess the overall condition of the property \u2014 what can be seen with the naked eye or checked with tools: absence of mold and condensation on walls (especially in bathrooms), proper functioning of appliances, heating and air conditioning systems, quality of window glazing, absence of cracks and gaps in walls both inside and outside the building, condition of electrical wiring and water pipes, etc. According to Spain\u2019s largest independent valuation company Tinsa<\/a>, which also prepares property condition reports for mortgage purposes, one in four properties has serious issues that are not immediately obvious. After purchase, identifying and fixing such problems can be expensive for the new owner.<\/p>\n
Buying a home is one of the most important decisions in our lives. It is not only a major financial investment, but also a serious transaction with a wide range of legal implications and obligations. That is why, before signing any purchase contract, it is crucial to carefully review all documents in order to protect yourself as much as possible from potential issues and additional expenses in the future.<\/p>\n
In this article, we explain which key documents you should request and check both when buying a new-build home and when purchasing a resale property in Spain, as well as which additional checks may be worthwhile.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Checking a property in Spain before buying: required documents<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe list of required documents includes:<\/p>\n
\n- Extract from the Property Registry \u2014 Nota simple informativa<\/a>. The extract not only confirms ownership rights to the property, but also indicates the number of owners, their ownership shares, any encumbrances, easements, and other restrictions, as well as characteristics such as area, location, boundaries with neighboring properties, etc. The validity of the Nota simple informativa is 3 months, so you should pay attention to the issue date. The extract can be requested by either the seller or the buyer. To do so, you need the registration details: cadastral number, CRU number, or the exact address of the property. You can request the extract at the Property Registry office where the property is located or via the Registrars\u2019 Association website<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Documents establishing ownership. The notarized deed of sale (Escritura P\u00fablica<\/a>) confirms that the person selling the property legally acquired it previously. Similar documents may include a deed of inheritance or a deed of gift acceptance. If you are buying a new-build from a developer, you should also verify the existence of the first occupancy license, the certificate of completion, and compliance with urban planning regulations.<\/li>\n
- Energy efficiency certificate, which shows the property\u2019s energy performance. First, a home\u2019s energy efficiency directly affects energy consumption and may have financial consequences in the medium term, so it is important for the buyer to know the property\u2019s rating. Second, the energy certificate is among the mandatory documents without which the notary will not complete the transaction.<\/li>\n
- Certificate of habitability (C\u00e9dula de habitabilidad). It confirms that the property meets the minimum requirements for sanitation, hygiene, and structural safety necessary for living. The certificate is not mandatory in all autonomous communities, so you should consult local legal requirements. In some municipalities, this document may be required to connect basic utilities such as water, electricity, or gas.<\/li>\n
- Receipts for utilities, taxes, and community fees. Before signing the deal, you must ensure there are no outstanding debts on current payments. Request the most recent paid receipts or bank statements for water, electricity, and gas. For the annual property tax IBI<\/a>, we recommend requesting not only the latest receipt but also a certificate of no outstanding debt for previous periods. The same applies to community fees: you need not only proof of the most recent payment (fees may be paid monthly or quarterly) but also a certificate from the management company confirming there are no arrears.<\/li>\n
- Deposit agreement (contrato de arras). This contract is signed when reserving a property and paying a deposit. It is important to review the rights and obligations of both parties in case the deal is cancelled, as well as the deadlines set for completing the transaction. It is also important to ensure that the seller\u2019s details and the property details in the deposit agreement match the data in the Nota simple informativa.<\/li>\n
- Technical inspection report (ITE). This document is only required if you are buying a home in an older building. Requirements vary by region, so you must follow local regulations. In some areas, \u201cold\u201d buildings are those over 35 years, while in others \u2014 over 50 years. In any case, the technical report should confirm the building\u2019s condition and level of maintenance. You can review it through the building\u2019s management. At the same time, you should find out whether any planned works (derramas) have been approved by the homeowners\u2019 meeting, requiring additional contributions from owners. As a rule, routine maintenance and minor repairs are covered by regular fees. However, urgent works or major repairs (for example, replacing or installing elevators) or repainting facades may require extraordinary contributions. Sometimes this can amount to several thousand euros. If you are buying in a very old building, you should also check whether it is classified as architectural heritage and subject to protection rules with the corresponding restrictions and requirements.<\/li>\n
- Bylaws of the homeowners\u2019 association<\/a> and the minutes of the last two general meetings. The bylaws set out possible restrictions (for example, on tourist rentals, installing awnings or equipment on balconies, etc.), while the minutes may record decisions about future costly extraordinary repair or improvement works in the building or urbanization.<\/li>\n
- Cadastral extract indicating the valor de referencia. Valor de referencia is an indicator of a property\u2019s market value, reviewed and updated annually based on completed notarized transactions. Valor de referencia is an estimated value used to calculate certain taxes, including the ITP<\/a> (property transfer tax paid when buying resale property). If the agreed transaction price is lower than the estimated market value, the tax will be calculated based on the valor de referencia.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/p>\n
What else to check before buying property in Spain<\/strong><\/h2>\nIt is important to assess the overall condition of the property \u2014 what can be seen with the naked eye or checked with tools: absence of mold and condensation on walls (especially in bathrooms), proper functioning of appliances, heating and air conditioning systems, quality of window glazing, absence of cracks and gaps in walls both inside and outside the building, condition of electrical wiring and water pipes, etc. According to Spain\u2019s largest independent valuation company Tinsa<\/a>, which also prepares property condition reports for mortgage purposes, one in four properties has serious issues that are not immediately obvious. After purchase, identifying and fixing such problems can be expensive for the new owner.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n