Protect your deposits
Money paid before completion must be guaranteed by a bank guarantee or insurance policy and paid into a special account. Ask for an individual certificate for each payment.
Documents to request
- Building licence.
- Specification sheet (memoria de calidades).
- Floor plans with useful and built areas.
- First occupancy licence or declaration before handover.
Warranties
Spanish law (LOE) sets periods from completion: 1 year for finishes, 3 years for habitability defects such as damp or services, and 10 years for structural damage, covered by mandatory ten-year insurance.
Snagging at handover
Inspect every room before signing the handover record. Our new-build inspection gives you a photo snagging list to send to the developer.
Mortgage subrogation
Developers often have a construction loan that buyers can take over (subrogation). You are not obliged to accept it: compare with other banks before deciding.
After handover
Keep a list of any defects that appear in the first year and report them in writing. Communal defects are claimed by the owners’ community.
FAQ
Can I personalise finishes?
Many developers allow changes until a cut-off date; get them in writing.
What if completion is late?
Check the contract for penalties and your rights over guaranteed deposits.
Do I pay VAT?
Yes, first sale of a new home pays VAT plus stamp duty.
Is snagging common in Spain?
Increasingly so among informed buyers.