The nota simple and other checks before buying a home in Spain
What the nota simple is, how to request it and which other documents to review before paying a deposit: IBI, community debts and energy certificate.
1 min read
Before handing over money for a home, check who owns it and whether it carries any charges. The first step is simple and inexpensive: the nota simple.
What the nota simple is
It is an information document from the Land Registry. It shows, among other data, the owner, the description of the property and recorded charges such as a mortgage or an attachment. It does not have the evidential value of a registry certificate, but it gives a reliable first picture.
How to request it
Anyone with a legitimate interest can request it online through the Registrars' website or at the relevant registry. Identifying the property is enough, and it usually arrives quickly.
What else to ask for
- The latest property tax (IBI) receipt.
- A certificate of community debts: unpaid fees do not always appear in the Registry.
- Recent minutes and any approved special levies.
- The energy performance certificate.
- Licences, if there have been works or changes of use.
Just before signing
Update the information: weeks can pass between deposit and deed. The notary will also consult the Registry.
If something does not add up, ask before paying. It is far easier to correct at that point.
