Paperwork after buying the property​

Congratulations! You are now the owner of a property in Spain. However, signing the public deed doesn’t mean the process is over. There are still several administrative and legal procedures that you should take care of as soon as possible to avoid future problems and enjoy your new home with complete peace of mind.

Next, we’ll explain which ones are the most important.

1. Register the property at the Property Registry

Although the sale is completed with the signing of the public deed before a notary, it is highly recommended to register the property with the Land Registry.

Registration provides greater legal security, since it officially records who the new owner is and protects your rights against third parties.

Normally, this procedure is handled by the hired management office, although you can also take care of it yourself.

To register the house, you will need:

• The public deed of sale.
• The receipt showing that the corresponding taxes have been paid.
• Any additional documentation that the Registry may require.

 Once the property is registered, you’ll receive confirmation that the property is officially in your name.

2. Change the ownership or set up the utilities

One of the first steps after getting the keys is making sure all the utilities are in your name.

You will usually need to manage:

• Electricity.
• Water.
• Gas, if the house has this installation.I
• nternet.
• Landline phone, if you need it.

 In newly built properties, it’s necessary to set up some services for the first time, while in resale properties it’s usually enough to just request a change of ownership.

Before hiring a company, compare rates and terms to choose the option that best fits your needs.

3. Register if you’re going to live in the property

If your intention is to live in Spain regularly, one of the first things you’ll need to do is register with the local town hall.

 The municipal register proves your usual address and may be needed to carry out numerous administrative procedures.

Among other advantages, registering your residence can make it easier:

• Access to certain public services.
• Schooling for minors.
• Procedures related to healthcare.Processes with other public administrations.

To register, you usually need to show:

• ID card or passport.
• NIE, when applicable.
• Deed of sale or document proving the availability of the property.
• The form provided by the city council.

The requirements might vary a bit depending on the municipality.

4. Get home insurance

Although it’s not always mandatory, getting home insurance is one of the best decisions you can make as a homeowner.

If you financed the purchase through a mortgage, the bank might require at least insurance that covers damage to the structure of the house.

Also, you can expand your coverage with options like:

• Fires.
• Water damage.
• Weather events.
• Theft.
• Liability.
• Electrical damage.
• Urgent home assistance.

Comparing different policies will allow you to find the coverage that best suits your home and your budget.

5. Notify the change of ownership for the IBI

The Property Tax (IBI) is a local tax that property owners have to pay.

Although the transfer of ownership is usually communicated through the procedures derived from the sale, it’s advisable to check that the city council has properly updated the ownership to avoid issues with future bills.

. It’s also a good idea to check the notification address to make sure any communication reaches the correct place.

6. Informs the homeowners’ association

If you’ve bought an apartment or a home that’s part of a community, let the administrator or the community president know about the ownership change as soon as possible.

This way you will be able to:

• Update your information.
• Properly issue the receipts for community fees.
• Include you in the meeting calls.
• Provide you with the building’s internal rules.
• Give you, if applicable, remotes, keys, or access codes to common areas.

Also take the chance to learn about:

• The amount of the community fee.
• The rules of coexistence.
• The upcoming homeowners’ meetings.
• Possible special assessments already approved or planned.