[Anonymous]

Hi

through your site we have opened an account at La caixa – and are arranging a mortgage through them. The help from spanishpropertyinsight justifies the procuration fees you will recieve!!!!.

Could you therefore let me have your thoughts on a simple matter please. The house we are buying has an underbuild. We wish to convert to an apartment and have found a building firm we are happy with. We thought some from of planning consent would be vital but we received the following by e mail :

“In respect of the licence. The architect does not think it is necessary to apply for a building licence as all the work is being done underneath and nothing is actually being extended.”

Would you agree with this – or how can we find out for sure!??

The house is in Moraira – Costa Blanca North.

Hope you can help

Regards

Stephen

[Anonymous]

Dear Stephen,

If you are happy with your architect then it is reasonable to assume that he is giving you good advice. The best way to check would be to hire another architect to double check the proposed building work against the building restrictions and see if a licence is necessary. Architects are the ones best placed to advice you on these maters in Spain.

I am not an architect and know nothing about the case in question but I can say that often there no problems obtaining a building licence if you plan to build down rather than up. However if you plan to do serious work I would think that some sort of licence is required. Another option for you is to get a lawyer to contact the town hall to ask them what kind of work requires a building licence.

Kind regards

Mark

[Author]

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