[Anonymous]

We are hoping to purchase a small building plot with “edificable” from a UK resident, our questions are:

In Asturias can we still use our passport numbers to pay for the taxes related to the purchase if we have not received our NIE numbers back?

Can anyone clarify which taxes need to be paid within the 30 days after completion at the Notary Office, we understand that building plots have a different tax rating (IVA) at 16%, is this the same if we purchase from a developer or an individual?

How long does the certifado urbanistico last for, does it expire after 5 years as in the UK?

Any comments about the purchase of building land & the process of building a house would be gratefully recieved.

[Anonymous]

Hi Kevun,

I think the only identity numbers used when we brought our house were our passport numbers, but the estate agent we brought through had got us a NIF but I don’t think the notary had that. Cesar is probably the man to ask…

Advice: Start looking for a builder! Maybe Clive can help you…

They are VERY hard to come by (well at least if you want anything done in the same year..) and the good ones come very booked up…the ones we spoke to were booked for the whole of this year, ours only took the job on as we were very persistant and said he could do things a bit at a time, which is why its taking 8 months to renovate our house! It may only be ours, but we had to meet him a few times before he seemed to take us as a serious client, maybe he’d had bad experiences before!

If you are not going to be based here, use a project manager, if the architect is not going to act as this and make sure they know everything from where you want your sockets to the exact location of each brick (OK, maybe I exagerrate but it will slow things down if the PM has to get back to you and then get back to the builder..and the most unlikely questions come up!)

Be prepared for everything to take longer than you think, especially gaining obras/ licences (easy to apply yourself if your here) etc..make sure you budget for these; 4% of the quote here (in Siero). Oh and budget for the fact that everytime you transfer money to your builder etc, the bank will charge you commision (or open a bank account with the builders bank)…

Good luck, Asturias is a great place to be!

Heather

[Anonymous]

In Asturias can we still use our passport numbers to pay for the taxes related to the purchase if we have not received our NIE numbers back?

Nope, you DO have to apply for and use a NIE. You may open a Bank account (you’ll have three months to give them the number) or sign the private contract with your Passport number but only in a provisional basis, even the Notary will accept to draft the deeds with your passport but eventually you’ll have to provide the NIE (he wont take the documents to the Registry until full documentation is provided)

Have you applied for the NIE at the Spanish Consulate? if so, expect an important delay.

You may also do it in person at the foreigners office in Oviedo (Plaza de España, 3) although legal period is 2 to 5 weeks, last three times I went with my clients we got it the very same day (It took about 10 minutes) Anyway if for whatever reason you are unable to provide the NIE you could always fill the documents with your passport number but attaching a copy of the apply.

Can anyone clarify which taxes need to be paid within the 30 days after completion at the Notary Office, we understand that building plots have a different tax rating (IVA) at 16%, is this the same if we purchase from a developer or an individual?

To know if it is IVA or ITP + AJD the tax to pay you have to know if the vendor is a ‘professional’ or if the plot is the result of a recent urban/planning operation or development. Also, as you are buying from a non resident you will be retained an extra 5% to insure he pays the Capital Gain Tax

How long does the certifado urbanistico last for, does it expire after 5 years as in the UK?

The ‘Certificado Urbanístico’ is only an information document, it tells you if you can build in your land an what can be built there (square meters, distances to keep, max number of floors, height, etc..) this ‘information’ expires the very same day the Town Hall starts procedures to modify planning regulations as when the process starts licensing is suspended. So if you have a ‘Certificado Urbanístico’ and the plot is in Asturias you will have to recheck the conditions as in 2004 a new Land Law was approved (TROTUAS) and every Town Hall here is in the process of adapting their local planning regulations to the Law (Most of them just finished or nearly finished though)

Any comments about the purchase of building land & the process of building a house would be gratefully recieved.

Uff you should be a little more specific… books (maybe encyclopaedias) could be written…

Now, seriously, feel free to ask, not only is my professional area but, as Heather, I’m now immersed in the process of building my own house here… Architect, Aparejador, licenses, builder, materials, insurances, my wife (just joking dear if you are reading this)… a nightmare…

One first advice (personal experience)… after having calculated every possible costs you may have, do estimate an extra 15%… it’s simply unavoidable… at the end you will make changes

Cesar

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