PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU BUY A RUSTIC FINCA ANYWHERE IN CATALUNYA!!!!!!!!!!
In the last couple of weeks, I have heard numerous cases of foreign families being stopped by the authorities, from renovating or building on land in Catalunya.
I live in the Mora d’Ebre, Gandesa, Tortosa triangle, and for many years, foreigners have bought rustic fincas to either reform the house already on it or to build from new. May i also add, that most of this has been done illegally, without permissions, Architects etc etc etc.
It seems that the powers that be, have put their foot down very firmly!
There are actually families who have applied to build almacen’s, and received the written permission, then have been stopped in mid build. An English registered builder here in Spain, has met with the Architects of two families, and been told off the record by both of them, it is because they are not Spanish.
Now, let’s just hold on here!!!!!!!!!!
Of course, you are not going to get a professional person to admit that there is discrimination going on, or, dare i say it, the “R” word….....................racism…................but that sure as hell sounds like it to me.
One UK family who has been stopped in mid build (with permissions) has a large house on a small plot of land, only 300 meters away, and built recently…......................but it is owned by a Spanish family, how can that be?
A group of families are hoping to get together with a Spanish lawyer, who is more than sympathetic to their cause, but why should they have to fork out more money to pay a Lawyer, when they have done all the right things in the first place?
I think it is about time that the Spanish officialdom get their act together, about just how certain estate agents here, advertise that you can build, renovate and extend houses on fincas…..........................because it never really was true, but the local villages, in most cases closed a blind eye. BUT BEWARE NOW, because as soon as you have a truck of cement delivered, they are there to stop you, and yet, the agents still advertise openly that you can do this.
Even if there is a habitable sized house or ruin on the land, it does not automatically mean that you can renovate or rebuild, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, go to the Ajuntament and make enquiries, even if you have to pay someone to translate, it is worth it, rather than buy a property that you will never be allowed to develop…..........and believe me, the number of people in this situation is growing by the day.
Does it seem that Catalunya has had enough of foreigners?
I was asked the other day by a client, ” it’s OK to purchase property, pay the taxes, buy building materials, food, petrol, etc and put money into the local community. It’s wonderful that Spain has had more money from the EU, than any other country, so that it could catch up with the rest of Europe. But it cant get it’s act together in regulating the property sales sector, so that more foreign families dont have to go through this hell”.....................what can you say to that?
All i can say is, if you go out looking at rustic properties, and the agent tells you that you can build, or reform without problems…..............walk away, and save your money.
The only place close to Catalunya where you can legally build on rustic land is Aragon, and who knows, maybe if everybody flocks there, it could also stop.
The lower part of Aragon is called Matarrana, and it is stunningly beautiful, i know of numerous families building family sized homes, and they are registered as “viviendas” (houses) when they are finished, not just an Almacen for machinery. Search on google for finca in Matarrana, and have a look.
Hope this helps, and if anyone would like more information, please just email me.
Regards
Jools