Property
Notarial deeds, the Land Registry and strong regional variation in leases
Ownership passes by contract and delivery, but the notarial deed plus entry in the Property Registry is what secures the buyer against third parties. Urban leases are governed by the Urban Leases Act, with important regional and municipal overlays.
Key rules
- Registration in the Registro de la Propiedad gives strong protection to a good-faith purchaser.
- Residential tenants enjoy a minimum term extendable by law, with limits on deposits and increases.
- Property transfers attract transfer tax or VAT plus a municipal capital-gains levy on land value.
Governing law
- Civil Code (Código Civil)
- Urban Leases Act (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos)
In practice
Always obtain a nota simple from the registry before purchase: it reveals charges, mortgages and whether the seller is the registered owner.