Bigbroondug1

Just wondering what additional costs people faced that they maybe hadn't taken into consideration? Some things i was wondering, is there any kid of tv licence in Spain, costs to transfer utilities, rough cost of internet, pool and or any land maintenance?
I was also wondering if most people shipped there furniture or started fresh? If took own large items how did you get them there and rough idea of cost? I have read UK TVs don't work in Spain, why is that? How about fridges, freezers etc?

missile

is there any kid of tv licence in Spain, ............… NO
costs to transfer utilities, ..................… CONNECTION CHARGES VARY DEPENDING ON LOTS OF THINGS _ BEST TO ASK AGENT
rough cost of internet, ...............… BUDGET FOR 30€ per month
pool ..................… BUDGET FOR 25€ per month or DIY
and or any land maintenance? ..................… I DIY, DO YOU EMPLOY GARDNER IN UK?
I was also wondering if most people shipped there furniture or started fresh? ............… I TOOK FURNITURE, BUT …...
If took own large items how did you get them there and rough idea of cost? ...………. IT COST ME MORE THAN ITEMS WERE WORTH
I have read UK TVs don't work in Spain, ............… IF YOU WANT TO WATCH UK TV? you will need sky and / or internet connection
why is that? ...............…. N/A
How about fridges, freezers etc? .........…. ALL MY EX UK APPLIANCES WORKED

Notdunroamin

You left something off your list - is it safe to drink the water?

The answer is YES btw!

tebo53

Unless your furniture or white goods are almost new it's not worth the cost of bringing them here. It will be easier to buy new here.

TV'S bought in UK will "work" here but will need Iptv or sky connection etc.

Any electrical items purchased in the UK will work but you will need to have an adapter or fit a Spanish plug.

My high speed fibre optic broadband costs me 70€ per month but it's worth it to me as I get all UK tv channels with no bother. No tv licence required here in Spain.

Steve

Bigbroondug1

Thanks for all replies. How about property surveys, are there different kinds as in UK, who is responsible for these. Is there a comeback if you find issues that weren't highlighted on a full survey?

mikelincs

Surveys are much rarer in Spain, mainly because there is little or no wood in houses, even the rooves, so little to cause problems, but you can have one done, but it will be at your cost.

Moses2013

What would it have to do with wood? What a normal survey would include:External Areas, Internal Areas, Other

1. Roof and chimneys
2. Guttering and flashing
3. Settlement cracks
4. Movement in foundations
5. Windows and doors
6. Drainage
7. Boundaries
8. Path and driveway
9. Interior attic space
10. Ceilings and floors
11. Interior walls
12. Windows and doors
13. Heating system
14. Plumbing and Electrics
15. Working fireplaces
16. Ventilation and damp
17. Insulation
18. Compliance with Building Regulations
19. Boundary infringements
20. Boundary conditions

missile

When I purchased my house, I asked about a survey and no one had a clue what I was talking about.

Lynn R

The people who bought my old house in 2017 had a survey done (by a British guy based in Granada province, incidentally) and the people who bought a friend's house nearby the following year also had a survey done by the same person (they both used the same estate agent so I guess they recommended him, may or may not have been a good idea to use someone connected to the estate agent!). I have no idea how much it cost or how thorough it was, of course.

I didn't have a survey done when I originally bought the house in 2003 nor did I have one when I bought my present apartment in 2017.

I understand that if any major defect is detected after purchase it must be raised within 6 months of the date of purchase, otherwise there is no redress.

Bigbroondug1

As it will be our forever home we would really like to feel secure that all or at least most of these things are ok. Would also hate to have major additional costs for things we hadn't anticipated.. Any recommendations where I can find further information on this? Thank you

Moses2013

It is mainly done by an arquitecto técnico.

From justlanded but true:
If you’re buying a detached villa, farmhouse or village house, especially one built on the side of a hill, it’s always advisable to have a survey carried out. Common problems include rusting water pipes and leaky plumbing, inadequate sewage disposal, poor wiring, humidity and rising damp (no damp course), uneven flooring or no concrete base, collapsing facades, subsidence, and cracked internal and external walls. Some of these problems are even evident in developments less than five years old. Generally, if you would have a survey done on a similar property in your home country, then you should have one done in Spain

Moses2013

Your best bet would be to google architects in area where you are buying and to contact directly. Many will speak English and here some very good information:Before we start explaining the work of an architect in Spain let me inform you that there has been a proliferation lately of intermediaries who position themselves in internet as professionals of the building industry or even solicitors or accountants who are offering the services of architects. Well these people will obviously pass the work to the architects that they have on their list and charge a percentage of the fees that you will end up paying yourselves.

They make themselves visible on the web gaining a privileged position by paying a high SEO.



The role of an architect in Spain

Spain is becoming in many aspects very similar to the UK and for that matter to the rest of European countries due to the increasing influence on the Spanish legislation by the EC, but when it comes to architects’ services there are substantial differences, especially if we compare it to the services offered by my colleagues in UK and France.

To start, it is obligatory to engage the services of a Spanish registered architect for new builds and for any rehabilitation if it will include structural reforms or changes on the façades in any way or form. A good rule of thumb is to ask at the local council if the works you intend to do requires a” minors work licence” or a “major works licence”. An architect is always required for the latter.
https://www.spanisharchitect.info/20...t-do-in-spain/

One important point to take into consideration is that, while in most European countries the architect requires the hiring of specialists such as structural engineers, energy consultants and quantity surveyors, here in Spain we are qualified to carry out these tasks and are normally included in our fees, this single fact makes our fees very competitive compared with those charged by our European colleagues.

However, we are not demigods by any means and there are idiosyncrasies which need to be explained here.

Barriej

We didn't have a survey done on the flat we purchasedl last year. Although I did talk to a few people including a local builder who said they were well built.
As to the services. Didn't pay anything. Our solicitor just informed the water. Electric. Community etc of us being the new owners.

I do worry sometimes though about will my white goods work. Spain isn't a 3rd world country and thanks to the EU our electrical supplies were harmonised years ago.
From the US or Canada I would agree.

Anyway. Really if you have a good solicitor there should be no surprises.

Although one is the extra tax you may have to pay on the difference between what your property cost and what the cadastral value (like UK rateable value)
We paid 80k for the flat but the cadastral was 92k so we had to pay the extra tax.

Casa Santo Estevo

Purchase of British food and drinks.
Income tax thresholds are different to the ones set by the UK.
No free perceptions.
Second hand cars are more expensive then the UK, but at least they are LHD.

And one last thing. A house which has stone walls and wooden features is possible to find. If you look for something more traditional.


Inside a renovated - traditional Spanish House

Lynn R

Unforeseen costs - don't underestimate how much it costs if you have to fly back to the UK at short notice in case of a bereavement or other family emergency and make sure you have contingency funds put aside for such things. I now find myself having to pay for just such a trip for the third time in seven months, and it isn't cheap especially if you need to pay for hotel accommodation.