I have located a small apartment by the beach in Oliva that would complement our house in the town. Perfect for our needs but it is a converted garage/store on the ground floor of a newish block. Apparently it was converted c.5 years ago and has been let as a holiday flat since.
I know it is not legal as the deeds record it as a garage. I am trying to establish the degree of risk and consequences of any action the Town Hall may take at some time in the future as until I can ascertain the extent of the risk I cannot give serious thought to making an offer and at what level.
There is a point where I will take the risk but not until I can establish the level of that risk.
There are many similar properties around the beach area that, I assume, are also not "legal"
I have spoken to my Spanish lawyer but remain unsure.

My questions are:-

i) Can the other owners in the block (4) denounce it.
ii) As it is recorded as a garage how do I deal with the IBI etc.
iii) What are the potential fines etc.
iv) If I apply for a certificate of habitation what are my chances of getting one and at what cost.

I would appreciate any answers.
Thanks in advance

I heard the Spanish tax man doesn't recognise trusts;apart from that aren't they very expensive to set up?

If the documents need to be notarised (ie signed in the presence of a notary) then you may be able to use a public notary in the UK (or Singapore??) if they belong to the brotherhood of notaries. We were able to do this for our Spanish wills as I am unable to travel to Spain at the moment.

sorry to hear you are incapacitated at the moment Mike.

Some specific answers as I see the situation.

Just another thought - I assume it has it's own water and electric. If so, you will not be able to move these into your name without a boletin and without a habitation licence.

Thanks for that. I haven't given the boletin a thought. Must make the place almost impossible to sell.
Shame it was ideal for our needs.