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La Nota Simple: an essential document for purchasing real estate in Spain?
Being an expatriate or not and taking steps as delicate as buying a property is not easy. This is the case that many French and Belgians (for example) live who plan to acquire personal property in Spain. Fortunately, if you are one of them, Nota Simple (or Nota Informativa Simple) can be of great help.
What is the Nota simple and what is it for?
It is a very important document which, far from being legal, is rather informative in the eyes of Spanish law. Therefore, it contains all the information relating to a property to acquire or sell. It is very important since it is the only way for a potential buyer to access this information.
In short, any real estate purchase agreement in Spain is based on the Nota Informativa Simple. But beware, the validity of this document is three months from the date of its establishment.
What information does this document reveal?
There is no standard wording but a Nota Informativa Simple must show certain mandatory information concerning the property for sale.
One of the most important sections concerns the owner. Who is he (or who are they, if it is a common good)? What are his contact details? How did he acquire this property (for example, an inheritance or an assignment)? Does it make a commercial or private use of it?
But the most important question (section) is whether this property is registered in the "Registro de la Propiedad" or (Land) property register. The extract from this register provides information on the characteristics of the property: what are its exact surface area in m² and its boundaries? What is its location (including its exact address)? What is their unique registration number and unique registry identifier? What is its nature (is it land, an apartment, a garage, a house, etc.)? Which notary has drawn up his deed of sale, etc. ? But here too, be careful: some of the information contained in this informative document may be incorrect or incomplete in the event that interventions have been undertaken after the establishment of the said document.
Another equally important section concerns property taxes and other charges. In fact, debts (for example) relate more to properties than to owners in Spain. As a result, it may happen that a property is encumbered with certain charges (real or in the form of a mortgage, among others), which can be recorded. These charges constitute - if necessary - a means of verifying the (economic) responsibility of the encumbered building and the obligations of its original owner as well as the new owner.
Who may need this informative document?
Both the owner and the buyer of property in Spain may need the Nota Informativa Simple.
The acquisition of this document by the owner of a property is proof of ownership of the property. Whether he is dealing with an individual, an administrative service such as the real estate cadastre for example, or even a public body such as tax services, this document must say a little more about a property for sale.
As for the buyer, he takes advantage of it through the reliable information he has on the owner and his property (including any taxes and other charges related to it). From a completely different point of view, he will have to provide this document to a credit institution when applying for a mortgage or personal loan.
Where and how to get the Nota Informativa Simple?
To obtain this document, simply request it from the Property Registry. As a potential buyer, you only need to inform the aforementioned service of your intention to purchase the property you have chosen. This procedure, you can do it yourself either by presenting yourself to this service, or by doing it online. The second option is to entrust the task to a real estate professional or an accountant - among others.
In either case, you will usually be asked - before obtaining the document - for the old property registry number.
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