For those of us caught up in the present property troubles in Catral, a quick update.
Every one has heard about the infrastructure charges etc etc by now.
But there could be even more charges that lay ahead for a legal property.
Some builders have used substandard building materials on the properties. To get your property made legal, checks will be made and rectifying work will need to be carried out at the cost of the homeowner. This can be anything from under pinning of the property through to a rewire, due to the wrong sized wire being used when the electrics were installed.
Black money. A Spanish national past time has until recently been avoiding the tax man with black money when buying houses. Home owners are advised to be aware that they can be held liable for any underpayment in tax on their property. Not the builder. I believe you have up to four years to be held liable for this.
Committee's. All urbano's will require a committee and a president in charge of each one.
Selling your property. If you decide to sell up, as there seem to be a lot of people giving this consideration, you have to cover yourself and get out of being held liable for any costs the new home owner can incure in getting the house made legal. So even if you sell up, you can still be chased for the cost of legalisation. Its been advised that everyone considering doing this, consult a solicitor.
Something else to consider at the same time is another Spanish law Vicios Ocultos
There are several references to the law on here through a property news feed we use.
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So the question is, if you sell up at a vastly reduced price, as many are considering doing and cover yourself for the infrastructure costs, will you still be able to be held liable for the costs incurred on putting the property to a safe standard.
I'm not trying to put anyone off buying in the area either, because I do love it here. Any one looking to move here or buy an investment property, go for it
Illegal proprty in Catral update 
