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One of our partners we enjoy working with is Lex Iuris Solicitors. We recently asked Ignacio some questions about their take on the legal side when buying a house.

Second Home Andalusia works with several reliable companies to offer their clients a total package of services when buying a house in southern Spain. What can you do for these clients?
"There are a lot of things but in summary, we offer full legal advice and guide them through the whole process to purchase a property in the South of Spain. We obviously do due diligence on the property and once it is done, we explain the legal status of it as there are many different situations that the purchaser needs to be aware of. Especially in rustic land, there are a lot of different legal situations that could have a bearing on a buyer's decision to purchase a property or indeed on the price they are willing to pay. (for example, if they have AFO or not, what kind of license they have, etc…).  

Once the client is aware of the whole situation and accepts it, we will continue with the rest of the process guiding them through the private contract, obtaining of NIE numbers, bank account and to assist them or represent them at completion. Once we complete, our after-sale department will organize the change of the utility contracts and explain all the points (like taxes and permits) they need to know to own a property in Spain.If the mortgage is applied for through us, the client does not need to have the mortgage documents translated into Spanish; they can send us the Dutch/English documents."

Why is it wise to consult a lawyer when buying a house in Andalusia?    
"It is important as there are many different legal situations when you purchase a property here, especially in rustic land. To consult a lawyer will avoid having a bad experience when you purchase what initially looks like a great property but, without a lawyer's advice, could potentially end in a nightmare due paperwork and/or legal issues."

 What tip(s) would you like to give house hunters?
"To be completely open, it is very difficult to have the perfect house from the legal point of view as there will often be something to address. Also, try to consult the lawyer as soon as possible explaining your intentions as sometimes they can help you upfront with what to look for or what to arrange. For example, if the client want to find something in rustic land and need a mortgage, it is advisable to put in the reservation contract that it will be submitted to obtain a mortgage because this can sometimes be challenging. 

It is obvious that I will tell anyone who purchases a property in Spain that they should use a solicitor, why? Because when you do so, it is for your own peace of mind. You are going to make an investment of a large amount of money  and you do not know the Spanish law, the language, etc. so it is important that you are assisted through the process by a solicitor who acts on your behalf and knows the local situation and institutions well and has experience with these matters."

For more information, please visit the website of Lex Iuris Solicitors