The government in Andalusia is dropping a new law allow the simple regularisation of illegal dwellings. The government is mainly targeting urbanisations. This article will explain more about the possibilities.
Which properties?
In principle, you can build houses contrary to the urban development plan (Plan General de Ordenación Urbana) to be regularised. In particular, the legislator is targeting homes in urbanisations. These are groups of dwellings that share some common costs and facilities.
Read more about urbanisations in Spain.
However, there are some exceptions. For instance, only existing houses from six years old onwards are eligible. Homes in flood plains or protected areas are also excluded. Moreover, the law has no impact on ongoing procedures.
How does regularisation work?
The power of this law is speed. After all, municipalities no longer have to amend the urban development plan to legalise a construction. In practice, this takes years. This is why the law speaks of "assimilations" of semi-urbanised residential zones and non-urbanised residential zones in the local urban plan. This allows municipalities to move faster.
Read more about construction violations.
You can request an assimilation from your municipality. Based on the urban development plan, they can then check whether the property effectively qualifies. The cost of the procedure is for the owner, but varies from municipality to municipality. In addition, the owner must also take measures to ensure that the house has minimal impact on its surroundings.
Benefits of regularisation?
After assimilation, you can have the property fully registered in the Spanish land registry. In addition, access to public utilities is facilitated. You also no longer risk a building violation or demolition order.
The big advantage, of course, is an easier sale. Buyers will not be put off by the illegality of the construction.
