Inspections on properties older than 50 years in Spain |

It is widely known in all EU countries (including Spain) that owners of constructions and buildings, must keep their Properties, Plots, buildings and constructions in perfect health, security and maintenance estate making the necessary Works to keep them in perfect conditions, and to be used with no problems to destiny of the building: residence, comercial, industrial, etc.

In constructions and buildings recently completed is more or less easy to keep them in good conditions, due to its recent construction.

But, this scenario changes when the building, House, garage, etc, is old. Visual inspections from the same owners, or technicians may help to detect superficial problems on buildings.

But, how to know if the internal and structural situation from these buildings is good when they are quite old?, and How can owners know that their buildings are in the required health, security and maintenance as required by the law?.

The answer to these questions is programmed in each of the internal laws from all the EU countries. In relation to Spain, this aspect in considered in both, national and regional laws, in harmony with the EC and the rest of the European countries.

Spanish law indicates that, out of the normal obligation from owners to keep their properties on good estate, those buildings and constructions (houses, apartments, buildings, garages, etc.) with more than 50 years must be taken in special consideration and control. For this, it is requested to make a TECHNICAL INSPECTION to verify if the situation of the building fulfils the current quality, health and security standards.

So, for all the buildings and constructions situated in the Spanish territory, aged more than 50 years from date of construction, they must proceed with obligatory inspections made by qualified and officially registered surveyors.

And, if as result of these inspections, the survey indicates that the building must be reformed, or modified, in order to fulfill the standards, then, owners, at their own cost, must make the necessary works or reforms on the building.

Once the inspection is approved, or made the works and reforms requested, the building need to pass periodical inspections EVERY FIVE YEARS.

Obviously, owners with no budget to pay the costs of the rehabilitation works, may be in a difficult situation.

Consequence of not making the necessary inspections, or, once made them, not following the reform as per result of the survey, may result in fines and penalties with the administration, and others as annulations of the certificate of habitation, etc.

Spanish laws do not force to make this control to all properties in Spain, only those who are in areas and cities with more than 25.000 EUR habitants.

Just see below a list of the most representative ones:

ALICANTE	VALENCIA	CASTELLON	MURCIA
Alicante Elche Torrevieja Orihuela Benidorm Alcoy Elda San Vicente Del Raspeig Dénia Villena Petrer Santa Pola Villajoyosa Jávea Calp Crevillent Novelda El Campello	ValenciaTorrent Gandia Paterna Sagunto Alzira Mislata Burjassot Ontinyent Manises Aldaia Xirivella Alaqúas Xátiva Sueca Oliva Algemesí Catarroja Quart de Poblet	Castellón de la PlanaVila Real Borriana La Vall d’Uixó Vinarós Benicarló Almazora Onda	Murcia Cartagena Lorca Molina del Segura Alcantarilla Mazarrón Cieza Águilas Yecla Torre Pacheco San Javier Totana Caravaca de la Cruz
MÁLAGA	ALMERÍA	GRANADA	TARRAGONA
Málaga Marbella Mijas Fuengirola Velez Málaga Torremolinos Estepona Benáldamena Antequera Rincón de la Victoria Ronda Alhaurín de la Torre	AlmeríaRoquetas de Mar El Ejido Níjar	GranadaMotril Almuñecar	Tarragona Reus El Vendrell Tortosa Cambrils Salou Valls

When buying properties with more than 50 years built, it is compulsory to check if the building has passed the necessary inspections, in order to avoid unforeseen situations in the future.

So, as conclusion:

Buildings (houses, apartments, commercial, industrial, etc.) with more than 50 years must be inspected by official surveyors, in Spanish areas listed as more than 25.000 habitants