Purchase, inheritance or gift: how to change the owner at the Cadastre (Catastro), for the annual property tax (IBI) and at the Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad), and which deadlines not to miss.
The change is not done in one single place: this is what has to be updated.
01
Land Registry
It proves who the owner is against third parties.
How the owner is changed
The deed of sale and purchase, inheritance or gift is registered.
02
Cadastre and IBI
An administrative register for tax purposes: who the IBI is billed to depends on the cadastral owner.
How the owner is changed
With a public deed, the notary and the registrar normally notify it; if not, a declaration of change is filed.
03
Utilities
Electricity, water, gas and internet, and the direct debit for the community fees.
How the owner is changed
The new owner has to request them from each company.
The owners' community needs to know who the new owner is so that it can send them special levies (derramas) and meeting notices.
Guide
How to change the owner of a property
When a home changes owner (sale and purchase, inheritance, gift or divorce), the change of ownership of the property means updating several registers that don’t always talk to each other. To change the owner at the Cadastre, for the IBI and at the Land Registry, the steps are different.
How to change the owner at the Cadastre
With a public deed, the notary and the registrar will normally notify the Cadastre; check after a few months on its online office (Sede Electrónica del Catastro). If not, or without a deed, a declaration of change of cadastral ownership (alteración de la titularidad catastral) is filed, as a general rule within two months of the transfer.
What if you only want to change the name on the property?
Adding or removing an owner (for example, your partner) is a transfer and is taxed according to how it is done: a sale, a gift, a contribution to the marital community property (sociedad de gananciales), a dissolution of co-ownership (extinción de condominio)… Check beforehand the taxes on property transfers, the property swap (permuta) and the guide to the Land Registry.
Changing the name on the IBI
IBI is paid by whoever owns the property on 1 January each year: even if you sell in February, that year’s bill will come to you. Once the Cadastre has been updated, the town hall will issue the following bills in the new owner’s name.
If the owner has died
Changing the name on the IBI after a death
When the owner dies, the change is tied to the inheritance. Four steps, in order.
1Accept and allocate the inheritance, normally before a notary, with the death certificate, the certificate of last wills (certificado de últimas voluntades) and the will or declaration of heirs (declaración de herederos).
2Pay inheritance tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones): six months from the death, extendable by another six if requested within the first five.
3Pay the municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía municipal), if applicable: six months, extendable to up to one year at the heirs' request.
4Register the inherited home at the Land Registry, which will notify the Cadastre of the change.
Deadlines running
Have you inherited a home?
Inheritance tax and plusvalía municipal have a deadline of six months from the death. A specialist lawyer helps you with the paperwork.
Purchase, inheritance, gift or divorce: tell us how the property has changed owner.
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Frequently asked questions
Questions about changing ownership
How do I change the owner at the Cadastre?
With a public deed, the notary and the registrar normally notify it. If not, file the declaration of change of ownership on the Cadastre's online office (Sede Electrónica del Catastro), in general within two months.
Who pays the IBI in the year the home is sold?
The town hall charges whoever was the owner on 1 January. Buyer and seller usually agree to split it according to the months each one owns the home.
How do I change the name on the IBI after a death?
By accepting the inheritance, paying the taxes and registering the home at the Land Registry. With that, the Cadastre and the town hall update the owner.
Is it compulsory to register an inherited home at the Land Registry?
It isn't compulsory, but it is highly advisable: without registration you won't be protected against third parties and you will have trouble selling or mortgaging it.
How much does it cost to change the ownership of a property?
On a sale and purchase, transfer tax (ITP), or VAT (IVA) and stamp duty (AJD); on an inheritance or gift, inheritance or gift tax. On top of that, the notary, the Land Registry and, where applicable, plusvalía municipal.
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