Finding a House


Normally there are two ways of acquiring a home: by purchasing or renting. In the case of purchase, the contract of sale is registered publicly.This means that the contract is signed before a notary public and it is then registered at the Land Registry. In the case of renting, a private document is usually drawn up between the two parties, in which the proprietor must register and place the deposit arising from the contract with the Bizilagun service.

Housing can be private, state subsidised or public. There is a public service for the rental and purchase of social housing (it can be accessed by registering with (Etxebide) as well as private estate agents

Accommodation may be free-regime, protected or public property. There are public information services (Etxebide and Eretza) and also real estate companies and private promoters.

Public assistance for accommodation

Public assistance is available for purchase and rent of accommodation. For entitlement to public assistance in the Basque Country, you must enrol with the Basque Accommodation Service-Etxebide where you will obtain information and the application form to be filled in. Applicants must provide the basic data of the members of the family who will be living at the new accommodation.

Apart from obtaining information, you also need to ask for and hand in the form in the Etxebide Partner Office Network.

Anyone can enrol in the Etxebide Register who:

  • Is over 18 years old, or is an emancipated minor.
  • Is registered as resident in Barakaldo or another town in the Basque Country.
  • Has not obtained protected accommodation over the two years preceding the application, except in the case of rented accommodation.
  • Provide evidence of minimum income and which must not exceed the maximum income. The minimum/maximum limits for assessed annual income are the following: from €3,000 to €21,100 for renting empty housing - Bizigune Programme. From €3,000 to €25,000 for renting social housing. From €3,000 to €39,000 for renting protected social housing under general conditions and other types of dwellings. From €9,000 to €39,000 for the purchase of protected housing under general conditions. From €9,000 to €25,000 for the purchase of protected housing under special conditions. From €12,000 to €50,000 for the purchase and renting of housing at a fixed price.

Beyond these general criteria, applicants have the option of municipal accommodation. Special assistance is also available for the disabled.

Data are checked by the Authorities.

In the case of foreign nationals it is essential to have valid authorisation of residence. If wishing to choose the option to purchase, the authorisation must be long term.

The Basque Accommodation Service-Etxebide provides a number of options:

  • Buying a new house (two procedures).
  • Buying a used house.
  • Purchase of housing at a fixed price.
  • Renting a protected dwelling.
  • Renting a social dwelling.
  • Renting of used accomodation - BIZIGUNE PROGRAMME

 

  • Has not obtained protected accommodation over the two years preceding the application, except in the case of rented accommodation.
  • Provide evidence of minimum income and which must not exceed the maximum income.

    • Data are checked by the Authorities.

    In the case of foreign nationals it is essential to have valid authorisation of residence. If wishing to choose the option to purchase, the authorisation must be long term.

    Municipal dwellings in Barakaldo

    The Town Council has a portfolio of rented social housing for fulfilling the need for decent housing. These dwellings are available to rent for those citizens who because of their social and/or economic situation have the most difficulties in acquiring a home in the free market.

    This is regulated by Municipal Ordinance which may be consulted on the webpage: www.barakaldo.org/portal/web/accion-social/insercion-social

    If you would like further information on this topic it is available at Local Social Services(SSB).

    Other kinds of assistance

    Barakaldo Town Hall provides specific assistance via Eretza. This is a company which depends on the Town Hall, and provides new protected dwellings and rehabilitation.

    Eretza channels applications by rehabilitating used dwellings, particularly facades, roofs and installation of lifts.

    Assistance is requested by the association of owners of the block of accommodation, and these may be non-return (no need to return the amount provided), or assistance with paying off credit. Since it is an agreement between all the owners, this must be set out on a certificate to be submitted by the president of the association of owners.