Legal due diligence for investors, family offices and real estate buyers who do not accept surprises.
An undisclosed pre-emption right, a hidden urban planning restriction, a misinterpreted registry burden or an unbalanced earnest money clause can turn a sound investment into an irreversible loss.
Our firm conducts real estate due diligence in Barcelona with the rigour of property and registry law, taking into account civil, registry and urban planning practice in Catalonia.
Our Due Diligence report covers the five critical areas that determine the legal and economic viability of a real estate transaction in Barcelona.
| Area of review | Scope of the due diligence |
| Title and registry burdens | Verification at the Land Registry of actual ownership, attachments, mortgages, resolutory conditions, pre-emption rights, rights of first refusal and registered purchase options. |
| Urban planning status | Analysis of the planning regime, permitted and prohibited uses, planning infringements, urban planning enforcement orders, legality protection proceedings and planning-related restrictions. |
| Earnest money agreement and mortgage loan | Drafting or review of the agreement. Protection of the deposit, exit clauses and suspensive conditions linked to the outcome of the Due Diligence. |
| Debts and expenses | Certification that payments to the homeowners’ association, property tax (IBI) and municipal levies are up to date. Analysis of pending special assessments and relevant community resolutions. |
| Public deed of sale | Review and, where appropriate, drafting of the notarial draft to ensure that what is signed exactly matches what was agreed. |
Methodology: how we handle each transaction.
Each Due Diligence follows a structured protocol divided into four phases.
Phase I — Preliminary review (24-48 hours)
We review the land registry extract (nota simple), location, descriptive and graphic Cadastral search, and other basic data. We identify visible risks and issue an initial opinion on the viability of the transaction at a fixed price, refundable if the full report is subsequently engaged.
Phase II — Registry and urban planning audit
We analyse in detail the documentation from the Land Registry, the Cadastre, the City Council and the homeowners’ association. We cross-check the information and prepare a complete map of burdens, restrictions and obligations.
Phase III — Contractual review
Drafting or review of the earnest money agreement and the mortgage loan.
Phase IV — Closing and deed
Review of the draft deed and verification of the subsequent registration at the Land Registry.
Request a preliminary review of your transaction
If you are considering a real estate investment in Barcelona, ascertain the legal position before making an offer. The preliminary review has a fixed cost and is refunded if the full audit is engaged.