In this article, we explain which documents you need to sell a house on the Costa Blanca and which additional requirements may apply if the property has a mortgage, was inherited or belongs to a non-resident owner.
Documents required to sell a house
The documents required to sell a property may vary depending on the type of property, the owner’s circumstances and the existence of mortgages, inheritances, renovations or outstanding charges.
In the following sections, we explain what each document is used for, when it should be requested and which information should be checked before completing the sale.
Owner’s identification document
The seller must provide a valid official identification document. The identification details must match those appearing in the title deed and the Land Registry. If the owner’s name, marital status or any other relevant information has changed, additional documentation may be required.
When there are several owners, all of them must take part in the sale or be duly represented.
Property title deed
The public title deed proves how the seller acquired the property. It may be a purchase deed, inheritance deed, donation deed, property allocation or termination of joint ownership.
The deed should be compared with the information held by the Land Registry and the Cadastre. If there are significant discrepancies in the surface area, layout, ownership or associated elements, they should be reviewed before starting the sale process.
Land Registry excerpt
The Land Registry excerpt makes it possible to check the property’s current registration status. It contains a description of the property, the identity of its registered owners and any registered charges or limitations, such as mortgages, seizures or usufruct rights. It is provided for informational purposes, unlike a Land Registry certificate, which officially certifies the contents of the Registry.
It is advisable to request a recent Land Registry excerpt, as the property’s registration status may change.
Cadastral reference and Cadastre information
The cadastral reference officially identifies the property in the Spanish Cadastre. It can be found on the IBI property tax receipt, through the Cadastre Electronic Office or in other property documents.
The notary uses this information to verify that the property being transferred corresponds with the title deed and the cadastral information.
A discrepancy between the Cadastre and the Land Registry does not automatically prevent the property from being sold, but it may require a prior review or regularisation depending on its significance.
Latest IBI property tax receipt
The seller must have the latest paid receipt for the Spanish Property Tax, known as IBI. The notary will check the cadastral reference and whether there are any outstanding IBI debts from previous tax years that are not time-barred.
Energy performance certificate
The energy performance certificate is one of the documents required to sell a property, unless the property falls within one of the legally established exemptions.
The document provides information about the property’s energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions using a rating scale from A to G.
In the Valencian Community, the certificate for an existing property must be registered before the property is sold or rented.
Homeowners’ association certificate
When the property belongs to a homeowners’ association, the seller must declare whether all community fees have been paid or indicate any outstanding amounts.
To complete the title deed, a certificate confirming the status of any debts owed to the homeowners’ association must be provided. The buyer may expressly release the seller from the obligation to provide it, although accepting this exemption reduces the information available regarding possible outstanding payments.
The certificate is normally issued by the person acting as secretary of the homeowners’ association and approved by its president.
It should be requested close to the signing date so that it reflects the most up-to-date situation.
It is also advisable to inform the buyer about ordinary community fees, approved special assessments, planned works, possible legal proceedings and any community rules or restrictions that could affect the use of the property.
Mortgage documentation and other charges
Having a mortgage does not prevent a property from being sold. However, it will be necessary to determine how much of the loan remains outstanding and how it will be repaid.
It is important to distinguish between financial repayment and removal from the Land Registry. Even if the loan has been repaid, the mortgage may continue to appear in the Registry until the mortgage cancellation deed has been executed and registered.
Occupancy licence or equivalent document
Depending on the property’s characteristics, age, municipality and the type of transaction, an occupancy licence, responsible declaration or equivalent document may be required.
This document confirms that the property meets the administrative conditions required for residential use. It may also be relevant when changing the account holder or arranging certain utility services.
Plans, licences and renovation documentation
If the property has been extended or renovated, it may be necessary to verify that the works carried out correspond with the title deed, the Land Registry and the Cadastre.
This is particularly important when terraces have been enclosed, swimming pools have been built, the floor area has been extended or the layout has been significantly altered.
Discovering a discrepancy after a buyer has already been found can delay the financing process or the signing of the sale. It is therefore preferable to review these matters from the outset.
Utility bills and other recommended documents
Water, electricity, gas and internet bills are not normally part of the core notarial documentation, but they make it easier to change the account holder and can help prove that there are no outstanding payments.
Documents required when the property was inherited
To sell an inherited property, the heirs must have completed the inheritance allocation process and correctly established their ownership.
Depending on the circumstances, the following documents may be required:
- Death certificate.
- Certificate of last wills.
- Will or declaration of heirs.
- Deed of acceptance and distribution of the inheritance.
- Evidence that the relevant taxes have been filed or paid.
- Registration of the property in the names of the heirs.
If there are several heirs, all of them must consent to the sale or grant power of attorney to another person.
Before marketing the property, it is advisable to check that the inheritance has been formally completed and that the registered ownership allows the sale to proceed.
Documentation in cases of divorce or joint ownership
When a property belongs to former spouses, relatives or several joint owners, it is necessary to check who appears as the registered owner and which rights belong to each person.
The following documents may be required:
- Court judgment or divorce settlement agreement.
- Deed settling the matrimonial property regime.
- Deed terminating joint ownership.
- Court authorisation in certain circumstances.
- Powers of attorney.
- Consent from all registered owners.
The fact that a person uses the property or has paid the mortgage does not necessarily mean that they can sell it on their own. The transaction must comply with the registered ownership and any existing agreements or court decisions.
Checklist of documents required to sell a house
- DNI, NIE or passport of the owners.
- Title deed or proof of ownership.
- Up-to-date Land Registry excerpt.
- Cadastral reference.
- Latest paid IBI property tax receipt.
- Registered energy performance certificate.
- Homeowners’ association certificate.
- Information about mortgages and other charges.
- Occupancy licence or equivalent document, where applicable.
- Plans and renovation documentation.
- Utility bills.
- Furniture inventory, if furniture is included in the sale.
- Power of attorney, if a representative will sign.
- Inheritance, matrimonial or corporate documentation, where required.
- Additional tax documentation if the seller is a non-resident.
Which documents does a non-resident property owner need?
On the Costa Blanca, it is common for sellers to be tax residents outside Spain. In addition to the general documentation, they must have an NIE, a valid identification document and the information required to manage their tax obligations.
When the seller is a non-resident, the buyer must withhold and pay 3% of the agreed purchase price using Form 211, as an advance payment towards the seller’s corresponding tax liability.
The seller must subsequently declare the capital gain or loss arising from the transfer using the applicable procedure. If the amount withheld exceeds the final tax liability, the seller may request a refund of the excess using Form 210.
For these transactions, it may be necessary to prepare:
- The owner’s NIE.
- Passport or identification document.
- Tax residence certificate, where applicable.
- Power of attorney if the owner will not attend the signing.
- Bank account details.
- Invoices and supporting documents relating to the purchase and any improvements.
- Documentation relating to taxes paid when the property was purchased.
Selling a property in Cumbre del Sol and on the Costa Blanca
Preparing the documents required to sell a house correctly allows the property to be marketed more securely and makes it easier to respond quickly when a buyer is found.
In an area with a large number of international property owners, such as Cumbre del Sol and other locations on the Costa Blanca, it is also important to coordinate the Land Registry, notarial and tax documentation sufficiently in advance.
At Cumbre del Sol Pre-Owned, we can help you review the property’s initial situation, prepare it for the market and coordinate the selling process with the professionals involved in the transaction.
Contact our team if you would like to sell a property in Cumbre del Sol and need to know which steps to follow and which documents you should prepare.
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