30 FAQs

What is the weather like in the winter?
The quintessential British question. In general, the winters here are a lot milder than the UK and northern Europe, albeit a little cooler up in the mountains than down on the coast. Up until the Christmas and New Year period the weather tends to remain quite fair, and the coldest, and often wettest, period is from January to March when it can get quite chilly in the early mornings and evenings, but may feel a lot warmer during the day. Heating of some description is required in these winter months. More modern villas tend to have central, or underfloor, heating, whereas powerful woodburners are the first choice among the alternatives, and prove to be very cosy and heat efficient. The mountain peaks are snow covered for periods of time during the winter months and very attractive they are too. If you are particularly sensitive to the cold, it is best to avoid the purchase of an older property on an exposed, north facing ridge. For the majority of the locals, spring and autumn are the favoured seasons, with generally very little rain and the sun worshippers always adore the very long, hot dry summer with endless blue skies.

Is it easy to get a Spanish mortgage?
The situation relating to Spanish banks and mortgages is constantly evolving, but as a general rule, they tend to be more conservative than UK banks, for example. The ability to show evidence of recent earnings, whether in Spain or the UK, is an important requirement, and, depending on your bank of choice and personal circumstances, you would normally be looking at a mortgage offer of between 50-80% of the valuation price. Non-status mortgages are hard to come by, as they are not part of the Spanish ethos. Interest only mortgages are slowly becoming more common, and the real plus point of a Spanish mortgage is the currently low interest rate. A very significant factor that will decide if a mortgage can be offered will be the status of the property. A property should normally have had full title deeds for a period of two years or more, although mortgages can be agreed if just the land that the property is built on has had an escritura for two years or more, and the other paperwork is in order. If not, your application is likely to be refused, and you may have to look to the possibility of a remortgage back in the UK. There are a number of British brokers, but the quality of their service can vary significantly, and we would not advise you to use one that had not been personally recommended to you. We are happy to advise you on all mortgage matters and assist you in your applications to banks etc.

How can I be sure it is not an illegal build?
This is really a matter that should not prove to be a problem, but people’s fears have been stirred up by a plethora of recent newspaper and television articles relating to certain parts of the country. Before any purchase can proceed, the prospective buyer will, inevitably, consult a lawyer, or asesor, to check all the paperwork relating to the property thoroughly and to carry out the necessary searches. If anything is found to be amiss, this will be brought to your attention and you will be advised whether or not it is wise to proceed with the purchase. For your protection and peace of mind, a legal representative is an imperative part of the purchase process, and we can give you as much help in this direction as you require.

How is rubbish collected?
The quick answer is that there is no door to door collection. In the villages there are skips and re-cycling containers at a number of strategic points in different areas, which are emptied regularly. There are also larger collection points, or refuse houses, on the outskirts of the villages for the use of countryside dwellers, plus a refuse tip for any non-household rubbish.

What are the local schools like?
The majority of villages have infant and primary schools up to the age of 12. These run from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm, with a half hour break for a snack and playtime mid-morning. The larger villages have secondary schools that cater for pupils up to the age of 16/17 when they graduate and move on. After this age pupils will need to travel to the coast to continue their education, or stay in Malaga during the week in a residence at their school. The children from the smaller villages, eg. Sedella, Corumbela, Archez etc. are collected by bus and brought to the secondary school in Competa. The nearest bi-lingual, international schools are approx. 45 minutes away, either in Almunecar to the east, or Rincon de la Victoria to the west. However, the vast majority of children attend the local village schools where they are well provided for with extra language lessons, and in general, these children tend to pick up the language and mix better with the local Spanish children. As a footnote, class sizes tend to be quite a bit smaller than in the UK, and all three of our own children are now successfully integrated into three different Spanish schools, two in Competa and one in Malaga.

Will I need a 4x4 vehicle if I live in the countryside?
A large number of country properties are located alongside tracks, sometimes of just a few hundred metres, and normally never more than 4-5 kilometres. The tracks vary in condition, but the majority are perfectly accessible in an ordinary car. It is something you get used to very quickly. A 4x4 vehicle is very rarely a necessity, but obviously this is down to personal preference.

Can I get all the shopping I need in the village?
Everything you need for day to day living is available in Competa and the surrounding villages. You will be surprised what you can get from the little shops hidden away in the back streets, and although a lot of the expatriates enjoy a weekly trip down to the coast to load up at the big supermarkets and commercial centres, there is no real need to go if you don’t feel like it. Obviously the commercial centres offer much more in the way of international foods, a wider range of clothes stores, etc., and the fact that they are very clean and rarely crowded making shopping there a very pleasant experience.

Will I be able to get by if I don’t speak Spanish?
The short answer is yes. However, we do recommend that you try to learn as much Spanish as possible, as this will help you to integrate more with the local Spanish community and get the most out of your new life. English is spoken to varying degrees by the local Spaniards, and obviously more by those who are dependent on the newcomers for their livelihood. The northern Europeans who live in the village are also able to speak Spanish to varying degrees, some fluently, and others just a handful of words. You will always find people to help you with any language problems, if you ever get into a difficult situation. For those who find it daunting to deal with tradespeople in a different language, there is a full range of English speaking tradesmen to cater to your every need.

What is the cost of putting in a swimming pool?
The price of a swimming pool will vary according to the size and design that you require, however a general guideline is that it will cost somewhere between €15,000-€22,000. Plunge pools and prefabricated pools are a cheaper option.

How easy is it to get someone to look after my property while I am away?
You should never have any problem in finding someone to look after your property and, if necessary, your pool if you are away, or are renting out your property. Apart from those who advertise locally offering such services, there are a lot of retired people who like to do a little bit of work to top up their funds, and neighbours are usually quite willing to keep an eye on your property, water plants etc.

Where will I be able to find a decent lawyer?
As in all professions, there are good, and not so good, lawyers. Some are quick to respond to you and efficient, whereas there are others that you can’t get hold of for love nor money. One thing that we strongly recommend is that your lawyer is based reasonably locally to the property that you are purchasing. It is often not such a good idea to have a lawyer from, for example, Marbella or somewhere west of Malaga, as they are not as familiar with the local property market. There are one or two lawyers in the villages, but the majority are located down on the coast at Torre del Mar, Nerja or Torrox Costa. There are a number that we would personally recommend that we have found to be helpful and efficient. Language is no problem as they all have English speaking partners and most have German speakers too.

Is there much social life in the villages?
This will depend on the individual villages in question. For example, in Competa there is a great deal of social activity on all levels, and you may decide to involve yourself in as much, or as little, as suits you. If you like eating out there are five or six really good restaurants, and probably another dozen restaurants/café bars which offer good, wholesome food at reasonable prices. Other activities provided for in the village include amateur dramatics, salsa dancing, self defence classes, a gymnasium, disco bar, a full range of adult education and language exchange classes, plus other activities relating to the various festivities throughout the year. The main festivities centre around the Easter period, the ‘feria’, or local fair, at the end of July and the Wine Festival on 15th August. There are also Cultural Weeks and special musical performances arranged throughout the village. The villages of Canillas de Albaida, Archez and Sayalonga are smaller in size, but nevertheless have their own social activities, albeit on a smaller scale. Villages like Salares and Sedella tend to be quieter, although the growing popularity of these two villages has seen an increase in hostelries and social activities in the last couple of years. In contrast, the villages of Corumbela, Daimolos and even the larger Arenas, appear little changed and are still very much quiet, Spanish pueblos.

Will my reservation deposit ensure that we don’t lose the house?
When you have decided on the house you would like to purchase, it is common practice to put down a reservation deposit of between €3,000-€5,000 which normally guarantees that the vendor will take the property off the market for a period of not more than 2-3 weeks to allow time for the Private Purchase Contract to be drawn up after all of the necessary paperwork has been checked and searches carried out by your lawyer. If anything is amiss, and the sale cannot proceed, your reservation deposit is returned. If you pull out through changing your mind, or for any other reason which is not related to the legality of the property, your deposit will not be refunded. Upon the signing of the Private Purchase Contract, the 10% deposit is paid to the vendor and neither the vendor, nor the purchaser, can pull out without incurring charges amounting to 10% of the agreed sale price. The completion date is fixed in the Private Purchase Contract and is normally no more than 2-3 months later, unless specifically agreed to by both parties. Completion takes place in front of a Spanish Notary. Your lawyer will check that you understand all the papers that you are asked to sign; you will pay the vendor and will then be given the keys to your property.

Can we still view properties, even though our own house is not on the market yet?
You may well find estate agents that are reluctant to show people properties when they have not yet placed their own properties on the market. For one reason, this does not readily convince the agent that the prospective buyer is totally committed to the move. Secondly, although buyers always believe that their house is going to sell within a couple of days, this is rarely the case, and thirdly, a large number of the properties that they are likely to see will no longer be on the market when they are in a position to buy. Therefore, we would recommend that clients should put their property (if applicable) on the market before starting to view. However, in our particular case, we are willing to show prospective clients a range of properties in their chosen price band, to give them an idea as to the types of property available, and the sort of money they will have to spend, to enable them to make the decision to move.

I love being in the mountains, but will I get used to the drive up?
A number of people initially comment on the drive up to the villages from the coast, and wonder how easy it is to adapt to mountain driving. In our opinion, after the first few weeks making the journey, you will feel as though you have been driving here all your life. Compared with the hectic and overcrowded roads of northern Europe, driving here is much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Do you have many water shortages?
No. Most houses are supplied by mains water from one of the villages, and the water is perfectly safe to drink. A few properties in the countryside have water provided by a local co-operative, and even fewer have their own private well. If the water supply is ever cut off, the vast majority of houses have a water deposit as a back-up, and therefore never experience a period without water.

Do you feel safe out in the countryside?
Yes. There is very little crime in this area, which makes a very pleasant change, not only from many parts of the UK and northern Europe, but also from other areas on the western Costa del Sol. There are very few isolated properties, and nearly everyone has a neighbour not too far away in case of emergencies.

How easy is it to get a ‘phone and internet connection?
You will find that, in the villages, it is easy to get a telephone and internet connection with broadband. In the countryside it is unusual for a property to have a landline ‘phone. Some of the older properties in the countryside have radio ‘phones connected, although these have been largely superseded by digital TRAC ‘phones which can give you internet connection at 56 kb speed. Satellite internet connection is available, but can be expensive. The most economical way to get access to the internet, with a ‘phone, is through a wireless internet connection, and this is available in the Competa area. An increasingly popular way to make cheap telephone calls is to do so over the internet using eg. Skype. In the case of mobile ‘phones, the three main networks are Movistar, Vodafone and Orange (was Amena). Corresponding Spanish SIM cards can be used in a UK mobile ‘phone to reduce call charges whilst in Spain.

We would like to put an offer in on the house. How do we proceed from here?
Once you have decided that you would like to make an offer on a house, you will need to tell us how much you would like to offer. We will contact the owner of the property and put your offer to them. It is quite normal for a little negotiating to take place after this, until, hopefully, a price can be agreed. You will find that some people are unwilling to move at all on price, whereas others are more than ready. You will only find out by putting in your offer. If your offer is accepted, a reservation deposit will be requested from you, you will need to instruct a lawyer, and we will pass all the necessary paperwork and information on to him/her for the preparation of the Private Purchase Contract. He will also sort out your application for an NIE number which you will need to purchase the house. You will also be required to open a bank account which you will be able to do using your passport. Please refer to the above question re. reservation deposits for more information on the procedure.

Is the post delivered?
Post is delivered to your house if you live in the village. If you live in the countryside, you will be allocated a Post Office Box No. and will be able to pick up your post from the Post Office in the nearest village. Opening times vary, but in Competa the hours are 8.30-11.00 am, Monday to Saturday.

Are there doctors and dentists in Competa?
Even in the small villages, there is a doctors’ surgery which often seems to be one of the centres of village life, where everybody goes to have a chat and find out what is wrong with everybody else! In Competa there is a 24 hour emergency service. For people who are staying a short time, you should have no trouble receiving treatment with your E111. If you are planning to become a resident, the normal process is that you will become enrolled in the Spanish Social Security system and receive your own Social Security I.D. The Spanish health service is of a good standard. Children up to 14 are seen by a paediatrician, rather than by a GP. For more serious problems, your doctor will refer you to a specialist on the coast, often at the hospital at Torre del Mar. There are, of course, a full range of private clinics on the coast, if you wish to avail yourself of their services. Prescriptions are free for pensioners, and others pay a fixed rate of 40% of the cost of the medication in most cases, and only 10% in others. There are pharmacies in most of the villages. There is also a highly qualified dentist in Competa who speaks English, and many others on the coast.

How easy will my children find it to settle?
We do not believe that your children will have any trouble settling into life over here. As a general rule of thumb, the younger they come over and start going to school, the easier they are going to find it. It may also be of benefit to actually live in the village, rather than the countryside, as this makes it much easier for children to meet up with school friends after school and at weekends. Spanish children are used to meeting up outdoors to play and it is not so common to be invited regularly round to other people’s houses.

What is the cost of living like compared to the UK?
As a guideline, one could fairly accurately say that what you can buy for a pound in the UK, can be bought for one euro over here. In other words – about two thirds of the cost. Obviously this does not go completely across the board. There will be some items that are even cheaper here, and, on the other hand, a limited number of items that you would find more expensive.

How much should I allow for extra costs on top of the purchase price?
You should normally budget for approximately 10% on top of the purchase price, although in reality it will probably be closer to 8%. The main expense is the VAT on new builds, or the Transfer Tax on resales, both which come to 7%. The other costs include lawyers’ fees, Notary fees, Stamp Duty, Land Registry fees etc. We can explain these costs to you in more detail during viewings.

How much would it cost to put a kitchen into a new property?
Obviously a lot will depend on the type of kitchen that you would like, but a basic kitchen with all appliances will cost in the region of €3,000-€4,000. There are companies down on the coast that will design and fit your kitchen, but there are also two or three very good kitchen suppliers based locally which we would recommend.

Is it safe buying a property without an escritura (title deeds)?
There are properties in this area that do not, at present, have title deeds. This is normally because the property has been in the same family for many years, and it would not have been deemed necessary. This should not cause you problems if you wish to purchase the property. Your lawyer can carry out searches to verify ownership and, once this is established, the first registration can be made and the title deeds can be issued in your name on completion.

Do I have to attend when the title deeds are signed at the Notary?
If it is not possible for you to attend the Notary’s office on the day of the signing, it is possible to give your lawyer a Power of Attorney to do so in your place. Of course, you will need to make arrangements for your money to be available to him so that he can make the necessary payment to the vendor.

What are the best things about living here?