The cadastral value of a property in Spain is an objective administrative assessment of a real estate asset, determined based on the data available in the Real Estate Cadastre. To calculate and determine the rateable value of a property, factors such as the value of the land on which the property is located, the surface area it occupies, the value of the construction, and its age, among others, are taken into account.
What Is the Real Estate Cadastre?
The Real Estate Cadastre is an administrative register under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and Public Function, which describes rustic, urban, and specially designated real estate properties. It is regulated by the Real Estate Cadastre Law, and unlike the Property Registry, registration in it is mandatory and free.
The Real Estate Cadastre is an administrative register under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and Public Function, which describes rustic, urban, and specially designated real estate properties.
As we will see later, the method used to calculate the cadastral value of a house typically results in a value that is generally below the market price. Nevertheless, it is useful as a reference when considering the purchase of a property in Spain and is used for certain procedures, such as calculating the Property Tax (IBI).
How to Check the Cadastral Value of a Property
Knowing the rateable value of a property in Spain depends on whether it is owned by you or not.
The quickest way to determine the cadastral value of a property you own is by checking the most recent Property Tax receipt, as it is specified there.
If you do not have this receipt, the Catastre Office, responsible for maintaining the census of properties and their cadastral valuation, offers various methods for inquiry. The simplest and most direct way is through the Catastre's Electronic Headquarters, where you can access public information or identify yourself to access private property information.
Anyone can access cadastral information that does not contain protected data, such as the property's location, cadastral reference, surface area, use, or purpose.
Only the cadastral holder and authorized individuals or entities can access protected data, which includes:
● The name, surname, legal entity, identification code, and address of those registered in the Catastre as property holders.
● The cadastral value and cadastral values of the land and, if applicable, the construction, of each individualized property.
Thus, with a digital certificate of the X509 type, you can access protected cadastral data of properties that are registered under the certificate holder's name.
Without a certificate, but with the cadastral reference or by searching by address, you can access basic cadastral data, such as the surface area and age of a property.
How to Determine the Cadastral Value of a Property Without a Digital Certificate
If you do not have a Property Tax receipt at hand or a certificate as mentioned earlier, you can still find out the rateable value of a property you own.
For this purpose, there are so-called Cadastral Information Points, to which you will have to go in person. After completing a request, you can access protected information about properties you own. You can also obtain the electronic certificate for them for any other transaction. Locate your nearest point at this link.
Additionally, some municipalities or provincial governments have centers where you can carry out procedures related to the cadastre.
To access public data, you can also contact the Catastre Direct Line by phone.
How the Cadastral Value of a Property Is Calculated
The rateable value is a good reference when considering the purchase of a property in Spain.
Everything related to the cadastral value of a property is covered in the so-called Real Estate Cadastre Law. This legislation specifies how to calculate this cadastral value based on the value of the land and construction, although it also considers other factors such as land area, the number of facades, property age, its use, depreciation, or any encumbrances it may have.
The rateable value is a good reference when considering the purchase of a property in Spain. However, as mentioned earlier, this value is usually lower than the market price for various reasons, including the fact that the Cadastre is reviewed every ten years.
