Information please...

[Dumpling]

Hello I'm a newbie so hello to you all. I wonder if I could ask if anyone can give me a link to getting information for getting information from the government or Council in Lanzarote? I am hoping to set up a business there and am desperate to find out the rules and regs etc. thanks so much. x

[Sin.B.S.]

If you have got any sense at all, buy the book "You & the law in Spain" by David Searle. Published by Santana Books. It's in about its 18th edition and it is worth its weight in GOLD. With it, I managed the whole process of buying my house here, agents wanted 2,000 euros plus for the same job. DO NOT rely upon bar chat, however well meaning. Do yourself a big favour.Cheers.

[mikecj]

The cabildo and some of the ayuntamientos have websites but you won't get specific information about starting and running a business through them. I would suggest you talk to a local lawyer, ideally face to face and explain what your business is going to be, where it's going to trade etc. etc. He or she will be able to advise you on how to obtain the relevant licences and the likely costs of doing so.

You and the law in Spain is an excellent book, I agree.

I've not heard of agents charging the buyer of a house before, that's a new one to me!

[oleoleole]

Mike,

I think we might know what the B.S. stands for.

Ole

[Sin.B.S.]

Yes, Sin B.S. means just that. The 2k charge was 1% of the valor catastral and was to cover the running around and paperwork costs. In defence of the agent, they were unaware that I had lived on the island for many years and knew that was expensive.

[Stewlanz]

"The 2k charge was 1% of the valor catastral and was to cover the running around and paperwork costs."


......what??!!!!

I would love to be paid for all the running around I do...I'd have someone driving my Ferrari behind me!

[mikecj]

Sin BS, this is not normal. I don't know of any agent that charges a buyer a fee for "all the running around."

[DrRobert]

Maybe Sin was buying his house privately, and was quoted the 2,000 for the paperwork, notary, Plus Valia, official translator etc?

So, here's a question for Mike, Stew and any other estate agent; what sort of price would you charge a buyer for that service, assuming that you weren't getting the standard 5% commission from the seller? Or would you just re-direct the buyer to a solicitor?

[mikecj]

It's not a service we offer Robert. We'd suggest a person buying a property privately uses a lawyer. Although we're happy to offer help and advice and talk people through the necessary steps.

[Stewlanz]

Likewise from me - I ALWAYS advise the services of a lawyer.
Not strictly necessary when you are selling and i have just helped out a friend who sold his house privately as he had to arrange a Power of Attorney and deposit contracts etc.
Plus...Dr Rob, "5% standard commission"?.......I wish!!!!

Cheers,

Stewart

[DrRobert]

I've only ever sold one property on Lanzo, Stew. That was three years ago and the commission was 5%. I had it with about six agents and they all charged the same. Have things changed? The agents did all seem to have a bit of an (unofficial, of course) cartel going on.

(I had a daliance with an agent who had seen a property I had for sale privately, who put about 8% on top of the selling price, so I could get my "private" asking price. It didn't go and I took the property off the market.)