Solicitor recommendation for purchase

[Martin Dungworth]

Hello All,

Can anyone recommend a good solicitor in Pollensa who charges a reasonable price for a handling an apartment purchase on our behalf please? We agreed to buy an apartment whilst on holiday last week and were surprised to be quoted 3K Euros plus vat purely for the solicitors fee and would assume that notary costs come on top of this? The agent tells me a normal figure is around 1K Euros but we cannot use their normal solicitor as they are already acting for the vendors. Also as we will be newbies to the Puerto Pollensa property owners community and have never owned here before, we would be very grateful for any other advice or tips of what are must do's and recommendations to avoid any pitfalls that we may be unaware of. Thanks, and we look forward to your replies and advice.

 

[Sparky]

Welcome to the forum Martin, there are a couple of solicitors listed on this link :- Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca (Majorca) - Property Services .

 

[eleanor]

As Sparky says do take a look at the solicitors on the link she has provided. We use Tony De la Cruiz as do many who purchase.

I think it is very wise not to use a solicitor via the agent as it is best to have independent representation. As for 3000 - sounds a lot to me but we did buy a number of years ago. Of course you do not have to use one based in Pollensa and perhaps a phone around might give you a good indication of cost. There are many hidden costs involved as well as taxes. We worked on about 10% on top of the purchase price and wasn't far out.

The one thing I would say which you may or may not be aware (and of course it may not be relevant to you) is that it is illegal to rent out an apartment unless the block holds a licence. This would mean the block would be a tourist block such as Habitat or Leo as examples. If you google or look at various sites you will see that Spain and especially Mallorca are making lfe very difficult especially for those with apartments. As I say this may not be relevant to your situation but if you have been told otherwise and you do need or intend to rent be very careful. This has come to light more so since June this year and inspectors have been literally knocking on doors checking things out. We know of three apartment owners in the past week alone put their property on the market. Not good for Pollensa generally and especially the property market and something you should be aware of.

I'm sure others will add information to help you too. Good luck!

 

[Sparky]

Martin, re Eleanor's comments about renting, if this is of interest to you there is a thread running about this here:- http://www.forum.puertopollensa.com...area/10439-property-owners-support-group.html

 

[eleanor]

Sorry Sparky I didn't mention this thread as I thought it was only available to those owners who advertise on this site.

 

[Sparky]

No Eleanor the link i have posted is for all to see on the "Living and Working in the Pollensa Area" section of the forum .

 

[eleanor]

Yes sorry I confused it with the pp advertisers section which isn't open to everyone.

 

[YLD43]

Hi Martin, I purchased my apartment in Pollensa October 2008, I was recommended to use the following person; Juan Mateu Boa ( Ripoll & Mateu) extremely efficient and Fantastic communication in English !! HIGHLY Recommended, email
Juanmateu@ripolladvocats.es ( tell him Ian (edinburgh) sent you. All the best