Hello all

As I understand it, the local authorities have six years to take action against an illegal building.

(Note that you can ask a local Ajuntament if there is any action pending, and they will answer in writing)

Once that period has expired, an owner can then take steps to have it 'legalized' and declare that it is a vivienda (ie. a dwelling).

In order to clarify exactly what it is he is buying, the poster of the original message can:

- Ask to see the Catastro information for the finca, if a house is registered as a vivienda it should appear there (although it can take time for any changes to appear)
- Ask to see the IBI rates receipt for the property. In the case of a dwelling on rural land, there should be two items, one for the land ('rústica') and one for the house ('urbana'). Again, any changes can take a while to filter through, but a call or visit to BASE (IBI rates collection agency) is usually enough to clarify any doubts.
- Asks the local Ajuntament the status of the house on the land.

Reading the Spanish abogado's comments, it strikes me that it may just be that his/her English is a bit imprecise...

Hope this helps.

AgentX