Hi Callum,

I assume you mean a legal building registered in Catalunya?

The most sure fired way is to get a Lawyer on the case. I am amazed that we almost always have to use a solicitor to purchase property in the UK, but most of us choose to "save" money when buying here, and then hit problems.

You can also go to the local Ajuntament where a finca is situated and ask, but you also then need the polygon and parcela numbers of the finca, which most agents are reluctant to reveal.

If you have the parcela details you can also enquire at the Registro Catestral, but of course for these options, it's very unlikely that anyone speaks enough English, if any, to be able to understand your questions, so you really have to do your homework.

If a finca already has a "house" on it, and it's registered, this is still not a guarantee that you would obtain permission to reform it.

Hope this helps.

Jools

Hi Callum,
The only place where you are virtually guaranteed that a building is legal, is in a village, or registered urbanisation (housing estate to us)

I know of numerous fincas, which now have beautiful houses on them, but all built illegally. The authorities photographed and measured them some months ago, but haven't yet made a verdict on the outcome. Many of these owners now have them up for sale, so if you actually purchase one, then you also inherit the end result from the Ajuntament, whether it is a large fine to make it legal, or to pull it down, at your own expense.

Be careful Callum, get your Lawyer onto it.

Jools