The nota simple: what it contains and why we request it

Before you buy a property in the Marina Alta you want to know exactly what you're buying. Not just how the kitchen looks or how the light falls in the living room, but also who owns it on paper and whether the property still carries any debts. That information sits in the nota simple.

What is a nota simple

The nota simple is an extract from the Registro de la Propiedad, the Spanish property register. It's not a full title deed, just a summary running to a few pages. You request it from the registry linked to the municipality where the property is located, for example Dénia, Jávea or Pego.

The document isn't a translation of the reality on the ground. It's a translation of what has been registered. That difference is exactly why you always check it before moving forward.

What it contains

• The owner or owners, with names and each person's share.
• The description of the plot or apartment: surface area, boundaries, cadastral reference.
• Charges and restrictions, such as a mortgage, an easement or a lien.
• Any agreements that limit a free sale, such as a right of first refusal for a family member.
• The most recent entries, so you can see when ownership last changed.

Each of these points can affect your purchase. A mortgage still on the property has to be paid off at the time of sale. An easement can mean the neighbour has the right to cross your path. A lien can even block the sale until it's resolved.

Why you always request it

A property can look fine from the outside and still carry a burden you can't see. The nota simple brings that burden into view before you make a deposit or sign anything.

We request the nota simple as soon as a property becomes interesting for a client, usually before the first offer. That way we know who actually has the right to decide on the sale, and whether anything needs resolving first. It saves surprises later in the process, when a notary or bank would otherwise uncover it.

The nota simple doesn't say everything, but it says enough to know whether to move forward.

What the nota simple doesn't say

The document says nothing about the structural condition of the property. A crack in a wall, an old roof or an outdated electrical installation won't appear in it. That's why, once there's an offer on the table, we carry out a building survey with our own surveyor. It gives a general sense of repair costs, so you have a realistic picture before going further. The full design and detailed budget follow only after the purchase, together with TREE Constructions and Sani-Kitchen Projects if renovation work is planned.

The nota simple also says nothing about permits. An extension that was never legally registered can exist on the plot without the registry knowing about it. That's a separate check, one we carry out through the town hall and sometimes through our architect.

How we handle it at TREE

We work across the Marina Alta, from Dénia to Calpe and from the coast to the inland area around Jalón and Orba. The Registro de la Propiedad works slightly differently in each of these municipalities, and how long a nota simple takes varies by office. That's why we request the document early, so you're not still waiting at the end of the process for information you really wanted from the first conversation.

Once we have the nota simple in hand, we go through it with you together. Not with legal jargon, but with an explanation of what each part means for your situation. For matters beyond our role, we point you to a notary or gestor who can assess the legal and tax side. We make sure you arrive there with the right questions.