Transforming premises into housing has been an upward trend lately due to the lack of housing stock in some areas and the little offer of more affordable homes.
Commercial premises at street level, offices and even small warehouses are thus changing their use to become homes, in some cases even luxurious. However, to change the use of a property, it is essential to follow a series of steps.
Steps to turn a commercial space into a home
1. Viability analysis
There are two mandatory elements the property must achieve. On the one hand, the municipal ordinances must allow this change. On the other, the area in which the premises are has not reached the maximum housing density also established by local regulations.
To this, we must add that, if the premises are in a building, it is necessary to have the permission of the community of proprietors. Previously, we should check the estate statutes to see if it is allowed or prohibited. Usually, it is not specified, so it would be necessary to negotiate with the property owners of the building.
2. Inspection of the property
It is possible to transform commercial space into a home as long as it meets a series of requirements, especially adapting to the Technical Building Code and what is considered a habitable surface. In this last question, aspects such as the dimensions of the premises, accessibility, ventilation or lighting, among others, come into play.
The councils can make other demands, such as that the facade is of a certain length, that the openings for natural lighting have a minimum surface area or that no habitable room is below the pavement.
Ideally, a qualified technician should execute a visual inspection to determine the real possibilities of turning the premises into a home. It would be convenient to request an Urban Compatibility Report from the City Council.
3. The technical project and obtaining a license
It comes the moment to carry out the technical project, which must get done by a competent professional, and it must have the council's endorsement. Besides, we'll have to pay the corresponding municipal taxes and the Tax on Constructions, Installations and Works (ICIO).
As far as the license is concerned, it depends on each City Council: Sometimes, they require a more detailed application; meanwhile, others admit the submission of a responsible declaration.
4. Execution of the work
The next step would be reforming the premises and making them habitable. These works must respect the technical project presented to the City Council, and a technician must run it. In general, it is the person responsible for drafting the document.
5. Legalization, the last step to turn commercial space into a home
After the reform, we would have to request the first occupation license, presenting the certificate of completion of work at the Town Hall. Once obtained, we can contract the basic supplies: electricity, water and gas. It is also necessary to carry out new deeds and regularize the new home in the Cadastre and the Registry.
Changing a premises into a home requires time and paperwork, but it is possible. If you are looking into making this kind of investment, at Spainhouses.net, you will find a wide range of premises for sale in Spain.