RCM Legal

Real Estate

Real estate: comprehensive legal cover for buying and selling property across the Costa Cálida, the Costa Blanca and Madrid — for residents, non-residents and expats — including due diligence, new build, leases and transaction tax.

OUR SERVICES

PURCHASE & SALE

Residential transactions

Offer, deposit contract, title review, deed and registration.

Non-resident purchases

NIE, non-resident bank account and tax representation.

Mortgage and financing

Review and negotiation of mortgage terms and surety.

Property tax planning

ITP, VAT, AJD and post-acquisition tax obligations.

LEASES & MANAGEMENT

Lease management

Day-to-day administration and follow-up of leased properties.

Residential leases

Drafting and review of urban lease agreements.

Eviction proceedings

Recovery of possession and unpaid rent.

COSTA CÁLIDA · MURCIA

Property lawyer on the Costa Cálida

The Costa Cálida — from Murcia city and the Mar Menor to Cartagena, La Manga, Los Alcázares and Mazarrón — draws thousands of non-resident buyers and expats every year. Buying property in Murcia as a non-resident calls for the same rigour as any Spanish acquisition: an NIE, a non-resident bank account, proof of the source of funds and a full title and planning check before you commit a single euro.

We act for international buyers across the whole province. We review the nota simple for charges and encumbrances, confirm the property is free of community debts and planning breaches, handle the deposit contract and the deed before the notary, and take care of Transfer Tax (ITP), the annual Non-Resident Income Tax (Modelo 210) and local IBI. Where the seller is a non-resident, we manage the mandatory 3% retention (Modelo 211) so it never becomes your liability.

COSTA BLANCA · ALICANTE

Property lawyer on the Costa Blanca (Alicante)

We also act as your property lawyer and conveyancing solicitor on the neighbouring Costa Blanca — Alicante, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar, Jávea and Dénia — one of the most active property markets in Spain for British, Irish, Dutch, German and Scandinavian buyers. The legal framework is national, so the same safeguards apply: independent due diligence, bank guarantees on off-plan purchases and clear tax planning before completion.

Working across both the Región de Murcia and the province of Alicante lets us advise expats buying a first or second home along the whole southern Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida corridor — with a single English- and Spanish-speaking point of contact from reservation to the handover of keys.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Spain as a non-resident?
Yes. In Spain the notary authenticates the deed but does not run a due diligence or defend the buyer's interests — that is the lawyer's job. An independent property lawyer checks the Land Registry for charges and planning issues, obtains your NIE and non-resident bank account, reviews the reservation and deposit contracts, manages the purchase taxes and the 3% non-resident retention, and represents you through completion before the notary. RCM Legal acts for the buyer — not the estate agent or the developer — and advises in English on the Costa Cálida and the Costa Blanca.
Is there an English-speaking property lawyer on the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida?
Yes. RCM Legal is an English-speaking law firm in Spain (Region of Murcia) acting for resident and non-resident buyers across the Costa Cálida (Murcia, Mar Menor, Cartagena, La Manga, Los Alcázares) and the Costa Blanca (Alicante, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar, Jávea and Dénia). You get one English- and Spanish-speaking point of contact from the first viewing to the handover of keys: conveyancing, land-registry due diligence, purchase taxes and bank guarantees on off-plan purchases.
What taxes does a non-resident pay when buying property in Spain?
Non-residents typically pay Transfer Tax (ITP) of 8–10% on resale properties, or VAT (10%) plus Stamp Duty (AJD) on new builds. Add notary fees, the Land Registry filing and legal advisory. The full acquisition cost usually sits between 10% and 14% above the purchase price, depending on the autonomous community. Once acquired, the property triggers annual Non-Resident Income Tax (Modelo 210) and local property tax (IBI), which must be filed regardless of whether the property is rented out.
What does a property due diligence cover and why does it matter?
A property due diligence verifies, before signing, that the property is free of encumbrances and undisclosed risks: registered title, mortgages or seizures, planning compliance, occupancy and building licences, community debts and pending taxes (IBI, plusvalía). It also reviews the contract and the seller's capacity to dispose of the property. A proper due diligence is what prevents the most common disputes after closing — and is far cheaper than the litigation it avoids.
Is it safe to buy off-plan in Spain?
Yes, provided the operation is structured correctly. Spanish law requires the developer to secure all amounts paid in advance through a bank guarantee or insurance policy that covers refund if the property is not delivered on time. The contract must specify delivery date, technical specifications, penalty clauses and a clear procedure for snagging. Independent legal review of the developer, the licences and the contract is essential — that is what turns a high-yield purchase into a safe one.

We are a firm of lawyers in Murcia advising businesses and individuals on real estate across the Region and beyond.

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