As I have been browsing through the various Decree 218 forums and webpages, I notice that the majority refer to the DIA form. In Spanish the full name for it is “Documento Informativo Abreviado” (‘Abbreviated Informative Document’) and then some, depending on what type of homes you are selling. The document should stick EXACTLY to the number of pages specified in the Decree 218, under the relevant annex or appendix. For example, under Annex 2 the DIA form on page 5 must detail the building specifications (“Memoria de Calidades”). If you need to use more than one page for this then use a different sheet of paper, attach it to the DIA form and make reference to it under the relevant section on page 5. Why is this so important? One Inspector from the “Junta de Andalucía” explained it to me this way: If I go to an Estate Agent (Real Estate Firm or Realtor) and ask to see the DIA form for a particular NEWLY BUILT property, if all the information is on the same number of pages and in the same place on each of those pages, then it makes it much easier for me as the client to be able to make comparisons if I go to another Agent and ask to see their DIA form for a similar property. That way I don’t have to hunt through reams of paper to find the exact details I need, especially if I have a DIA form with me to compare it with another.
So which form should be used when selling a home? It all depends on the type of home being sold and it is quite simple really.
- Off-Plan Homes or Homes Under Construction. The document you should use is detailed in Annex 2 of the Decree 218 and the full title is “Documento Informativo Abreviado En La Venta De Viviendas En Proyecto O En Construcción”. It should be 8 pages long.
- New Homes being sold for the first time (direct from the developer). The document you should use is detailed in Annex 3 of the Decree 218 and the full title is “Documento Informativo Abreviado En La Venta De Viviendas Construidas En Su Primera Transmisión”. It should be 9 pages long.
- Rental Homes. The document you should use is detailed in Annex 6 of the Decree 218 and the full title is “Documento Informativo Abreviado Para El Arrendamiento De Viviendas”. It should be 5 pages long.
The last document, that we mainly use as a company, is NOT a DIA form. It is in fact a FI form or “Ficha Informativa” (‘Fact Sheet’ in English). When should this form be used?
- Resales or Second-Hand Homes. The document you should use is detailed in Annex 5 of the Decree 218 and the full title is “Ficha Informativa En Segundas O Ulteriores Transmisiones De Viviendas”. It should be 3 pages long.
This last document is the ONLY one that should be used for in selling second-hand homes (homes that have had a previous owner) and therefore the DIA forms should NOT be used for this type of property. Seeing as we only sell this type of property and are inland specialists in country property, we will soon provide a more detailled explanation as to how to fill out a “Ficha Informativa” along with an translation of the aforementioned document.
I hope that the differences between the neccessary documents has been made clear. If not, please feel free to post your questions here on the Blog and we’ll try to answer them for you. As always, remember that all of these forms must be filled out in Spanish by law. Other languages are OPTIONAL. Here’s wishing you a successful business week.
