As specialists, we talked a lot about the process of buying and selling properties in Mallorca, but it is possible that sometimes an owner wants to sell a rented property.
The first thing to consider in this situation is that it is a completely legal operation, although we must consider a number of limitations depending on the regulatory regime to which the lease was clamped, depending on the date of signature. This determines the obligation of the purchaser to respect the new lease, depending on the regime to which they are subject:
LAU de 1964 (signed before January 1, 1995). In this case, the lessee has the right to continue occupying the property until the death.
LAU 1994 (signed between January 1, 1995 and June 5, 2013) Case in which the lessee is entitled to be in the house until it comply with the 5 years of the contract.
LAU 1994, following the reform introduced by Law 4/2013 (since June 6, 2013). The lessee is entitled to continue in the house until it comply with the 3 years of the contract when the lease is registered in the Land Registry or for three months if the lease is not registered. Regarding this last point, should be noted that once a renter occupies a rented flat, if the contract is not recorded in the Land Registry, the owner is entitled to put the property on sale.
If the rental agreement is registered in the Land Registry, it will remain in effect even if the owner decides to sell the property. This is based on the Reform of the Urban Leases Act 2013, which came into effect as the measure to promote flexibility and development of rental housing market. In this case the tenant must not leave the building until the contract expires not although can be transfer the ownership of it to the new buyer.
In the case that a rental contract was not registered in the Land Registry, must check whether it is specified in the renunciation of preferential purchase. If this clause was signed, the owner can sell the property to the tenant communicating the eviction with 30 days in advance. If there is the case that the owner does not communicate the sale to the renter, this last can exercise the right to repurchase, purchase the property at the same price that is being sold to third, having 30 days to do it. One last case, if the contract is less than 3 years and is not being communicated the intent to sell before the end of the agreed period, this is automatically renewed up to three years, which prevents the sale to the owner until this deadline is exceeded not.
As a specialist in Real Estate Law in Mallorca, we offer comprehensive advice in the process of buying and selling property. The presence of a lawyer is essential to be responsible for providing obligatory advice to clients on legal, tax and legal liabilities acquired during the action of sale. We’ll attend you with no obligation.
