Buying a second-hand home is an important investment. Discover themost frequent hidden vices, how to detect them before buying and your legal rights to complain.
The 10 Most Common Hidden Vices in Second-Hand Apartments
1. Structural Dampness (50 searches/month)
How they are hidden:Recent paint, strategically placed furniture, air fresheners.
How to detect them:Look for circular stains, musty smell, peeling paint.
Repair cost:€3,000-€15,000 depending on severity.
2. Obsolete Electrical Installation
Aluminum wiring, panel without differential, non-existent ground connections. Legalization cost: €800-2,000.
3. Rusty Lead or Iron Pipes
Common in buildings before 1980. Risk of leaks and contamination. Complete replacement: €2,000-€5,000.
4. Termites and Xylophages
They attack hidden wooden beams. Professional treatment: €1,500-€4,000 + structural repair.
5. Concealed Structural Cracks
Plaster or wallpaper coverings hide cracks in load-bearing walls.
Specific Deadlines to Claim
Critical Deadline:you have only6 monthsfrom the delivery of the home to claim hidden defects from the private seller (Art. 1484 Civil Code).
Real Case: Savings of €25,000
“I was going to buy afloorof €150,000. PropTrust detected undeclared structural dampness. I negotiated a reduction of €25,000 or gave up. The €299 in the report was the best investment.”
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