How bare ownership works

Bare ownership is the right to own a property without being able to use it or live in it until the usufruct expires. When you sell the bare ownership of your home, you transfer the title to the buyer (the bare owner), but you retain a lifetime usufruct -- meaning you continue living in your home for the rest of your life with all your rights intact.

This is a legal concept enshrined in the Spanish Civil Code, entirely lawful and secure.

Yes, absolutely. That is precisely the greatest advantage of this arrangement.

When you sell the bare ownership you retain a lifetime usufruct, which means you have the legal right to continue living in your property for the rest of your life. This right is recorded at the Land Registry and no one can force you to leave under any circumstances.

The amount depends on several factors: the market value of your property, your age (the older you are, the higher the percentage you receive), the location, and the condition of the property. As a guide, homeowners typically receive between 40% and 70% of their property's market value.

We offer a free, no-obligation valuation so you know exactly how much you could receive.

No. Nuda Propiedad Segura covers all costs associated with the transaction: appraisal, notary, Land Registry, administration, legal fees, and purchase taxes.

You receive the full agreed amount with no deductions whatsoever. There are no hidden fees, no management charges, and no fine print.

Completely safe. Every transaction is supervised by our team of lawyers specialising in bare ownership, who verify the legality of the entire process and protect your interests.

The transaction is formalised before a public notary and your lifetime usufruct is recorded at the Land Registry, granting it the highest level of legal protection. Furthermore, the Spanish Civil Code expressly regulates this arrangement.

Even if the investor subsequently sells the bare ownership to a third party, your usufruct remains fully intact.

Our team of specialised lawyers is responsible for: reviewing all the legal documentation relating to the property, verifying that there are no hidden encumbrances, drafting and reviewing the sale contract to protect your interests, accompanying you to the notarial signing, ensuring that the lifetime usufruct is correctly recorded at the Land Registry, and resolving any legal queries you may have before, during, and after the transaction. Their advice is included at no additional cost.

The entire process typically takes between 2 and 4 weeks from the initial contact to the notarial signing and the deposit of funds into your account. We always work at your pace and never pressure you into making a hasty decision.

If you need more time, you will have it.

As the usufructuary, you remain responsible for ordinary day-to-day expenses: community fees, utilities (water, electricity, gas), and property tax (IBI). The bare owner (investor) assumes extraordinary expenses such as special levies or structural building repairs.

This is clearly specified in the contract, which is reviewed by our lawyers.

Yes. As the usufructuary you have the right to rent out the property if you wish, unless otherwise agreed in the contract.

This can provide an additional source of income if, for example, you decide to move into a care home in the future. We recommend discussing this with our legal team to understand the specific terms.

They are very different products. A reverse mortgage is a bank loan that creates a growing debt with interest, which your heirs will eventually have to repay.

Selling bare ownership is a clean sale: you receive a lump-sum payment, you incur no debt, and there is no interest. In addition, with bare ownership you receive a significantly larger amount and your heirs inherit no financial burden.

The sale of bare ownership is subject to capital gains tax under personal income tax (IRPF), just like any other property sale. However, there are important tax benefits: homeowners over 65 who sell their primary residence may be exempt from paying tax on the gain.

Our lawyers specialising in property taxation will advise you on the tax treatment applicable to your specific case.

As the usufructuary, you may carry out ordinary repairs and maintenance as needed without seeking permission. For major works or structural renovations, it is advisable to notify the bare owner.

In any case, our legal team will help you resolve any questions that arise during the life of the usufruct.

When you sell the bare ownership, your heirs will no longer inherit that specific property. However, they do inherit the money you received from the sale and any other assets that form part of your estate.

Many families view this decision positively because it allows them to improve the quality of life of their parents or grandparents now, when they need it most.

You are completely free to make that decision. If you move, you can rent out the property and receive additional monthly income (subject to the terms of the contract).

You may also voluntarily relinquish the usufruct, which could entitle you to additional compensation from the bare owner. In any case, the decision is always yours and our lawyers will advise you on the options available.

No, under no circumstances. Your lifetime usufruct is a real property right recorded at the Land Registry.

Neither the bare owner, nor their heirs, nor any third party can force you to leave your home. This right protects you for life, even if the bare ownership changes hands.

Our lawyers ensure that this protection is firmly established in the contract.

The requirements are straightforward: you must own the property, the property must be free of encumbrances (or with manageable ones), and you must be over 65 years of age (although in some cases we also work with people over 60). You do not need your children's consent to sell, as it is your property and your decision.

Contact us and our lawyers will verify within minutes whether your property qualifies.