Source: Freepik Author: Redaction What are they? Tiny Houses are compact homes that represent a different concept that goes beyond the “house on wheels”: they are designed to be minimalist, sustainable homes with the necessary comfort. Many have a mezzanine, as a way of making the most of the existing space and, at the same time, having more rooms. More and more people are curious and adept at this style of living in small spaces, with a view to sustainability and a greener future. Those who buy a Tiny House usually want to contribute to a simpler, more environmentally friendly lifestyle. There are two types: houses on wheels and fixed houses. They are characterized by being clad in wood. There are various ranges in terms of features, size, weight and decoration. What does the legislation say? If its a Tiny House on wheels, not being fixed houses, they are exempt from paying IMI . In this case, the highway code applies to caravans. So be careful where you park. You will have to pay for insurance and licenses that also apply to caravans. If its a fixed Tiny House, licensing is mandatory for this type of construction and is governed by the Legal Regime for Urbanization and Building, approved by Decree-Law 555/99 of December 16. The installation of these houses is subject to licensing in accordance with the requirements of the town hall in the area where it will be located. They can be placed on rustic or urban land. It is also important to know what the Municipal Master Plan determines, as well as whether the land is part of the National Agricultural Network or the National Ecological Network. If the architectural project is approved, you must submit the project for specialities such as electrical distribution, sanitation and gas. Subsequently, the City Council will consult the legally competent entities to issue the appropriate opinion, authorization or approval, so that the building permit can then be issued. It is important to pay attention to taxes, particularly the payment of IMI. These houses can be a more efficient option, unlike a traditional house, and maintain the durability of the materials they are built with. They offer good thermal and acoustic insulation. Read more about: Spacious homes up to €300,000: six options at your fingertips
Source: Pexels Author: Redaction New forms of housing are emerging influenced by socio-economic changes on a global scale, which give rise to trends, new alternatives to traditional home and nomadic ways of life that require different bureaucracies for the issue of housing. Technology and the evolution of industrialization in construction is pushing many people to more economical housing solutions, such as prefabricated houses, modular houses or even motorhomes. Differences between tax domicile and tax address, what are they? The tax domicile includes procedural and procedural issues, which imply, for example, the collection of taxes to correct or submit declarations, or be called to execution, among other situations. Tax residence, on the other hand, is the information that receives whether or not a taxpayer has a strong enough connection to be taxed in national territory, which, roughly speaking, translates into the fact that the taxpayer has its own and permanent housing, where you stay overnight, receive your friends and family, make your meals, spend your free time - basically, live -, being a property of your own or rented. The tax domicile is determined in accordance with Article 19 of the General Tax Law based on the place of habitual residence . This can coincide, most often, with the taxpayer’s own and permanent housing. Can tax domicile apply to motorhomes or prefabricated houses? To be considered a habitual residence, the fiscal domicile must presuppose a degree of geographical permanence. Thus, someone who lives in a motorhome, which will be in constant travel, is not applicable to tax domicile, so it is impossible to determine their specific location for the allocation of procedures or processes. On the other hand, a motorhome affects on a permanent basis, if so registered, remaining settled or fixed in the same place for a period of more than one year, can be considered tax domicile , even if small changes are covered on the place where it is located. That is, a motorhome with this allocation can make small transfers to locations in the surrounding area. The same applies to prefabricated or modular houses, which can be considered permanent and fixed, although they are not literally fixed to the ground. For this purpose, they are considered buildings , without any doubt that they can be a fiscal domicile. What procedures should you have to establish fiscal domicile and prefabricated houses? To constitute fiscal domicile in this type of housing, they must be duly licensed by the City Council , in the same procedures in which the licensing processes required for the construction of conventional housing are constituted. According to the Legal Regime of Urbanization and Building, more specifically Article 2 on the concept of buildings, a house is legible at home tax if it is a housing intended for housing or permanent use , or, for example, by installing a restaurant, bar or shop open to the public, for which a licensing process is required , even if it is not mandatory that the dwelling has characteristics of permanence and immobility of the ground. Were you able to tell the difference? About Housing, other topics that may interest you: Cancel the mortgage: everything you need to know , Preventive maintenance: understand the importance of this concept or What is the Gross Private Area?
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Although most of the 26 measures of the licensing simplex will come into force on March 4, some have already been in effect since January 1 of this year, and prefabricated houses are covered by the law, and will now have to comply with the rules that already exist for buildings in general, as set out in the General Regulations for Urban Buildings (RGEU). Thus, prefabricated houses , technically known as modular constructions , are subject to licensing or prior control , depending on the circumstances of each specific case, as are allotment projects for new constructions , which now have to include areas for public housing, controlled costs or affordable rent . Modular housing is a popular trend in recent years , and can be much cheaper and quicker to build than traditional constructions, although it will have to comply with the same rules and regulations that already exist for general buildings. According to the measure, permanent constructions that are distinguished by using modular construction elements or systems , structural or non-structural, partially or totally produced in a factory, previously connected to each other or on site, regardless of their removable or transportable nature are now included in the simplex of licensing. Related: Architects denounce lapse in licensing simplex
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction In recent years there has been an increase in the popularity of wooden houses . This trend is progressively establishing itself as an alternative to traditional methods , especially at a time of housing crisis and rising prices for building materials. Whether for a main residence or a holiday home, more and more homeowners are opting to use wood in their constructions, something that lends a rustic, warm beauty to the property. What are the advantages? Despite being a relatively recent trend, wooden houses are becoming very popular , with the aesthetic aspect being one of the biggest reasons for this, since this type of construction blends in perfectly with the surrounding nature, conveying a sense of calm and peace in a rustic and natural environment that you cant find in other types of property. However, there are several other advantages to choosing to build a wooden house, namely: - Easy-to-work-with material; - Excellent insulation to maintain a stable temperature; - More ecological houses, which use renewable, recyclable and biodegradable materials; - More energy-efficient constructions; - Possibility of modular and prefabricated construction; - Faster construction. How to build wooden houses? If youre looking to build a wooden house, there are two options open to you. If you have the means to do so, the first option is to follow the traditional process of building a house , using an architect to create a project and then creating a budget and applying for licences so that you can proceed with the work. This approach allows you to personalise your home according to your preferences , without being restricted by any prefabricated model. On the other hand, if youre looking for a quicker alternative, you can always choose to hire a company that specialises in building wooden houses . There are several companies available on the market that will present you with various models, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs. A trend in 2024? Wooden houses, especially prefabricated ones, are gaining prominence in the property market as a more economical and sustainable option for those looking for a safe and dynamic investment . In addition to the advantages mentioned above, one of the great advantages of wooden houses is their novelty, which attracts tourists and onlookers. It can therefore become a great long-term business opportunity for investors who are currently in the market, and may even be one of the big trends of 2024. From bungalows to country houses, wooden constructions are versatile due to their adaptability, guaranteeing comfort and safety in the hottest or coldest weather conditions. And then, due to their ease of mobility, they are an interesting option for any type of tourism or accommodation activity. Are you curious about this property trend? Well show you other equally appealing options that you can get to know in order to get a head start on next year and make the best investments: 3D printed houses: the future of the property market , Modular houses: everything you need to know
Source: Freepik Author: Redação Its becoming increasingly difficult, even impossible, for young people to buy a house in Portugal, and this calls for a collective effort on the part of companies to initiate sustainable, fast-track housing projects at affordable prices . In this context, and according to Ecosteel, 20 million will be invested in the modelling construction industry so that around 3,000 3D houses can be put on the market each year. These will be more affordable homes, making it possible to access them. José Maria Ferreira, from Ecosteel, points to an estimate of 300 houses made by 2024. These will be modular homes, built in an old shipyard, and the first prototype is due to be completed this month. According to the entrepreneurs, a one-bedroom house will sell for around 100,000 euros, adding that this price is possible thanks to the acceleration of processes, the reduction of labour costs and the innovation of industrial house building. What are the characteristics of 3D houses? Its worth noting that these houses are made with a mixture of plastic and a concrete cover, in order to guarantee the s afety and stability of the construction. Once the walls are in place, which is done on the site where the house will be located, the finishing touches are applied, such as windows, doors and roofs with solar panels, to create an energy-efficient living space . It is known that the future owners of these houses can choose between several floor plans already designed, which correspond to a range of houses between 150 and 200 square metres, with three to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms. To promote more sustainable energy consumption, these houses are equipped with the latest solar panel technology. Advantages of 3D houses Less chance of errors: since much of the work is done by machines, there is less room for error; Reduced costs: it is known that the first 3D house built cost 20 per cent less than a traditional home. It is also estimated that this figure will drop to 25 per cent in 5 years, and 40 per cent in 10 to 15 years; Speed of construction: these houses tend to be built more quickly; Sustainable construction: 3D printers can use different materials that are more sustainable, such as sand, fibres and recycled materials. Disadvantages of 3D houses Only prints walls: at the moment, 3D printers are only capable of printing walls, meaning that the rest of the house will have to be made manually or to order; High initial investment: buying a 3D printer is still expensive, so companies still find it very difficult to enter this market; Labour: there are still few people qualified to operate, transport and assemble these machines; Technology: at the moment, this technology has not yet been widely exploited. What are the practical applications of 3D houses? These houses have already begun to be put up in various parts of the world, such as Morocco, where the Spanish company Be More 3D built a property in order to reduce CO2 emissions and guarantee affordable housing for the inhabitants of Ben Guerir by constructing a 32 square metre house in 12 hours. In Russia, a rounder-looking house was built, and the company responsible for the project, Apis Cor, one of the most innovative companies when it comes to 3D houses, says that the house is just over 38 square metres, built in one day and designed to withstand the areas inherent cold. The village of Massa Lombarda, 40 kilometres from Bologna in Italy, has received a house built using efficient and durable materials as part of an eco-responsible initiative. The project was led by 3D printer manufacturer WASP. The materials used in the construction of this house were mud and waste from rice cultivation, and the house took 10 days to build, which is still a much better timeframe than if it had been built using the traditional construction method. SUPERCASA Notícias brings you all the latest news on the property market
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Even if you are not aware of what is going on in the construction market, you have probably heard about modular homes. It is already possible to find online a lot of useful information on this subject, a trend that has existed for several years and is expanding worldwide. At a time when terms like savings, sustainability and efficiency are the order of the day, there is an increasing demand for this type of property. Before we explain everything about this type of housing, it is first important to know what the different types of modular houses are and the differences between them. We are talking about prefabricated houses and prefabricated modular houses - or just modular houses. Main differences between prefabricated houses and modular houses Prefabricated houses, as the name implies, are factory-built houses. This type of houses do not exceed a certain size, being possible to transport them to the land, as a block that is built, taken to the place of destination and there implemented. Afterwards, as far as the infrastructures of this type of houses are concerned, the only installation to be done is electricity, water, sanitation, sewage and communications. Unlike modular houses, prefabricated houses do not require such a lengthy construction process. Modular houses , on the other hand, although they are also pre-built in a factory, reach larger sizes, which requires several units that will come together almost like a puzzle. In this case, it is not possible to transport them all at once, and they go in modules that are then joined together to effectively become a house and, for that purpose, they also require another type of techniques and technologies to allow the blocks to be joined and insulated. Modular houses: an alternative to traditional construction Due to the construction method used, the completion of this type of housing requires less time and fewer interventions , resulting in a lower total construction cost when compared to traditional construction. In addition, they are also considered a more ecological and sustainable option , as they have a lower impact on the environment. And another reason why modular houses are considered an option has to do with their versatility , as they can have various formats and typologies, depending on the owners needs and choices. The options available in the market range from the most modern constructions to the most minimalist, and it is also possible to opt for more rustic models, more conventional or more modern, being able to conjugate a structure only of ground floor or ground floor and first floor. In short, the main advantages in opting for this type of dwelling are the speed of construction, the materials used which, as a rule, offer more quality and safety, and the lower costs associated with this type of building. Nevertheless, it is important to pay attention to the type of materials used. In Portugal, there are not many companies excepting this type of construction, and the few that exist do not always allow total freedom with regard to the creative process of the construction project. That is, despite the fact that, in theory, this type of houses provides the owner with a multiplicity of designs and finishes, in reality, the diversity of choices ends up having to be adapted to the construction company responsible for the project. Modular homes can be made from recycled materials, such as wood. But it is important to point out that these materials must be of high quality. Also because, as time goes by, the house will require maintenance and it is important to determine, from the outset, what the long-term wear and tear of these raw materials will be. In this sense, the support provided by the company responsible for the construction of the house is extremely important. After all, the choice of the materials used in the construction and the decision on how they will be implemented is the owners, and he needs to be guided on their quality and on the respective techniques applied. Above all, always demand a guarantee of the work done, preferably including follow-up and maintenance in the future, in order to get the most out of your investment. How is licensing done? It is important to mention that licensing is compulsory, whether it is for a prefabricated house, or a modular house. You can consult the legislation in force about this segment of construction in paragraph A) of Article 2 of the Legal Regime of Urbanization and Building, Decree-Law no. 555/99, of 16th December. Before going ahead with the licensing process, it is crucial to ascertain whether there are any obstacles to your building on the land purchased for this purpose. Therefore, be sure to consult the Municipal Master Plan of the municipality where the land is located. Also, make sure that it is not inserted in an area of the National Agricultural Network or the Municipal Ecological Network. Only after confirming that there is no legal impediment for the construction should you submit the architectural project to the municipality in charge. In case this is approved, you should proceed with the presentation of the specialty projects , which concern gas installations, electrical supply and distribution and sewage. Only by following these procedures will the municipality be able to consult the competent bodies and issue the appropriate opinion - approval or authorisation - which will allow you to obtain the building permit. Once you have this licence you can then start the construction of your modular house. When the construction of the modular house is concluded, you should request from the competent Municipality the issuance of the Habitation Licence and the Alvará de Licença de Utilização, which requires a previous inspection to be performed to the house before any final document is issued. What taxes do you pay? Similarly to the traditional houses, the modular houses are also subject to the payment of IMI (Municipal Property Tax). Depending on the specifics of the owners choices, opting for a modular house can effectively represent a less expensive investment when compared to building a house from scratch. The advantages previously enumerated present modular houses as a safe and sustainable option for the future , being a trend that is definitely here to stay and that has been the target of more and more investment by the prime segment of construction, a little bit all over the world. Read also Sustainable construction: Prefabricated and passive houses , Modular and prefabricated houses: advantages and disadvantages
Some studies show that having a minimalist mindset makes people less stressful and more productive. Decision making and mental fatigue are reduced since everything is simpler. And bringing that mindset into the home is one of the first steps to achieving freedom. Having a small home eventually forces people to be minimalist as well, since space is limited. You need to be intentional with everything you bring in, including decorative pieces and furniture. Better than characterizing a minimalist home is this dwelling on wheels, according to an article by Tru Form Tiny. This house is designed to have clean lines and simple geometric shapes. The straight horizontal lines make the space appear larger, while the vertical lines make it appear taller. Furniture and decorative pieces with strong lines are added to give a modern look. Light, whether natural or artificial, is a part of every minimalist home, and it is also a part of this one. The goal is to make the room appear larger and lighter. White or neutral colored walls reflect light, which in turn will make the space brighter. Having a neutral color scheme makes a room look warm and cozy, while a monochromatic design makes it look sophisticated and elegant. Simplicity is the central goal of minimalism. This means keeping only items, furniture, and pieces of decor that add value to your life and are functional. Clutter does not belong in a small home. For small spaces, it is best to invest in furniture that serves multiple purposes. Murphy beds are good additions to any small space, especially if you dont have a separate bedroom area. Another characteristic of minimalism is to have a clean and organized space. Having an ample storage solution is the best way to make the house free of any clutter.
Buying a traditional or prefabricated house: Legal differences In legal terms, the purchase of a prefabricated house or the construction of a dwelling does not differ. It is also necessary to present an architectural project at the City Hall in order for them to issue a building permit and, after the works are finished, to obtain a housing license. It is also necessary to register the property at the Land Registry and, because it is a dwelling, it can also be given as a mortgage in a bank guarantee for a home loan. In this sense, if you are looking to buy a house, whether traditional or prefabricated, it is possible to request proposals for home loans, to find a financing appropriate to the payment capabilities and with more competitive interest rates. Criteria for choosing a prefab house There are several possibilities of prefabricated houses in Portugal, however, choosing one of these houses is not only about its aesthetic appearance. Know some of the most relevant criteria. #1. Manufacturer The selection of the manufacturer is essential, either by its reputation or by the quality of the service. However, there are other characteristics to choose the most suitable manufacturer: The proximity, to avoid added costs with travel and transportation of the material; The offer provided and the respective customization possibility; The price of the prefabricated houses. #2. Architectural Project There are prefabricated houses for every style: from the most classic to the most modern, and from the most rustic to the most urban. The choice will depend on preferences and location. There may also be some urban landscape policy in the intended location that aims, for example, to maintain the similar look of the houses. #3. Interior of the dwelling One should compare several interior plans to select the ideal house. If you intend to start a family, you should opt for a larger house or one that can be extended without many associated costs in the future. If any family members have mobility problems, choose prefabricated houses without stairs or upper floors. #4. Maintenance and care Certain types of prefab houses in Portugal require more maintenance and care than others. For example, a wooden house requires a complete treatment appropriate to the climatic variations. Inform yourself about the specifics of the property you intend to buy with the supplier, to decide in a more informed and conscious way. Advantages and disadvantages of prefabricated houses As with choosing a traditional home, it is necessary to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of prefabricated homes. Advantages Rapidity in the construction Energy efficiency; Ecologically more responsible; Cheaper than a traditional dwelling; Guaranteed quality due to inspections; Flexibility in adding modules that correspond to new rooms. Disadvantages Transportation costs (hence it is important to choose a supplier closer to you); Higher initial investment than the purchase of materials for the works of a traditional house (usually the works are done in phases and relieve the budget); Less versatility in terms of styles and modules available; Greater difficulty in obtaining specialized financing for prefabricated houses. Costs of a prefab house in Portugal Since prefabricated houses are generally cheaper than traditionally built properties, what defines the final cost is the quality of the construction, i.e. the materials used and finishes. The price is established per square meter (m²), and differs depending on the typology of the house, and for houses of a medium/low quality, the reference values generally start at 600 euros m². Specific financing for prefabricated houses The banking entities are more and more willing to grant mortgages for prefabricated houses, since this alternative has gained more and more adepts in the Portuguese market. However, the solutions of this specific type of financing are not always presented in the banks digital channels. The choice between financing options should be made in a conscious and informed way, just like the choice of housing. Thus, one should compare the entire market and request proposals for loans to buy a house so that you can find the one that best fits your needs. Regardless of whether you opt for a specific financing for prefabricated houses or for a traditional home loan, you should always pay attention to your effort rate. Ideally, it should not exceed 33% so that you can pay your monthly installments without unbalancing your finances.
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