Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Several cases of property scams have been reported in recent months. Unmissable offers, adverts that are too good to be true and the lack of knowledge of people looking for a home have led thousands of people to be duped by fraudsters, who devise fraudulent schemes and deceive the most unwary. The most common scams have been bogus rental offers , especially short-term ones. So, as we approach a holiday period in which many Portuguese travel around the country and look for affordable housing where they can spend a few relaxing days, SUPERCASA Notícias brings you a set of tips that can help you recognise potentially misleading advertisements and prevent your holiday from turning into a headache. Opt for the most recognised real estate portals Dont browse a marketplace where there is no guarantee that fraudulent adverts will be avoided. It can be common to try to find houses to rent on social networks or sales platforms, where youll find adverts of all kinds and shapes. Generally, these sites have little control and do not guarantee regular monitoring of possible fraudulent adverts, so the recommendation is to look for houses on property portals that have a reputation in the market and that you can trust. An excellent option is CASA SAPO , a national property portal that has been around for over 20 years and offers not only houses to buy, but also short-term rentals. On this portal, youll find professional adverts, with greater rigour and security, and you wont be fooled so easily. SUPERCASA also offers this security. Be wary of adverts that are too good to be true We know it can be difficult, because there are adverts that are, in fact, great investments. However, were talking specifically about adverts that, at first glance, might raise a little suspicion. Were talking about very appealing properties with prices below market value , for example, which is often the bait used by fraudsters to attract the attention of potential investors . And then, be suspicious if, when you try to book a viewing, you are asked for some kind of down payment or fee to ensure this procedure , and never accept these terms, not least because it is an illegal practice and that is the first red flag. If you feel pressurised by the advertiser, you should probably be suspicious If you have expressed an interest in a fraudulent advert, the most common thing is that the person behind the advert will try to pressure you with requests for information, demand a small entrance fee to visit the property, or be redundant in scheduling a visit to the property. These are all situations to be wary of. If you feel pressurised, its most likely a case of fraud and you should be suspicious . Check the information you are given and demand documentation associated with the property To try to detect any fraudulent situation, and if you are genuinely interested in the property, you can always ask for the information and documentation associated with the property . If its a genuine advert, the advertiser will have no problem providing you with this information and documentation, as their interest is in selling or trading the property and facilitating the process. On the other hand, if its a fraudulent situation, the advertiser will most likely be reluctant to co-operate and wont provide you with the documents - or if they do, they may be false and youll need to check them carefully - and may even demand a fee to give you access to the information. It is important that at no point do you transfer money to the person without first confirming their identity and legitimacy . You can do this on the Online Land Registry platform , where you get the propertys permanent certificate, confirming your ownership. And then, if you make any payments, make sure you do so via traceable means, such as bank transfers. Protect yourself from fraud! SUPERCASA is a property portal committed to detecting and reporting fraudulent adverts , but it cannot be held responsible for the decisions made by buyers. Keep an eye on the tips weve given you today and make your search for homes to buy or rent safe and secure.
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction If you have a home loan it is important to be aware of how mortgages work and everything that involves this guarantee to the bank, which can be canceled in three different situations . Through the mortgage, it ensures the payment of the housing credit that it has with your bank or financial institution, even if it defaults, since the mortgaged asset serves as a guarantee to pay the debt . But we explain everything to you in greater detail. What is a mortgage? When you buy a home using mortgage credit, you can take out a mortgage to ensure that the money the bank has lent you will be paid. In other words, it is a guarantee . Your financial capacity is assessed at this time in order to understand whether or not you will be able to repay the loan you want to borrow. Thus, the mortgage serves to minimize the risk of default, which is usually the property to acquire. However, it can be mortgaged, too, the property of a third person, and there are banks that accept the mortgage of the borrower’s family home. In short, the mortgage is the guarantor of financing for the purchase of a property, which allows buyers to pay the value of the property over a period of several years. In what situations can the mortgage be cancelled? The scenarios that may involve the cancellation of the mortgage are the sale of a property registered with a mortgage, the payment of the mortgage debt or a situation of foreclosure. Discover each of these situations. When you sell a house with a mortgage When buying a house with the financing of the bank, through a housing loan, you can see, in the future, with the sale of the same property. In this situation, where you sell the property that the bank is paying for, you can effectively cancel the mortgage. In this situation, it can only do so if the money acquired with the sale of the property is sufficient to pay the loan contracted , and must request, for this purpose, the cancellation of the mortgage and proceed to the registration of the sale of the house to the new buyer. When you pay the mortgage debt When you manage to settle the mortgage debt, you can ask for the cancellation of the mortgage, because if you have paid your debt, you no longer need to provide any guarantee. After eliminating the mortgage, you must cancel your registration in a Land Registry and, after having your mortgage loan fully paid, the bank sends you a document confirming the cancellation of this guarantee. In this situation, your contract obligations are fully fulfilled. The document that the bank will send you is called a mortgage . When you expunge the mortgage on the property you bought It can happen to buy a house with a mortgage, and it is possible to cancel it after the acquisition . The law says that the new owner of the mortgaged house can proceed to this cancellation, however, only through a judicial process. Thus, if you have bought a property recently, and it is mortgaged, after registration the purchase will not be responsible for the payment of the previous mortgage. In this situation, you must inform the creditors of the procedure, completely pay all the debts associated with the mortgage or reach a payment agreement with the creditors, which may involve the payment of an amount equal to the value of the purchase of the property. After these procedures, you must file a lawsuit with the court, proving that everything went well. Have you been clear about this? Follow SUPERCASA Notícias for more topics like this and, if you still have questions about how you can sell your home, we advise you to read Formalize the sale of a property: what are the bureaucracies
Source: SUPERCASA Author: Redaction 2 bedroom apartment in Cascais, Lisbon - 287.000€ 1 bedroom apartment in Cascais e Estoril, Lisbon - 435.000€ Semi-detached house T3 in Olhão, Algarve - 730.000€ House 3 Bedrooms in Grândola e Santa Margarida da Serra, Setúbal - 995.000€ And find more variety of properties in supercasa.pt
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The Bank of Portugal (BdP) released this Monday, March 25, its report monitoring the macro-prudential recommendations, where it reveals the profiles of new customers of housing loans contracted in 2023 . According to the analysis, the profile of new customers improved , despite not being directly comparable with that of previous years. According to the bank, 61% of new residential credit customers have a low risk profile, meaning that they are customers with effort rates less than or equal to 50% of their income, as well as a Loan to value ratiowhich means the amount borrowed by the bank against the value of the property, less than or equal to 80%. As explained by the BdP, since 2018 there has been an improvement in the risk profile of borrowers who contract housing loans, and last year there was a clear growth in housing credit agreements granted to clients with a low-risk profile, which increased to 61% in 2023 from 49% in 2022. Average age of buyers is 30 years It was also possible to determine the weighted average maturity of new home loans, which stood at 30.6 years of age during the month of December last year. This means that banks are complying with the recommendations to converge the average maturity for 30 years, however, in the European Union (EU), Portugal is one of the countries with the highest average maturity. On the duration of loans, this is usually tens of years, so it is up to the banks to assess the ability of the customer to continue with the payment of instalments if interest rates increase. In this sense, the rate of effort that banks have to simulate to facilitate access to credit has been reduced from 3% to 1.5% in order to increase interest rates. Keep abreast ECB warns of bad credit risks
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) advanced this Monday, March 25, show that, in 2023, fewer residents in Portugal bought a house, representing the lowest value since the beginning of the series started in 2019 . Thus, in 2023, the number fell 19.8% compared to 2022, settling at 126,108 units, which totals 92.4% of the total number of transactions. In value, purchases from domestic buyers represented 24,400 million euros out of a total of 28 billion euros of the properties traded in 2023. This weight is 87.3%, the lowest since 2019, with a drop of 1.3 percentage points compared to the previous year. As for purchases of houses made by residents with fiscal domicile outside Portugal, the number totaled 10,391 units , that is, 3.1% less compared to 2022. This represents EUR 3.6 billion, down 1.4% year-on-year. Follow up: Foreigners make up 11% of the housing credit allocated in 2023
Source: SUPERCASA Author: Redaction Have you ever imagined waking up in the morning, having your breakfast on the balcony of the room, overlooking the sea, while absorbing the aroma of sea air and feeling the calm wind hit you in the face? It’s a dream that can easily come true. If you are looking for an investment in the real estate market that can transform into your permanent home or holiday home, this is the ideal opportunity to achieve it! To toast you with the dream of living next to the beach , we present you the best properties for sale in several Portuguese seaside locations , so you can decide to go ahead with a visit and, who knows, buy one of these wonderful houses. Find out what we have in store for you! 1 bedroom apartment in São Gonçalo de Lagos, Algarve - 285.000€ 3 bedroom apartment in Costa da Caparica, Setúbal - 350.000€ 3 bedroom apartment in São Martinho do Porto, Leiria - 375.000€ House 4 Bedrooms in Atouguia da Baleia, Leiria - 389.000€ Apartment T3 Duplex in Nazaré, Leiria - 485.000€ House T4 Triplex in Ericeira, Lisbon - 690.000€ Discover more properties in SUPERCASA !
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Data presented this Thursday, March 14, by the Bank of Portugal (BdP) reveals an increase in the number of foreigners obtaining home loans, now representing more than 10% of the total granted last year. Although foreign borrowers accounted for more of the total number of new home loans, rising from 9.5% in 2022 to 11.7% in 2023, the amount granted was lower, at 1.2 million euros, which represents a decrease of around 6% on the previous year. In total, around 10 billion euros were financed for the purchase of a home, which represents a drop of 24% when compared to the figures for 2022, explained by the sharp rise in interest rates on home loans. As for the nationalities that stand out in obtaining new home loans, they are Brazilians , with 28% of the amount granted, the British , with 9% and the Americans , representing 6%. Keep up to date with all the latest news with SUPERCASA Notícias
Source: SUPERCASA Author: Redaction Investing in property is something youll inevitably come across if you havent yet bought your first permanent home, or if youre looking for new potential investments. Real estate is undoubtedly one of the most profitable sectors, so buying a house can be a good option in the long term. Choosing to buy new construction in this context is in itself an advantageous choice, as there will be greater potential for a new property to appreciate in value than an older one , which will probably need work, interventions or structural rehabilitation. When you buy a new property, you wont have these problems and youll be offered a guarantee of quality at the time of purchase. So, if youre interested in this type of investment and youre looking for the best options for sale on the market , take a look at the six property suggestions SUPERCASA has brought for you today, see the photos, virtual tours and videos of the properties, and ask to book your visit if any of them catch your eye! Flat T0+1 in Campanhã, Porto - 211.000€ 1 bedroom flat in Oeiras, Lisbon - 299.000€ 2 bedroom flat in Porto - 370.000€ 2 bedroom flat in Santa Maria Maior, Lisboa - 500.000€ 2 bedroom flat in Porto - 854.000€ 3 bedroom flat in Olhão, Algarve - 1.340.000€ And if you want to discover other types of property, check out Houses to renovate: bring a property back to life , Living by the sea: turn this dream into reality or Want to buy a house with a garden? SUPERCASA has
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Whether youre buying or selling, the energy certificate is one of the documents youll always have to take into account if youre thinking of selling a property. Its intrinsically linked to the propertys energy performance and is a fundamental document in any transaction. The presentation of this certificate is, in fact, mandatory by law , so today, in this SUPERCASA Notícias article, we explain exactly everything you need to know, how the Energy Certification Systems (SCE) work, when you should present the necessary documents, the types of assessment and their advantages , as well as what can happen if you default. What are the legal obligations for property owners and real estate agents? As stipulated by Decree-Law 118/2013 of 20 August, all owners of a property are obliged to comply with the specific obligations of indicating the energy rating, and they are also responsible for indicating the propertys rating and respective documentation to real estate agents. They are also responsible for providing a copy, or the original, of the Energy Certificate in situations where they enter into - a promissory contract for the purchase and sale of the property; - rental agreement. Failure to fulfil these obligations is subject to monetary fines. On the part of estate agents and consultants, they must include information about the energy class of the property in their sales or rental adverts in order to avoid considerable fines and poor quality adverts. What is the Energy Certification System for Buildings (SCE)? This is an instrument with European Union legislative guidelines, implemented in Portugal, which plays a fundamental role in enhancing energy efficiency and promoting sustainable energy in buildings. It establishes a link between the energy efficiency policies defined by European regulations, market agents and buyers/owners. Thus, included in the SCE is the Energy Certificate, a document that, as its name explains, assesses the energy efficiency of the building, certifying it with a rating that can vary between A+, A, B, B-, C, D, E and F , from the highest to the lowest efficiency rating. How does Energy Certification work? Eligible in buildings or autonomous fractions under the SCE, energy certificates are required by law in all buildings, new or old, whenever they are put up for sale or on the rental market , but also in buildings that are undergoing rehabilitation or interventions, and whose value is greater than 25 per cent. According to ADENE - Agência para a Energia (Energy Agency) and its SCE Guide , any building that is a covered construction with walls and floors intended for human use must be covered by an energy certification, whether it is composed of one or several bodies, as is the case, for example, in schools, hospitals, tourist resorts, among others . In the energy certification document for a property, you will find: - an assessment of the propertys energy efficiency, on a scale from very inefficient (F) to very efficient (A+); - information on the propertys characteristics, such as insulation, types of ventilation, air conditioning and domestic hot water production, and their effect on energy consumption; - improvement measures that suggest ways to lower energy consumption and improve the comfort and health of the residents/inhabitants of the property; - indication of tax benefits and types of financing available, when available. The great advantage of this document is the immediate value it gives to the property , as you will have an analysis of the type of consumption, advantages and disadvantages of the property, indications of improvements and structural characteristics, which will make all the difference when selling or buying the house. But there are others. Advantages of the Energy Certificate As we said above, this is a document that will greatly enhance the value of your home, but its not the only advantage: - Through the certificate, you get to know the property much better , both structurally and in terms of the energy consumption it will have; - you know how you can reduce your energy consumption and expenditure in a permanent and efficient way; - knows exactly what the direct implications are for comfort and health , if any; - indicates personalised improvements according to energy performance, in order to reduce consumption; - you have access to financial and tax benefits, which well explain below. Financial and tax benefits of the Energy Certificate A house with a higher energy rating will be more competitive on the market than one with a lower rating . However, it is also an asset in financial and fiscal terms, allowing you to access better rates when implementing the improvement measures indicated in the document. The tax benefits with the most impact on your wallet will be a refund of the IMT (Municipal Property Transfer Tax) if you rehabilitate your home, for which you can get more information from your local council or town hall, but also a reduction in the municipal IMI (Municipal Property Tax) rate, which you can also find out about from your local council. Another of the great financial advantages of an energy certificate is the exemption from municipal taxes when an urban building undergoing urban regeneration is rehabilitated , as well as the exemption from the issuance fee when re-issuing a new Energy Certificate after the improvements have been implemented. What is assessed in an Energy Certificate, who carries out the assessment and where can you request it? The assessment is carried out and issued by independent Qualified Experts, who will assess the installation of double glazing, insulation reinforcements and the existence of efficient equipment, among other things. To request this assessment, you should ask for quotes from several qualified experts working in your neighbourhood or area of residence. It is important to ask several experts to find the one who will give you the best price and, once you have found the professional assessor, gather the necessary documents and provide access to all areas of the house during the assessment. In the end, ask for the preliminary version of the certificate and check the data on the document to make sure everything is correct before it is issued definitively. How much does an Energy Certificate cost? The amounts will vary depending on whether it is a residential building or a building for commerce and services, and the cost of issuing the certificate will always be associated with two variants: 1. Qualified Expert (QE) fees, which vary according to the complexity of the building, its condition and conservation, so there are no fixed figures for reference. 2. The value of registering the certificate on the SCE Portal, defined by government decree, and for which the following values are associated: Residential buildings - Studio and one-bedroom typologies - €28.00 - T2 and T3 typologies - 40,50€ - T4 and T4 typologies - 55,000€ - Types T6 and above - 65,00€ Commercial and service buildings - With a floor area equal to or less than 250m 2 - €135.00 - With a floor area of more than 250m 2 and less than or equal to 500m 2 - €350.00 - With a floor area of more than 500 m 2 and less than or equal to 5000 m 2 - €750.00 - With a useful floor area of more than 5000 m 2 - €950,000 You should bear in mind that energy certificates have an expiry date, which varies according to the type of certificate in question, but which you should consider in the following terms: - Pre-energy certificates: 10 years; - Energy certificates: 10 years; - GES energy certificates (large commercial and service buildings): 8 years; - First GES energy certificates for new buildings and major renovations: 3 years. There are also validity periods for the following criteria: - Energy certificates for GES that are in operation and do not have a Maintenance Plan: 1 year; - Energy certificates for commercial and service buildings that do not have the technical systems inspection report, when mandatory: 1 year; - Energy certificates for boarded-up buildings: 1 year (extendable on request to ADENE). Are you clear? Read also Turnkey homes: how does this concept work , Tips for remodelling your property without spending a lot of money
Source: Pexels Author: Redaction Located on the breathtaking cliffs of the Portuguese coast, Azenhas do Mar is a pearl that enchants visitors with its unique beauty . The little white houses adorned with tiles and the extraordinary natural landscape make this region seem like something out of a fairy tale. In addition to the breathtaking scenery, visitors can enjoy walks along the cliffs and explore the villages narrow alleys . You cant miss the watermill, which lends its name to this charming seaside village. How do I get to this small village? Located in the municipality of Colares, close to Sintra and around 40 kilometres from Lisbon , Azenhas do Mar is easily accessible by car or via the historic Sintra Tram, followed by a pleasant walk to the village, which offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The village offers a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, ideal for enjoying a meal of fresh seafood in its seafront restaurants and soaking up the natural beauty that surrounds it. Gastronomy by the sea Food lovers wont be disappointed by the variety of fresh fish and seafood dishes on offer in the local restaurants. Here you can try traditional dishes such as octopus rice, codfish à lagareiro, Bulhão Pato clams and charcoal-grilled fish. And for those seeking a calmer, more relaxing environment, the natural pools invite you to take an invigorating dip, while the sunsets provide an unforgettable spectacle. Art and history This former fishing village has inspired artists over the years with its picturesque landscapes and tranquil atmosphere. Painters such as Júlio Pomar and Emílio da Paula Campos found this place an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The natural beauty of Azenhas do Mar, with its houses sloping down the hillside towards the sea, is true visual poetry, a source of inspiration for all who visit. Take a look at SUPERCASAs suggestions if youre looking for a house in this town
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The housing crisis in Portugal has generated a growing demand for innovative and efficient solutions for building or remodelling properties. In this context, the turnkey house concept has gained popularity as a comprehensive and convenient alternative. In this SUPERCASA Notícas article, well explore in detail what a turnkey home is and its advantages. What is a turnkey house? The term turnkey house refers to a complete, integrated service that covers both the remodelling and construction of properties. This service encompasses all the processes, from labour to the necessary documentation, respecting the pre-defined budget, deadlines and current legislation. By opting for a turnkey house, homeowners can enjoy a personalised, worry-free solution. Key decisions to consider When embarking on a turnkey project, homeowners face three fundamental decisions: - Choosing the ideal plot for construction or remodelling. - Defining the type of construction , adapted to their needs and objectives. - Selecting the architectural project that best suits their personal style and preferences. Once these decisions have been made, the company responsible for the project takes on the full management of the work , from logistics to execution, guaranteeing a high level of personalisation and quality finishes. Choosing the right construction company The choice of builder plays a crucial role in the success of the project. As such, SUPERCASA Notícias suggests that you carry out thorough research into the company, including visiting previous building sites, looking up references and trying to find out a little about its financial situation. In addition, if you plan to take out a building loan, its essential to select a reliable and competent builder to guarantee approval of the financing. Thus, turnkey houses have emerged as a comprehensive and efficient solution for building or remodelling properties. By opting for this service, homeowners can enjoy a worry-free experience, with guaranteed quality and personalisation. Other articles like this that may interest you: Are you buying a house on plan? Advantages and disadvantages , Tips for remodelling your property without spending a lot of money or Buying a new house or remodelling?
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction All parties seek to achieve the same objectives: to increase supply and make purchase and rental prices more affordable. However, it is the approach to achieving these goals that sets them apart. The main differences lie between the left-wing and right-wing spectrums, with the left-wing parties singling out the economic growth strategy based on tourism, local accommodation, gold visas and the application of the IRS minimum for residents as the causes of the housing crisis. On the other hand, right-wing parties blame the difficulties and bureaucracy in construction processes , arguing that a free market would be the best option for both tenants and owners. Here are some of the main proposals for housing from each party. Partido Socialista Aliança Democrática Chega Iniciativa Liberal Bloco de Esquerda Coligação Democrática Unitária Livre Pessoas – Animais – Natureza Partido Socialista (PS) Home ownership: - Public guarantee on bank financing for housing loans for individuals up to 40 years old without property in their name; - Possibility of keeping the house as a permanent home by paying rent to the state in the event of non-payment of the mortgage. Housing for young people: - An increase of 50 euros per year in the deductible expenditure on rent for personal income tax purposes, up to 800 euros; - Revision of the calculation formula for updating rents, including the evolution of salaries in the updating criteria in years with inflation above 2%. For construction: - Ensure the integration of cost-controlled solutions in the licensing of new projects; - Encourage a program for the state to purchase houses mortgaged to banks, with a guarantee of a lifetime lease for the owners or integration of these houses into affordable rental programs. Aliança Democrática (PSD, CDS e PPM) To solve the housing crisis, the proposals of the DA (PSD, CDS and PPM) essentially include: - Increasing the supply of housing; - Reducing taxes and bureaucracy; - Injecting public properties into the market. Housing for young people: - Freeing younger age groups from stamp duty and IMT when buying their first home; - Public guarantee to make it possible for banks to finance the entire price of the house. For construction: - Applying VAT at a minimum rate of 6% on construction and rehabilitation work; - Creation of public-private partnerships to build and rehabilitate housing on a large scale. One of the main points of ADs campaign is also the repeal of measures implemented by the previous government, such as the freezing of rents, forced renting and measures penalizing local accommodation. Chega On taxes, Chega proposes: - Repeal AIMI; - Abolish IMT and IMI when it comes to permanent housing. Housing for young people: - When it comes to buying a first home, the party proposes re-establishing subsidized youth credit with specific credit lines; - Lower interest rates for loans granted to young people up to the age of 35. For construction: - Making suitable land available for housing construction; - Encourage the construction of affordable housing using public land with a 90-year concession. Iniciativa Liberal (IL) The Liberal Initiatives proposals include eliminating rent freezes, increasing the amount of land available for housing, encouraging construction and eliminating all forms of forced renting. Housing for young people: - Reducing VAT on construction from the current 23% to the minimum rate of 6% for new buildings; - Elimination of IMT on the purchase of own permanent housing. For construction: - Creation of an incentive scheme for new construction for rent (built-to-rent); - Increasing the number of plots available for construction and maximizing the use of these plots through high-rise construction. Bloco de Esquerda (BE) For the Left Bloc, starting to solve the housing crisis involves three topics: controlling rents, lowering interest rates and increasing supply. To control rents: - Establish maximum ceilings for rents, taking into account variables such as the area of the property, the quality of the accommodation, energy certification, location and typology; - Limit the legal updating of rents based on the evolution of purchasing power. For housing loans: - Use Caixa Geral de Depósitos position to implement a low interest rate policy in the housing loan market; - Encourage a reduction in the cost of loans for own and permanent housing. For affordable housing: - Set aside part of new construction for affordable housing; - Support the public construction of new affordable rental housing. Coligação Democrática Unitária (PCP-PEV) For the CDU, one of the most urgent measures is to expand the public housing supply: - By mobilizing state assets for housing purposes and investing in the construction of public housing; - Support for the cooperative movement, the social and mutual sector to build quality housing at controlled costs, for supported or conditional rent, including cases of recovery, construction and rehabilitation. In the case of affordable and student housing: - Creation of a program of university residences with controlled-cost construction and free access for student accommodation; - Reconfiguration of the Housing and Urban Rehabilitation Institute (IHRU) as a central public body that promotes public housing and boosts construction and urban rehabilitation policies. With regard to rents, the Communist Party proposes - Repeal of the evictions law and the creation of a special tenant protection regime to limit rent increases and evictions; - Changing the supported rent regime to ensure that the rent does not exceed an effort rate of 15% of the households net income and that changes in income are automatically reflected in the rent. Livre One of Livres flagships is to reach 10% public housing, to minimize the lack of supply in the rental market, allocating funds from the State Budget for continuous investment in construction, rehabilitation and conservation, in order to reach 600,000 homes in the long term. Livre believes that public housing should not be restricted to social housing, but should be expanded to include other programs, demanding a rigorous survey of the number of public housing units. For those who want to buy their first home, the party proposes: - Financing of up to 30% of the propertys market value for first-time homebuyers, in the form of an equity loan to help with the down payment and expenses, with a guarantors guarantee in return; - To be eligible for the program, the cost of housing cannot exceed the average value per square meter measured by INE for the municipality where the property is located, and the type of housing must correspond to the households constitution. With regard to affordable and student housing: - Increase the number of vacancies in university residences and social support for housing displaced students, by creating university residences on underused state property; - Create a housing desk that functions as a single national network of specialized services, in person and via a digital platform, to deal with all aspects related to access to housing; In the field of renting: - Include the rental of a room, in a dwelling of a type appropriate to the number of people sharing the house, in the Porta 65 program, aimed at a single person regardless of age; - Establish ceilings on rents, for at least five years, for homes owned by landlords who receive funding from state-sponsored programs. Pessoas – Animais – Natureza (PAN) In the area of rents, the PAN proposes: - Significantly reduce the IRS of landlords who promote affordable rents; - Updating rent prices below inflation. For young people: - Convert vacant public properties into housing for young people, namely students, with rents in line with the value of university residences. It is proposed that they should be able to live there for a year after the end of their studies; - Approve a subsidized credit scheme for young people aged 18 to 35 for housing loans and ensure a reduction in additional expenses when buying their own home. The PAN also plans to - Create a regime of non-discrimination in access to renting for families with pets; - Reviewing territorial management instruments to include and provide for a possible limitation and suspension of authorizations in some cases and areas of the country for local accommodation. See also: Where do the politicians running for parliament live? Find out more