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Buying or selling a property in Spain can involve more than simply agreeing a price and signing the paperwork. For homeowners in Camposol, a recent legal ruling highlights why checking the property's situation before starting a transaction can be particularly important.

 

A resolution issued by Spain's Directorate-General for Legal Certainty and Public Faith in April 2026 has clarified the requirements surrounding older buildings and structures located within a watercourse protection zone, known as a zona de policía.

 

The ruling could be particularly relevant to properties in Camposol where a home, extension, swimming pool, porch or other construction is located within the protected area around a ravine or watercourse.

 

Previously, the fact that building work had existed for many years could be an important part of the process for declaring and registering an older construction. However, the latest ruling confirms that being able to prove the age of a building is not necessarily enough where a property is affected by the special regulations governing public water resources.

 

In these circumstances, the relevant water authority may need to provide a formal statement about the property before previously unregistered building work can be entered into the Land Registry. The ruling concerned the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana, although the principle is relevant to properties falling under other basin authorities, including the Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura.

 

For homeowners, this means that checking a property's position before beginning a declaración de obra nueva or putting a property on the market could help identify potential complications at an early stage.

 

Gestoría Carvajal, which has offices in Puerto de Mazarrón and Camposol, specialises in helping international residents and property owners navigate Spanish administrative and property procedures. The firm offers personalised advice based on each property's individual circumstances, helping clients understand what documentation and permissions may be required.

 

The team recommends checking whether a property is affected by a watercourse protection zone before starting the registration process or proceeding with a purchase or sale.

 

This can be particularly relevant for homeowners who have made additions or improvements over the years that do not appear on the property's Land Registry records.

 

Every property is different, and the legal requirements can depend on its location, the nature and age of the construction and its relationship with the protected area. Getting the situation checked before starting a transaction can therefore help homeowners understand what needs to be done and avoid discovering an issue further down the line.

 

For Camposol residents who are unsure whether their property could be affected, Gestoría Carvajal can assess the individual circumstances and explain the next steps involved in getting the property's documentation in order.