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CRIME

The secret language used by burglars to break into homes in Spain 

With the latest news that criminals in Valencia have been marking locks with lip balm to later burgle the homes, we review the letters, symbols and other tricks used by thieves to pinpoint which properties are fit for break-ins. 

Published: 22 August 2022 17:16 CEST
Updated: 17 November 2023 10:32 CET
secret language burglars spain
Make sure you keep your eyes open for some of the tricks and markings burglars use which we've listed in this article. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

Spanish police have for some years been warning homeowners and their neighbours to keep a close eye out for odd markings on doors in apartment blocks or residential areas, because there’s a high chance they’re there for a reason. 

The latest proof of this is the arrest of two men in Valencia on November 16th, after police caught them in the act of breaking and entering properties which their gang had earlier marked as ‘suitable’ with a very discreet clue: lip balm on the lock. They would then use a thin sheet of plastic to open the doors, a method known as el resbalón in Spanish.  

In the first half of 2023, there were just under 60,000 burglaries reported in Spain. 

With the mass exodus of millions of Spaniards to the coast over the summer period, this is typically the time when most break-ins take place, especially in places in Spain’s interior that go quiet while many of their inhabitants are on holiday elsewhere.

For several years, there have been reports in the Spanish press that organised crime gangs are operating differently to what most people would expect from burglars. 

An increasing number of their members are posing as ‘tourists’ on holiday in Spain, taking time off work in their home countries to ransack empty chalets in upmarket Spanish neighbourhoods. Those who work as locksmiths, plumbers or who have handymen jobs are being hired by these crime networks for their skills with the draw of earning ‘an extra salary’ while on vacation, Spain’s National Police has reported.

“They’re from many different countries” and rarely carry weapons on them as their intention is to carry out the burglary and escape unnoticed.  

Authorities also report a rise in the number of women joining these gangs. “No one expects that a woman with a shopping bag or trolley will be involved in a burglary,” Domingo Medina, representative of Spain’s Civil Guard Association (AEGC) told 20 minutos. 

READ ALSO: How to prevent a burglary at your home in Spain

Madrid’s Civil Guard unit is now seeking to inform the general public of the warning signs that a burglary in their neighbourhood could be about to happen. 

One of the most common tricks used by burglars to identify properties that are suitable for breaking into involves placing a small piece of transparent plastic in the door frame. 

If after a few days the slim plastic sheet is still in the same place, that tells them that nobody has opened the door during that time and therefore there’s a higher chance that they can break in unnoticed.

Then there are a number of symbols and letters gangs use to inform their members of which properties can be burglarised, along with other information. 

According to Spain’s Civil Guard, neighbours should look out for the following symbols and letters on door frames, walls, locks, gates and other areas near the property’s entrance:  

  • A small triangle indicates the property has been burglarised before. 
  • Numbers inside circles indicate the property will be vacant that month. Usually the number refers to the month (ie. 7 would mean empty in July).
  • The letter X means the owners are on holiday. 
  • A diamond shape points out that the dwelling is unoccupied. ​
  • The letter W specifies that the property is suitable for a burglary at night. 
  • ​The letter M indicates that the property is empty in the morning. 
  • The letter D tells burglars that the property is empty on Sundays.

The following image posted by Spanish locksmiths AG Cerrajería gives an even more detailed breakdown of some of the imagery used by burglars, including some alarming symbols to indicate “disabled person”, “woman on her own”, “children alone in the afternoon” or “elderly person”. 

symbols burglars spain

Source: agcerrajeria.com

As can be seen, the symbolism is in some cases different to that reported by Spanish authorities.

They recommend that tenants, property owners or neighbours who spot something like this which looks out of the ordinary first take a photo of it, contact the police by calling 091 and then ask if it would be possible to rub or clean it off.

Another trick Spain’s national police has informed the general public of this summer is similar to that of the small piece of plastic, but in this case involves a string of silicone glue going from the frame to the door. Again, if it remains unbroken for a number of days it indicates that the door has not been opened by the property’s owners or tenants.

Make sure you keep your eyes open for some of the tricks and markings burglars use which we’ve listed above.

Spain is generally a very safe country where violent crime remains uncommon, but non-violent forms of theft are far more prevalent. 

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PROPERTY

How to contest the cadastral value of your Spanish property

The cadastral value and cadastral reference of a property in Spain affect various factors including how much yearly property tax and inheritance tax you'll pay. Here's how to change the valuation Spanish authorities give your home.

Published: 14 June 2024 09:20 CEST
How to contest the cadastral value of your Spanish property

When it comes to taxes, everyone wants to know if there are ways to pay less. While it’s not always possible, there are certain factors that affect particularly taxes associated with your Spanish property – namely the cadastral value and the cadastral reference. But, can they be changed or rectified?

What is the cadastral value?

The cadastral value is applied to all properties in Spain. It’s the value applied to your property by the Ministry of Finance or Hacienda and serves as a tax base to determine how much IBI tax or Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles you pay for example. This is a yearly tax for all those who own property in Spain.

READ ALSO: What is Spain’s IBI tax and how do I pay it?

The value will depend on the size of your property, the condition it’s in, the year it was built and the cost of construction, among other factors.

It differs from the cadastral reference, which is an estimate of the market value of a property and is used as a reference for the real estate market. It is also used as a tax base for inheritance and property transfer tax.  

How is it determined?

At the beginning of each year, the cadastral value of homes is reviewed, and as a result, it can increase or decrease. This is why your IBI bill can increase or decrease too. As a general rule, the cadastral value is usually much lower than the market price, but this is not always the case.

How do I find out the cadastral value? 

To know the cadastral value of a property, you must first know the cadastral reference. Then you can find the value in the corresponding public records online. You can find this reference on your IBI bills, as well as on your property deeds.

Once you have this you can go to the electronic headquarters of the Cadastre, and click on ‘reference value’. There you will find all the information about the cadastral reference and the corresponding cadastral value.

Even if you’re not the owner of a property, but want to find out the cadastral value of a property you’re considering buying, you can find it out here.

Can I change the cadastral value of my home?

Yes, it is in fact possible to change the value. If you believe that the cadastral value of your property is too high with respect to the market price of your home, you can request that it be reduced.

You may want to do this in order to lower your IBI bill or if you want to sell your property at a lower price than the market value.

How do I lower the value?

If you believe that you have a case for changing it, you can make a claim to the General Directorate of Cadastre, overseen by the Ministry of Finance. There are two different claims you can make:

  • The procedure for correcting discrepancies
  • The procedure for rectification of material and arithmetic errors.

Procedure for correcting discrepancies

This option is typically used when there is a large difference between the market price and the cadastral value of a property, as well as when there are errors or false data about the characteristics of your home.

To do this, you must go to the Cadastre office in your municipality or apply online at the Cadastre Electronic Headquarters.

Procedure for rectification of material and arithmetic errors

The second option is used when there are errors or incorrect urban planning information, which affects your home. Again you can do this in person or online. In this case, it will have a retroactive effect. If you have paid too much IBI in the past, then it should be returned to you if the application goes in your favour.

Can I change the cadastral reference of my home?

If the reference value of your home is higher than the market value, then you may be wondering if you can change the reference in order to lower your tax base.

Unfortunately, you cannot request changing this in the same way as you can with the cadastral value. But, the good news is that there is a way to challenge it indirectly.

To do this you will need to request an appraisal from a company approved by the Bank of Spain. If the result of this turns out to be lower than the reference, you can try to rectify your self-assessment tax return, providing the appraisal as evidence that you should be on a lower tax base. As mentioned above, this will only affect certain taxes like inheritance or property transfer. 

In order to approve this, the tax office will need a report from the General Directorate of the Cadastre who may be able to rectify the reference and provide a report to settle the matter.

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