The real estate sector of Spain complies with the property market regulations of European countries. The country introduced a mandatory Energy Efficiency Certificate (EPC) law for property owners to obtain before selling or renting their property.
The Real Decreto 235-2013 said the Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) is required to sign property a sale or rental agreement. The seller must give to the buyer or his legal representative the original copy of the energy efficiency certificate. Where the transaction involves a lease or rent, it is equally mandatory to attach a photocopy of the energy performance certificates to the agreement.
To sell or rent your home, owners must request for the EPC. To ask for the EPC, a registered technician will visit the property and take pictures, recordings, and measurements from things such as hot water systems, air conditioning, construction, type of windows fitted, and insulation, etc. The size of the property will determine the cost of work.
The readings taken will be entered online to one of the Government’s approved programmers who will generate ratings for the property giving its environmental impact and energy efficiency. This rating must be registered with the Autonomous Administration, and then you can proceed with the public deed of rent or sale.
The Energy Performance Certificates provides the following information:
Description of inspections, checks, tests, and carried out by technicians while providing the certification.
Recommendation to enable owners to know which improvements will help their energy rating.
Description of the energy features of the building, including thermal comfort lighting, facilities, indoor air quality, normal operating conditions and occupation, and other data used to derive the energy efficiency rating of the building.
Identification of certified building.
The evaluation of the recommendations cost-effectiveness based on the assessment of energy savings, current energy prices, and a preliminary cost estimate.
The carbon emission and energy efficiency rating of the building expressed by the energy label graded from A to G. A stands for the most energy-efficient, and G for lower efficiency.
After obtaining the original EPC, the certificate and its corresponding energy efficiency label are valid for 10 years. It is the property owner’s responsibility to renew the license as and when due.
In the event of the non-existence of the EPC, the owner is liable to a fine of 300 to 6,000 Euros. Conversely, the unavailability of the certificate may render the transaction null and void for the consumer rights violation.