To sell or rent a house, you must have the corresponding energy certificate. Anyone who does not have this document is subject to heavy fines.
What is an energy certificate?
It is a document that assesses the energy efficiency of a house on a scale of eight classes, from F (very inefficient) to A+ (very efficient). Simulate the energy class of your property here.
The energy certificate also contains information about the property's characteristics—insulation, windows, ventilation, air conditioning, and hot water production—and their effect on energy consumption.
In addition, it provides an estimate of the home's annual consumption, broken down by various uses: heating, cooling, lighting, hot water, and others.
The document also proposes improvement measures to reduce consumption and improve comfort and health, such as installing efficient windows, LED light bulbs, or reinforcing exterior or interior insulation, indicating the estimated cost of the investment, the estimated annual savings on the energy bill, and the energy class after implementing the suggested measures.
Is it mandatory?
The energy certificate is mandatory for new and used homes from the moment they are put up for sale or rent and for the conclusion of a purchase/sale or rental contract, with some exceptions.
This document is also required for used properties undergoing major renovation work, with a cost exceeding 25% of their value.
What happens to those who do not have the certificate?
In case of non-compliance, individuals are subject to fines ranging from $250 to $3,750. In the case of companies, fines range from $2,500 to $44,890.
What are the advantages of energy certification?
By certifying a house, the owner learns about its energy performance and what they can do to improve it. If they implement the suggested measures, in addition to achieving savings on their energy bill and improving thermal comfort, they can enjoy tax benefits in terms of IMI or IMT, access financing at better rates, and increase the value of the property, both in terms of sale and rental.
How to apply?
To obtain the energy certificate, simply choose a qualified expert recognized by the Energy Agency (ADENE), the entity that manages the energy certification system for buildings (SCE). You can find these professionals on the ADENE website.
What documents are required?
Before the expert's visit, it is necessary to gather various documents relating to the property to ensure that the assessment results are as accurate as possible. The complete list of documents required for the issuance of the energy certificate can be found on the ADENE website. Here are some of the documents that must be presented:
- Copies of the property's floor plan;
- Urban property registration certificate (mandatory);
- Certificate from the land registry (mandatory);
- Architectural design;
- Thermal performance design;
- Specialized design (structures, water and sewage, etc.);
- Construction log;
- Technical specifications of the dwelling;
- Building permit.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the certification process varies depending on the location, type, and purpose of the property, as well as the complexity of the work to be carried out.
In addition, qualified experts charge different prices. ADENE recommends consulting “several experts before formalizing the contract, taking into account the price and guarantee of deadlines.”
The final price essentially consists of two parts:
1-Expert fees. “The work of this independent professional does not have fixed prices and varies according to a set of factors such as the type and complexity of the building and the quantity, and is also subject to free competition and market rules,” explains ADENE. Therefore, the entity recommends consulting “several experts before formalizing the contract, taking into account the price and guarantee of deadlines”;
2-Registration fee for the issuance of energy certificates. The amount varies according to the type of property.
What is the validity period?
The energy certificate is valid for a period of 10 years for residential properties.
Finally, if you intend to rent or sell your home, you must indicate the property's energy class in the advertisement. This obligation has been in place since 2013.
Source: montepiogeral