Anyone selling or renting their property in Spain is required to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This document reports on the energy efficiency of your home in terms of energy consumption. In the past this law applied only to developers but in a noble effort to improve the environment and promote energy proficiency now all properties both new and resold require the certificate. All homes being advertised for sale or rent are legally required to have an EPC. If you do not have an EPC when you sell or rent your property you could be liable for a fine. You will not be able to sell or rent a property in Spain without an EPC. You can check whether your property or prospective property already has an EPC by consulting the regional registry and looking up the property catastral reference.
How to get an EPC
You will need to obtain an EPC before you advertise your property for sale or rent. Go to the epc-spain website and book a visit from one of the representatives. An official assessor called an arquitect is authorized to undertake building projects and thermal installations. This official visits your home and carried out an energy survey, then assigns the property an energy rating. The property is assigned an energy rating on a scale from A (optimum efficiency) to G (least efficiency). The assessor will look at the boiler, double glazed windows, radiators, air conditioning etc. The assessor will also make recommendations of how you could improve your energy rating by at least one level.
The report is then registered with the authorities. An EPC is valid for 10 years unless you make changes to the structure of the property. Having the EPC survey assessment will cost you 155€ for up to 100m²; 195€ for 100m²-200m²; 215€ for 200m²-300m² and 280€ for up to 400m² plus IVA. There is no other way to get an EPC certificate; the assessor has to physically visit the property before drawing up the report. You are not obliged to make improvements to the energy efficiency of your property even if it has a very low rating. The rating will only affect the sale of your home if the buyer is concerned by the low energy proficiency but there is no legal consequence to having a low rating.
Exceptions to the Rule
Certain structures are exempt from the EPC requirement. The following structures do not require an EPC: Buildings which are officially part of a protected designated environment; have special architectural or historic significance; buildings or parts of buildings used for worship; temporary structures with a planned time of use exceeding two years; industrial buildings; non-residential agricultural structures; structures part of the defense force; structures or parts of buildings which are insulated with a total useful floor area of less than 50m² and buildings bought for major renovations or demolition.
