If you are reading this, it is because you have probably found out that you need to have the energy efficiency certificate or CEE to sell or rent your property. And why is it necessary then if you have been living without it without any problem? Or if you have already sold or rented before without this document? Are there exceptions?
Compulsory energy efficiency certificate
The energy efficiency certificate is a mandatory document for any process of renting or buying and selling a property (not just homes) since June 2013. It is a novelty that was incorporated by Royal Decree 235/2013 and that comes from European directives.
Before its approval, whether or not to dispose of this document depended on the will of each owner. For this reason, rentals and sales made before the entry into force of this decree are not affected by the regulations. Of course, if the rental contract you had ends and you want to rent again now, you will have to have a certificate for the new contract.
Why is the energy efficiency certificate important?
The energy certificate allows knowing the level of energy consumption of the home and its CO2 emission, that is, its level of energy efficiency. It is, therefore, an issue that affects both the environmental impact and the bills that we must pay each month.
When this certificate is registered, an energy label is received that indicates the degree of efficiency of the property, with A being the best score and G the least efficient.
Consumer law
The certificate and energy label have become a right for the consumer. Knowing the level of consumption and spending that a home or premises will generate is a key factor when deciding on a property or opting for another.
For this reason, the law establishes that any advertisement published for a property must contain the energy rating. Likewise, when going to a real estate agency, possession of the CEE must be accredited.
In the sale, the seller has to deliver the certificate to the new owner, while in a rental contract a copy of the document must be provided.
Fines for not having the energy certificate
Renting or selling without an energy certificate carries fines ranging from €300 to €6,000. The sanctions are divided into minor, serious and very serious and are included in Law 8/2013, of June 26.
For example, advertising a property without indicating its energy certification is a minor offense that can be punished with a fine of between €300 and €600. Failure to deliver the document to the new user in a purchase or rental contract can lead to a disbursement of up to one thousand euros.
