What is the Energy Certificate?

When renting a house, it is essential to have the energy certificate, a document that evaluates and qualifies the energy efficiency of the building or the house itself. This report, mandatory in many countries, including Spain, assigns an energy label ranging from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). In addition to being a legal requirement, the energy certificate provides valuable information on the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the property, helping to promote more sustainable housing and reduce environmental impact.

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What is the Energy Certificate for?

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• Transparent information: it provides owners and potential tenants or buyers with clear and accurate information about the energy efficiency of the property.

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• Cost reduction: it identifies areas where improvements can be made to reduce energy consumption.

• Property valuation: a good energy certificate can increase the value of a property, as more efficient homes tend to be more attractive on the market.

• Legal compliance: in many countries, such as Spain, it is mandatory to have this certificate.

• Environmental commitment: contributing to the fight against climate change.

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The importance of the Energy Certificate in renting

The Energy Certificate is essential if you are looking to rent your property. In Spain, among many other countries, it is a legal obligation to be able to rent a property and failure to comply with this rule can lead to penalties for the owner.  

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Another important reason to have an Energy Certificate, apart from the legal one, is that it provides real and reliable information to the future tenant about the energy status of the property, which will be reflected in the final consumption. Thus, a property with an Energy Certificate close to "A" will be much more attractive to the tenant, especially in such a competitive rental market.

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Steps to follow to obtain the Energy Certificate

Obtaining an energy certificate is a simple process if the proper steps are followed:  

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1. Hire a certified technician: this professional can be an architect, engineer or technician qualified in energy efficiency and will be in charge of performing the certification.

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2. Visit and evaluation of the property: the technician will evaluate various aspects of the property such as insulation, heating, cooling and hot water systems, as well as the type of windows and doors.

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3. Issuance of the report: after the evaluation, the technician will prepare the energy certificate report, which will include the energy efficiency rating and recommendations for improvement.

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4. Registration of the Certificate: the certificate must be registered with the corresponding official body, which involves an administrative fee of around €100 - €300 on average, depending on the Autonomous Community.

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5. Delivery of the Certificate: once registered, the energy certificate is delivered to the owner. It will be their responsibility to provide it to future buyers or tenants when appropriate.

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The Energy Certificate is more than just a legal requirement; for owners it represents an opportunity to improve and enhance the value of their properties, while for tenants and buyers, it offers security when choosing a home that is economical in terms of energy expenditure and also environmentally friendly.

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