The certificate of habitability
Also called “Cédula de habitabilidad” in Mallorca
Everyone has heard this document before, whether from the authorities, an architect or from acquaintances buying a buying a house in Mallorca. The certificate of habitability (in Spanish “Cédula de habitabilidad”) is a document that a property meets the minimum requirements to be able to live in it. There are several conditions that must be met, although these have become more stringent over the years.
Why is the certificate of habitability so important?
The document is important because without the certificate you may have problems getting a water connection, electricity connection or gas connection. Many people also see this document as security when buying a property, so it is also advantageous if you want to sell your property and get a good price (so you can sell faster on average).
Is the property legal, with a certificate of habitability?
No, not necessarily (although in most cases it is). A legal property also usually has a cédula/habitability certificate, but the document in itself does not assure 100% legality of the property. There are several other factors that are important and need to be checked, so we always recommend having a professional and reputable estate agent, lawyer or architect on your side to check these factors.
How do I get a certificate of habitability?
Necessary documents and requirement
In general, you need plans/a project of the property, a description from an architect/aparejador and the energy certificate, all of which are submitted to the authorities. In some cases, the property is then checked by an expert from the authorities (usually an architect or structural engineer from the town hall) to ensure that everything fits.
It is best to consult a trusted architect or “aparajedor”/statistician.
Is the document time limited?
YES! The certificate of habitability must be renewed every 10 years (it is usually sufficient to register this, and normally there is not even a check, as the authorities assume that everything is in order). You must not miss this date, because if something like this happens, a completely new one must be requested.
Pay special attention to this in old properties!
Pay special attention to this in old properties. In the past, these documents were issued without major checks, so it can happen that old properties have the certificate but do not fully comply with the conditions.
This means, of course, that as long as you extend the certificate of habitability, you won’t have any problems. But if it expires and you request a new one, but the inspection then reveals problems, there can be real problems.
Conclusion about the certificate of habitability
In any case, it is a document that in most cases gives you good security when you buy a property. Nevertheless, it is best to discuss it with your real estate experts!
