All News

Effective January 1, 2013, buildings and homes offered for sale or rent in Spain must have an energy performance certificate subscribed by a qualified certifier. This Royal Decree, published in late June, expands the scope of the requirement to include both new and existing buildings and complies with EU Directives. It ensures that buyers or tenants will have access to an energy performance certificate, allowing them to evaluate and compare energy efficiency, thereby encouraging the promotion of energy efficient buildings and investments in energy savings. 

This will have a significant impact on the real estate sector, according to AEGI, a leading real estate association in Spain. The energy performance certificate must be included in any offer, promotion and advertising of the sale or lease of the property, and therefore must be in place prior to marketing the property. 

AEGI is responding by taking a number of steps to assist its members support and comply with the new regulation. These include, among others, adding information to the AEGI website on energy efficiency and energy rating of buildings, developing a related agent training plan, implementing an information and outreach campaign between the companies and real estate professionals, offering an Energy Certification Service, and providing technical advice and support services for members.

A third draft provision of the decree states that all buildings built from 31 December 2020 should be almost zero energy consumption. This new regulation, if adopted as currently drafted, will mean a great challenge for the property management industry. It will also offer agents an opportunity to provide new products and services of high value to customers.