Among the procedures related to a property, one of the most important is obtaining the certificate of habitability.
Many people are unaware of what it is used for and, above all, how it can be obtained. For this reason, below we explain how to obtain the certificate of habitability and answer all the questions related to it, specifically regarding its application process and all the requirements established in Catalonia.
What is the certificate of habitability and why is it important?
The certificate of habitability is the document that certifies that a dwelling meets the minimum requirements established in habitability regulations and that it is suitable for residential use.
This document is regulated by the autonomous communities and has a validity period of 15 years, after which the property owner must submit a new application.
Requirements to obtain the certificate of habitability
To obtain this document, it is essential to contact an architect or technical architect who will inspect the property and prepare and sign a habitability certificate. This certificate will be issued only if the dwelling meets the requirements established by each Autonomous Community. In the case of Catalonia, these are the following:
- Possess the certificate of completion of works and habitability with its annexes (A and B) officially approved.
- Submit the prior occupancy notification request to the city council.
- If the final certificate of works and habitability includes the “professional verification reference”, the Colleges of Technical Architecture of Catalonia and the College of Architects of Catalonia must provide the technical data of the dwellings included in the certificate.
When applying for the certificate of habitability, this information must be submitted as the “professional verification reference.”
If the certificate of completion of works and habitability does not include the professional verification reference, the following steps must be taken:
- Submit the application for the first occupancy certificate of habitability and obtain the corresponding application ID code.
- The qualified and licensed technical professional must provide the technical data of the dwellings included in the certificate of completion of works and habitability.
- These details must be included in the specific application form, together with the ID code obtained during the application process.
Newly built homes in Catalonia must comply with the habitability conditions of the decree in force at the time the building license was requested.
If the certified works are completed more than one year later, a ratification report signed by the competent technical professional must be attached, confirming that the dwellings continue to meet the specified habitability conditions.
How to obtain the certificate of habitability: steps and procedures
If you want to know how to obtain the certificate of habitability in Catalonia, the first thing to consider is that the procedure differs depending on whether it concerns first occupancy, second occupancy, or renewal of the certificate.
Below we explain the process for each case.
Certificate of habitability for first occupancy or major renovation
First, access the official website to apply for a first occupancy certificate of habitability.
You can apply for a certificate of habitability in Catalonia with or without a professional verification reference. The procedure is carried out exclusively online and can be submitted by any person legally authorized to do so.
After submitting the application, you will receive a receipt including the payment letter for the applicable fees and the application ID code.
The deadline to make this payment is 7 calendar days from the date of issuance. Payment can be made by bank card from the Private Area (online procedure) or with the payment letter at a bank branch.
Certificate of habitability for second occupancy
The first step is to access the website for applying for a second occupancy certificate of habitability.
Select the procedure depending on the construction date or type of dwelling. Available options include:
- Homes built before August 11, 1984
- Homes built between August 11, 1984 and November 3, 2012
- Homes with a previous certificate of habitability or protected housing classification
- Specialized consultations
In each case, the documents required for the application are specified. After completing the process, you will receive the application ID code, as in the previous procedure.
Certificate of habitability (renewal)
First access the website to request renewal of the certificate of habitability.
For this procedure you will need the standard application form (model RE-906), which includes the declaration of responsibility confirming the applicant’s relationship with the property (owner, tenant, authorized representative, etc.).
The certificate of habitability must still be valid in order to request its renewal. This is a free procedure and can be completed online.
How long does it take to obtain the certificate of habitability?
In any of the cases described, you can check the status of your application from the Private Area using idCAT Mòbil or a digital certificate, or from the section “Status of my procedures” using the application ID and your DNI or NIF.
You can also check the status by phone by calling 012, providing the application ID and your DNI or NIF.
The time it takes for a municipality in Catalonia to issue the certificate of habitability may vary, but it will not exceed 30 working days.
However, when submitting the application, you may obtain a temporary legal receipt, which can be used to activate utilities such as electricity, gas, or water provisionally.
Advantages of having a certificate of habitability
The certificate of habitability is required for several procedures related to housing in Catalonia.
Having it is both an advantage and a requirement if you want to carry out actions such as:
- Selling or renting the property
- Contracting or activating basic utility services
- Maintaining the legal status of the property and proving it is suitable for habitation
- Completing administrative or urban planning procedures
Required documentation to apply for the certificate of habitability
When applying for the certificate of habitability at the city council, the following documents must be submitted:
- Certificate of completion of works and habitability with the required approvals
- Annex A of the CFO – List of Project Modifications (C.T.E. Annex II 3.3a)
- Annex B of the CFO – List of Construction Controls and Results (C.T.E. Annex II 3.3b)
All documents must be signed with a verifiable electronic signature using a valid digital certificate.
Frequently asked questions about the certificate of habitability
How much does it cost to apply for the certificate of habitability?
The cost of the certificate of habitability depends on several factors. For example, each region may set different prices even for properties with identical characteristics. Additionally, costs may vary depending on the type of dwelling.
In Catalonia, for online processing with a 30% discount applied, the fee is:
- 1 dwelling: €31.05 per dwelling
- 2–5 dwellings: €19.15 per dwelling
- 6 or more dwellings: €14.35 per dwelling
Is it possible to apply for the certificate of habitability online?
In Catalonia, the application process for the certificate of habitability can only be completed online, through the official website of the Generalitat of Catalonia.
Is the certificate of habitability required to sell a property?
Some Autonomous Communities, including Catalonia, require the certificate of habitability for property sale transactions. In these cases, it is mandatory.
Even when it is not legally required, it is still recommended, as it is necessary to activate water, electricity, and gas services. Therefore, potential buyers will want to ensure that it has been properly processed and validated.
Can a home without a certificate of habitability obtain a mortgage?
In practice and from a legal standpoint, it is possible to apply for a mortgage without a certificate of habitability, but it is not recommended, and the financial institution may determine that the necessary requirements are not met to grant the loan.
The certificate of habitability helps confirm that the property is legally considered a residential dwelling. Therefore, a mortgage intended for a primary residence, for example, would not be granted if the property does not have this classification.
However, it would be possible to apply for a mortgage for a commercial property or similar premises without requiring a certificate of habitability.