Certificate of Habitability in Barcelona

What is the Certificate of Habitability in Barcelona?

The Barcelona certificate of occupancy is an administrative document certifying that a home meets the minimum habitability conditions established by current regulations. This document is essential for the purchase, sale, or rental of a property in Barcelona.

Furthermore, without the Barcelona certificate of occupancy, procedures such as connecting water, electricity, or gas supplies cannot be carried out. It guarantees that the home is suitable for safe and comfortable habitation.

“A habitability certificate certifies that a home is habitable according to the regulations that apply to it”

How to apply for a certificate of occupancy?

To apply for a certificate of occupancy in Barcelona, ​​an architect must conduct an inspection of the home and prepare a certificate confirming that all habitability requirements are met. The Barcelona certificate of occupancy must be registered with the competent regional administration for its issuance.

In Catalonia, the specific requirements are regulated by Decree 141/2012, of October 30, which establishes the minimum habitability conditions. Additionally, depending on the age of the home, it may be necessary to comply with historical habitability decrees.

What are the requirements?

The requirements for the Catalan occupancy certificate are specific and established by Decree 141/2012. The home must have certain features such as adequate ventilation, access to drinking water, electricity, and gas, among others. If the home was built before this decree, it must be verified that it complies with the regulations applicable at the time of its construction. Knowing these requirements is crucial to ensure that the home can obtain the Barcelona occupancy certificate.

Renewing the Certificate of Occupancy in Barcelona

In Barcelona, ​​renewing the certificate of occupancy in Barcelona is required if the property has been in use for more than 15 years. The renewal process follows a similar procedure to the initial application: an inspection of the property is conducted to ensure it continues to meet the habitability requirements.

The renewed certificate of occupancy in Barcelona is valid for another 15 years. This procedure is important to ensure that the property maintains its habitability in accordance with current regulations.

What to do if the certificate of occupancy is not granted?

If the Barcelona occupancy certificate is denied, the owner must correct the deficiencies found during the inspection. To do so, the necessary renovations can be made, and once the occupancy requirements have been met, the application can be resubmitted. It is advisable to have a professional advise on the necessary repairs to comply with the regulations.

What to do if the certificate of occupancy is not granted?

To obtain a certificate of occupancy in Barcelona, ​​a technical inspection of the property must first be carried out by a qualified architect. Once reviewed, a report is prepared certifying that the property meets the habitability requirements established by current legislation. The next step is to register this report with the Catalan regional government, which is responsible for issuing the document. After completing the process, the Barcelona certificate of occupancy will be emailed to the owner within approximately a month and a half, provided the application has been approved.

The certificate of occupancy in Barcelona must be requested from the competent authority of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Once the architect has conducted the inspection and prepared the habitability report, it must be submitted to the corresponding agency for processing. In most cases, the application can be submitted online through the Generalitat’s portal, which speeds up the process.

Clients who apply for a certificate of occupancy in Barcelona will receive a certificate signed by an architect, certifying that the home meets the legal requirements for habitability. Once the inspection is completed, the architect will submit the receipt to the Generalitat (Generalitat) (Catalan Government). The final document, the Barcelona certificate of occupancy, will be sent by email within approximately a month and a half, provided all requirements are met and the application is approved.

Once the application for a Barcelona occupancy certificate has been submitted with all the required documentation, the Generalitat (Generalitat) has 30 business days to notify the applicant of its approval or denial. If approved, the occupancy certificate will be emailed to the applicant within approximately a month and a half. It is advisable to take this waiting period into account when planning the purchase, sale, or rental of a property.

Yes, the renewal of the Barcelona occupancy certificate is mandatory every 15 years. Although an immediate inspection is not required, if the property has been in use for a long period of time, a new inspection is necessary to ensure it continues to meet the habitability requirements. If deficiencies are detected in the property, the owner must make the necessary repairs before applying for renewal.