Your questions: Do I need an Energy Certificate when buying from a bank?

Q: I am about to buy an apartment from a bank. Should I ask for an Energy Certificate? And do I need one to sell or rent it?

A: An Energy Certificate (Certificado Energético) is obligatory to all proprietors and therefore, also to financial entities, including Sareb ('The bad bank') and all official agencies wanting to sell or rent a property. The Certificate must be presented when completion at the Notary is signed or at the time of signatures for a rental contract. Also, the property must have its current Energy Certificate when it is advertised for sale or rental, including//on estate agents’ website and other advertising.

The law that sanctions its absence is the Ley de Rehabilitación, Regeneración y Renovación Urbana (Law of Urban Rehabilitation, Regeneration and renovation) and any person, persons, group of persons or community of ownership in whose name the property is registered will be considered liable to any fines or sanctions if the property is sold or rented without said certificate.

Where and how do I get a certificate?

The energy performance certificate is a report that describes how efficient a home is in terms of energy consumption. It assigns an energy rating to each home on a scale which ranges from "A" (the most efficient) to "G" (the least efficient).

Usually, an estate agent can recommend a qualified assessor, or ask at your town hall for someone who can issue a Certificado Energético. This person will visit your home to rate it. The certificate is valid for ten years unless renovation or changes to the property are carried out. The assessor will advise on what to do in this case, and so will the town hall. Average price of an ECP in the South of Spain is around the €300 mark.

(Original source: idealista.com)