The document certifying that a home is habitable. Essential to sell or rent in Catalonia.
Buying & selling · Updated October 2026 · 4 min read
The habitability certificate is the document certifying that a home meets the minimum conditions to be lived in. In Catalonia it is a key requirement in many transactions.
It has a limited validity (usually 15 or 25 years depending on its age). It is issued by a qualified technician after inspecting the home and is processed with the Generalitat.
A home can only be sold without a certificate in specific cases and with the buyer's express waiver, which can cause problems. As a buyer, demand it; as a seller, have it ready before signing the earnest money contract.
It is part of the documentation we review in any purchase and rental agreement.
Only in specific cases and with the buyer's duly informed express waiver. The usual and advisable practice is to have a valid certificate before selling.
Its validity is usually 15 or 25 years depending on the age of the home. It is advisable to check it is in force before the transaction.
Yes. In Catalonia a valid certificate is required to transfer or rent a home, with some exceptions. The notary usually requires it at signing.
Utilities cannot be connected and, as a rule, the sale cannot be completed. You will have to apply for it and, if the home does not meet the conditions, carry out works first.
The owner applies through a technician who issues the certificate; the cost is low. When selling, the seller usually covers it.
We review the documentation of your purchase or rental so nothing is missing.
