The Government has announced a new regulation that will affect all property owners who wish to rent or sell their homes in the national territory. Starting next month, it will be mandatory for all properties to have an updated energy efficiency certificate in order to be included in the real estate market.
This measure, whose main objective is to promote sustainability and transparency in the sector, has generated a series of reactions among both property owners and companies in the industry. According to the regulation, the certificate must be issued by an authorized technician and will be valid for ten years. Those homes that already have such a certificate must ensure that it is within the validity period.
The Ministry of Housing has explained that the energy efficiency certificate will evaluate various aspects of the property, such as energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and the quality of thermal insulation. The results will be reflected in a seven-letter scale, ranging from ‘A’ for the most efficient homes, to ‘G’ for the least efficient. This information must be included in all promotions and advertisements related to the sale or rental of the property.
Real estate agencies see this measure as an opportunity to offer an added service to their clients, although they also anticipate that there could be a slight increase in initial costs for those who want to put their home on the market. “While the cost of obtaining the certificate may be an initial obstacle, in the long term owners will be able to more easily attract buyers or tenants interested in energy-efficient properties,” mentioned Javier Martínez, manager of a well-known real estate agency in the capital.
On the other hand, some owners express their concerns about the rush to adapt to the new regulation, especially those with older properties. “Our building is over 50 years old, and although we have made improvements, we are not sure if it will meet all the efficiency requirements,” said Laura Gómez, owner of an apartment in the old town of Madrid.
The Government has emphasized the importance of this measure in combating climate change and improving the quality of life of citizens. “We want consumers to be informed and able to make more responsible and conscious decisions. It is a necessary step towards a more sustainable future,” declared the Minister of Housing, Carlos López.
Furthermore, to facilitate the transition, subsidies and grants have been implemented for the energy rehabilitation of homes. These grants can be requested by both individual property owners and communities of neighbors who wish to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, covering part of the cost of the works.
With the entry into force of this regulation, Spain joins other European countries that have already implemented similar regulations, reinforcing its commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
