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Management and processing of the certificate of occupancy in Barcelona

Do you need to obtain the certificate of occupancy to rent out a property? At Loca Barcelona, we take care of applying for and managing your certificate of occupancy for you.

We handle all the paperwork so you can get your certificate without worrying about any of the admin. Save time and hassle with our help.

Find out about the certificate of occupancy



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    What is the certificate of occupancy?

    The certificate of occupancy in Spain is an administrative document that certifies that a dwelling meets the minimum habitability conditions required by current regulations, guaranteeing that the property is suitable to be occupied as a residence. Its main purpose is to protect the health, safety and well-being of the people who live there.

    This certificate confirms that the home meets the basic requirements in terms of size, ventilation, natural light, health conditions, equipment and the provision of essential services. The certificate is mandatory for renting, selling or activating utilities in a dwelling, as well as for obtaining certain licences or public subsidies.

    Responsibility for issuing it lies with the autonomous communities, so the requirements and procedures may vary slightly between regions. Catalonia has its own specific regulations. In general, it is requested through an authorised professional (architect or technical architect) who inspects the dwelling and issues a habitability report, which is then registered with the regional authorities.

    What do I need to do to obtain the certificate of occupancy?

    To obtain the certificate of occupancy in Catalonia, you must contact a registered architect, technical architect or quantity surveyor. The professional will inspect the dwelling and verify that it meets the minimum requirements set out in Decree 141/2012 (usable floor area, ventilation, height, installations, etc.). After the visit, they will issue the digitally signed habitability certificate.

    You must then submit the application to the Generalitat. You can complete this process online through its housing website, or in person at the Generalitat’s housing offices or at local town halls.

    For this procedure, you must attach the technical certificate and the applicant’s ID (NIF), as well as proof of payment of the corresponding fee.

    In general, the administration takes around 30 working days to issue the certificate of occupancy in PDF format. This document is valid for 15 years and can be renewed once it expires.

    Types of certificate of occupancy

    First-occupation certificate of occupancy

    This applies to newly built homes or fully refurbished dwellings. The document is requested by the developer or owner and must be accompanied by the final completion certificate.

    Second-occupation certificate of occupancy

    This is the most common type. It applies to used or older homes that have already been occupied. With this certificate, the property can be sold, rented out or connected to utilities. It is issued by a professional, provided that the basic requirements are met.

    First-occupation certificate of occupancy following refurbishment

    This applies to existing dwellings that have been renovated or refurbished but are not new builds.

    Get your certificate

    Why is it so important to obtain the certificate of occupancy?

    The certificate of occupancy is very important because it guarantees that the dwelling is safe and healthy, and it authorises private owners and estate agencies to sell or rent out the property. It therefore protects the rights of both owners and tenants and helps to avoid fines or legal liabilities.

    It also allows you to contract basic utilities such as water, electricity and gas. Request your certificate of occupancy with Loca Barcelona and save yourself all the time and stress of paperwork and bureaucracy.

    Get your certificate of occupancy with Loca Barcelona and save time and money.

    Get your certificate

    Management of real estate procedures in Barcelona

    At Loca Barcelona, we offer processing, management, and completion of various procedures related to your real estate property.

    Certificate of occupancy

    cédula de habitabilidad

    This document is necessary to rent or sell your home, register for utilities such as water, electricity or gas, or apply for a mortgage.

    Digital single window

    Registro y Tramitación en la Ventanilla Única Digital

    The digital single window centralises the registration of short-term rental properties.

    Energy efficiency certificate

    Certificado de Eficiencia Energética en Barcelona

    This certificate contains information on the energy characteristics of the property, mainly CO2 and energy consumption.

    Obtain your Certificate of Occupancy with Loca Barcelona and save time and money



      I accept that my data will be processed to attend to the information request.
      I have read and accept the privacy policy of Loca Barcelona SL.