What is the certificate of age of dwelling in Barcelona?

The certificate of age of dwelling is an essential document when you need to carry out unregistered renovation or construction work in Barcelona. It provides legal security for your property and has become essential for various procedures such as mortgages, sales, inheritances and others.

Want to learn more? Discover everything you need to know to get it and make the most of it!

What is the purpose of a certificate of age of a property?

A certificate of age is a technical document issued by an accredited quantity surveyor or architect. Its main function is to accredit or certify the date of completion of a reform or construction, specifying its characteristics in detail.

It holds significant legal value, as it can be used to regularize buildings that are not registered or do not fully comply with current regulations, offering greater legal security to the property.

Procedures for which it may be mandatory

The certificate of age of dwelling is essential for several procedures. Among the most important are :

• The sale of real estate, especially that which has undergone a reform that has not been legalized
• The regularization of unauthorized extensions or constructions.
• Mortgage or financing applications.
• Inheritances.
• Changes of use.
• Modification or entry in the land register.

Legal security and practical benefits

Do you want to ensure the legal security of your property? Then obtaining a certificate is essential. But don’t forget that there are other practical advantages too:

• Documentary security.
• This will help you avoid legal problems such as penalties and litigation in the future.
• The value of your property will increase, as you’ll be able to offer a high level of confidence to any buyer.

What is a certificate of age of dwelling?

As mentioned above, this is an official, technical document. Its main function is to legally accredit the date of completion of a construction or renovation project.

Its purpose is to facilitate the registration or regularization of a property, by providing legal certainty and describing its characteristics.

What does the certificate contain?

Among the main data to be found in a certificate of age of the property are :

• The year or date of construction of the property.
• Property identification or cadastral references.
• Details of surface area.
• Specific description of all features related to structure, materials and typology, among others.
• Current state of preservation.
• Anything that substantiates or justifies its age.
• Plans.
• Declaration attesting that there is no prescription or procedure related to the urban planning discipline.

Who can legally issue it?

Only licensed professionals, such as architects. Alternatively, a technician, also known as a building engineer or quantity surveyor. Both have the relevant and appropriate skills to issue this certificate.

How to obtain the certificate step by step?

To obtain a certificate of age for a property, you need to follow a technical process. The first part involves contacting an architect, who must collect proof of age, verify the condition or physical reality of the property and take all kinds of measurements.

Once the professional has the relevant information, he or she can draw up the certificate, which will include proof of age and plans.

Finally, once the examination has been completed, the document is signed and stamped where appropriate. It can then be used for any legal formalities that may be required, such as registration in the land register or notarization of a new building.

Documents required

• Title deeds to the property.
• Owner’s DNI; if there is more than one owner, all must provide this document.
• IBI receipts (most recent).
• Simple notes issued by the land registry.
• Cadastral consultation.
• Old photographs of the property.
• Old sketches or plans.
• Any type of document attesting or proving the existence of the complete construction at a given date; these may include contracts, utility or supply receipts, among others.

Estimated prices and timescales

• Average costs in Barcelona are between 200 and 600 euros for a standard house.
• The whole process, from the visit to the issue of the certificate, can take between 2 and 7 working days.
• It is important to bear in mind that on both these points, prices and estimated times may vary. The above is based on the characteristics of the property and what the professional has found/determined during the technical visit.

Can I do it online?

Yes, it’s possible to do it online when sufficient digital documentation is available. In fact, most of the process can be managed this way; we’re referring to the communication and sending and/or receiving of the relevant documents.

However, the technician’s visit is mandatory and unavoidable, as without it, it would be impossible to proceed with data collection and regulatory inspection.

How can I prove the age of a building if I don’t have a certificate?

It is possible to justify/demonstrate the age of a building or property without an official certificate. However, you should bear the following in mind: the alternative proofs or documents we are going to mention will serve as evidence, but they will not replace the certificate of age of the property when it comes to carrying out the legal procedures that require it.

Let’s get down to business:

• Cadastral history or graphic and descriptive cadastral certifications.
• Old title deeds, such as declaration or certificate of new construction, purchase, inheritance or similar document.
• Property tax receipts.
• Historical orthophotos or aerial photographs.
• Town hall files, whether urban planning, licensing or planning documents.

Differences from other common certificates

To avoid confusion in the real estate sector, it’s essential to differentiate between the certificate of occupancy, the habitability certificate and the energy certificate. Here’s a brief summary of each so that you’re clear about the differences:

• The Certificate of Habitality is a certificate attesting that a dwelling meets all the necessary conditions for habitation. It is an essential element when you wish to rent or sell a property, and even when you contract services or supplies.
• The energy efficiency certificate assesses a property’s energy consumption. It is also mandatory when renting or selling a property, in order to provide accurate information to the buyer.
• Finally, as we have explained, the purpose of the certificate of age of dwelling is to legalize reforms or findings that have not been registered. It certifies their characteristics and the date on which they were carried out.

What happens if you don’t have it and you need it?

Some of the main consequences you may face if you need a certificate of age for your home and don’t have it include :

• Blockage of important procedures, such as registration in the land register, notarization of a new building and even obtaining a mortgage.
• Planning penalties and fines.
• Possibility of demolition orders if construction is not prescribed.
• Cancellation or delay of sales processes.
• Difficulties in managing inheritances.
• Reduced legal certainty and property value.

Where can I find a reliable technician in Barcelona?

At this point, you already know that to obtain your certificate of age of dwelling, you need to contact a registered architect or technical architect. Don’t have one you can trust? At Loca Barcelona, we offer you a wide network of reliable professionals with proven local experience.

What’s more, we can provide you with comprehensive assistance and personalized advice. We’ll guide you through the entire process so that you can legalize your property without any complications.

Your plans shouldn’t be left to chance, and we’re the safest option on the market. Contact us whenever you like and ensure the legality and peace of mind of your investment with the best. We look forward to hearing from you!