Is the certificate of occupancy necessary to sell a property in Dénia?

Certificate of occupancy?

If you are thinking of selling, you may have doubts about the documentation of the property.

Today we are going to clarify concepts such as certificate of habitability, declaration of responsibility for first occupation or declaration of responsibility for second occupation. Although they are related, we should not confuse them.

Certificate of occupancy: is an old document that can still be found in some homes. It accredited that the house met the necessary conditions to be inhabited and in the Valencian Community it ceased to be issued in 2004. Despite this, today this term is still used colloquially in the real estate sector. Responsible declaration of first occupation: is the procedure currently used to prove the first occupation of a home once its construction has been completed, confirming that it meets the necessary conditions to be used as such. Responsible declaration of second occupation: When ten years have elapsed since the first occupation license, it is necessary to update this documentation when a new transfer of the home takes place. In Dénia, this procedure is carried out by means of a responsible declaration of second occupation.

How is it checked?

To process this declaration, a competent technician must verify that the property maintains the necessary conditions of habitability and issue the corresponding certificate. These professionals are architects, technical architects or quantity surveyors.

In the verification, aspects such as the surface and distribution of the house, ventilation and lighting, installations, safety conditions, water supply and wastewater evacuation are reviewed.

How long does it last?

The declaration of responsibility for second occupation is valid for ten years.

Therefore, it will only be necessary to update it when there is a new transfer after that period has elapsed, we want to register a new supply or we want to use the property for rent.

Is it mandatory to have it to sell?

It is not necessary to present it if the parties agree to it. In this case, this circumstance must be reflected in the deed and the parties can agree who will be responsible for requesting it and assume its cost if necessary.

However, it is an essential document if we are going to register a new supply or use the property for rent, so it always makes it easier to anticipate and have this documentation.

Who must process and pay it?

If there is no prior agreement between the parties, it is the seller's responsibility to process it and bear the cost of the technician and the corresponding fees.

Conclusion

Before selling a property, it is important to check that the occupancy documentation is in order. Knowing in advance the situation of the property, the necessary procedures and its cost will allow us to avoid delays and unexpected expenses when a buyer appears.

If you are thinking of selling a property in Dénia and want to know what documentation should be reviewed before putting it on the market, you can discuss it with me with total peace of mind.