Buying on the Costa Brava from abroad: where to start
NIE, bank account, lawyer and notary: the order of the steps when you buy a house in Spain without living here.
ReadWhat a house’s energy certificate tells you
What the letter from A to G means, who issues it and why you will see it on every listing.
On every listing of a house for sale or to rent you will see a letter from A to G. It is the rating of the energy certificate (certificado energético).
What it measures
The certificate estimates how much energy the house needs for heating, cooling and hot water, and the emissions that come with it. A is the most efficient and G the least.
Who issues it
A qualified technician signs it after visiting the house. The owner must have it before advertising the house, and the buyer or tenant receives it with the contract.
How to read it
An old stone house can have a low letter and still be lovely to live in; a recent villa usually has a high one. The letter is a starting point to talk about insulation, windows or solar panels.
