No. Andalusia does not have the habitation certificate (cédula de habitabilidad) that other Spanish regions require. Its role is filled by the occupancy licence (licencia de ocupación) or, in most cases, the responsible declaration (declaración responsable) of occupancy, which is filed at the town hall with a technical certificate (article 138 of Andalusia's planning act, the LISTA). It is the document that electricity and water companies usually ask for, and it is worth having when you sell or let.
When a responsible declaration is enough
Article 138 of the LISTA makes the following subject to a responsible declaration:
- The occupation or use of finished buildings that have a building licence (licencia de obra) or a responsible declaration for the works, when they match it.
- The occupation of existing buildings on urban land that comply with the planning rules and have not had any works.
When it is not enough
If the house was built without a licence or does not match it, it has to be regularised first: legalisation if it complies with the local plan (PGOU), or an AFO (asimilado a fuera de ordenación) declaration if the time limit for acting against it has passed. Without that step the occupancy declaration cannot be filed.
What you need
- The original building licence or the title deed.
- The cadastral reference.
- A technical certificate stating that the house is finished and meets the conditions.
At Poniente Arquitectura we prepare it from €450 + VAT in one to two weeks.
Frequently asked questions
I've been asked for the cédula to get the electricity connected. What do I hand in?
The responsible declaration of occupancy filed at the town hall, or the occupancy licence if your home has one.
Does it expire?
It does not expire the way an energy performance certificate (EPC) does, but if you carry out major works you may need a new one.
Sources
This guide is for information; every case needs a check of the local rules.