Utilities after buying a home: contracts and certificates to change

Terms used

• Cambio de titular — The cambio de titular is the procedure that moves a supply contract into a new holder's name.
• CUPS — The CUPS is the code that identifies your electricity or gas supply point. It is on the previous bill.
• Escritura — The escritura is the deed of sale, signed before a notary, that proves you own the home.
• Alta — The alta is a new supply connection and contract, needed when no previous contract exists.
• CIE — The CIE is the certificate confirming the home's electrical installation meets the rules.
• IBI — The IBI is the yearly local property tax, paid to the town hall.
• Cédula de habitabilidad — The cédula de habitabilidad is a certificate that the home meets minimum standards for living in.
• Nota simple — The nota simple is a Property Registry extract showing the owner, mortgages and charges on a home.

Key rules

• Change of holder: Every supply must be moved into your name; taking over the seller's contract does not do it automatically.
• Community debts: You can be liable for the current and previous year's unpaid community fees, so get a debt certificate before signing.
• Seller's bills: The seller should pay all supply bills before the change of holder.
• Regional certificates: Which certificates are compulsory depends on your region.

What you need to do after completion

Every supply moves into your name through a change of holder (cambio de titular) with each supplier. Do it for electricity, gas if the home has it, and water. Do it for internet and phone too, if you keep them.

For electricity and gas, the change is normally free of charge from the distributor and does not cut your supply. Documents vary by supplier and region. Expect to give your ID, the CUPS, the deed (escritura) or other proof of ownership, and your bank details. The documents list below shows these.

If the home is a new build

A new build needs a new alta, a fresh supply contract, rather than a simple change of holder. You will need the electrical installation certificate (CIE) and the licence of first occupation.

If you take over an existing contract

Even if you take over the seller's contract, you still need the change of holder. The contract does not become yours automatically.

Community fee and property tax

Tell the community administrator that you are the new owner, so the community fee (comunidad) is billed to you. Tell the town hall too, and move the IBI payment to your bank account by direct debit.

Check certificates before you sign

Ask for these before signing, and confirm them again at completion:

• The energy efficiency certificate (CEE). The seller must provide it. It lasts 10 years.
• The electrical certificate or a recent electrical inspection, where your region requires one.
• The cédula de habitabilidad, where your region requires it. Examples are Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearics.
• The gas inspection certificate, if the home has gas. The periodic inspection is usually every 5 years.

Which certificates are compulsory depends on the region, so ask your notary or lawyer which apply where you are buying.

Check debts before you sign

Debts can follow the home, so check them first.

• Community debts: ask the administrator for a debt certificate. The president approves it. You can be liable for the current year's and the previous year's unpaid fees.
• IBI: this tax follows the property, so collect the receipts and check they are paid.
• Mortgages and charges: a nota simple from the Property Registry shows them.
• Supply bills: the seller should pay all of them before the change of holder.

Use the checklist below to keep track, and the FAQ for common questions.

Documents you need

• Your ID, to change each supply into your name.

• The CUPS, the code that identifies the electricity or gas supply point. It is on the previous bill.

• The deed (escritura) or other proof of ownership of the home.

• Your bank details, for the new contracts and direct debits.

• The energy efficiency certificate (CEE), which the seller must provide. It is valid for 10 years.

• The electrical installation certificate (CIE) or a recent electrical inspection, where your region requires one. It is also needed for a new alta in a new build.

• The cédula de habitabilidad (habitability certificate), where your region requires it, for example Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearics.

• The gas installation inspection certificate, from the periodic inspection, usually every 5 years.

• A community debt certificate, signed by the administrator with the president's approval.

• The latest IBI (property tax) receipts.

• A nota simple from the Property Registry, showing mortgages and charges.

Checklist

• Ask the seller for the energy efficiency certificate before you sign.

• Request a community debt certificate from the administrator before signing, and confirm it again at completion.

• Collect the IBI receipts and ask for a nota simple to see any mortgages or charges.

• Make sure the seller pays all supply bills before the change of holder.

• Change electricity, gas and water into your name with each supplier, using your ID, the CUPS, the deed and your bank details.

• Move your internet and phone contracts into your name if you keep them.

• Ask for a new alta with the certificates if the home is a new build.

• Update your details with the community administrator and move the IBI direct debit to your bank account at the town hall.

Frequently asked questions

Which debts can I be liable for when I buy a flat in a community?

You can be liable for the community fees of the current year and the previous year. Ask the administrator for a community debt certificate, signed with the president's approval, before you sign. The IBI property tax also follows the property, so ask for the receipts.

How long is an energy efficiency certificate valid?

An energy efficiency certificate (CEE) is valid for 10 years. The seller must provide it, so ask for it before signing.

Which certificates depend on the region where I buy?

The cédula de habitabilidad (habitability certificate) is required in some regions, for example Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearics. A recent electrical inspection or CIE may also be required where the region asks for it. Ask the seller or the regional housing office which apply.