Who holds and pays each utility contract as a tenant or owner

Terms used

• CEE — The CEE is the energy performance certificate, which rates how efficient the home is and which the owner must hold when letting.
• Cédula de habitabilidad — The cédula de habitabilidad is a certificate that the home meets minimum living standards, required in some regions.
• Boletín — The boletín (also called CIE) is the certificate showing the home's electrical installation is safe and legal.
• IBI — The IBI is the yearly municipal property tax on a home.

Key rules

• Supply contracts: You usually put electricity, gas and water in your name and pay your own consumption.
• Supply fees: Your landlord cannot charge you a fee for the supplies.
• Community fees and IBI: The owner pays them unless the lease passes them to you in writing with the amount.
• Owner's certificates: The owner keeps the required certificates and gas inspections up to date.

Who puts the supplies in their name

As a tenant, you normally take the supplies into your name and pay what you use. No rule forces you to do this, but it is the usual practice, and the lease can say so. Check the contract before you sign.

Your landlord must not charge you a fee for the supplies, including for putting them in your name. If someone asks for one, say no and ask for the clause in writing.

What the owner keeps responsible for

The owner delivers the home in a habitable condition and does the repairs needed to keep it fit for use. The exception is damage you caused.

The owner also keeps the paperwork for the home:

• A valid energy performance certificate (CEE) whenever the home is let.
• The habitability certificate (cédula de habitabilidad), where your region requires it.
• The electrical installation certificate (boletín or CIE), where it is needed for the electricity supply.
• Periodic inspections of any gas installation.

Requirements differ by region. If the electricity or gas company asks you for a certificate when you open an account, ask the owner for it. The documents list below shows what to look for.

Community fees and IBI

Community fees (the building's shared costs) and IBI (the yearly property tax) fall on the owner. They only pass to you if the lease says so and states the amount. If the contract is silent, you do not pay them.

What the lease can change

The lease sets the final split. Read it for:

• Who pays community fees and IBI, and how much.
• Whether the supplies must be in your name.
• Anything that shifts other costs to you.

Tourist and seasonal lets work differently, so this page applies to ordinary residential leases.

Documents you need

• Energy performance certificate (CEE): the owner must hold a valid one when letting the home.

• Habitability certificate (cédula de habitabilidad): the owner must hold it where the region requires it.

• Electrical installation certificate (boletín or CIE): needed for the electricity supply where required.

• Gas installation inspection record: gas installations need periodic inspections.

• Rental contract: it should say who pays community fees and IBI, and the amount, if these pass to the tenant.

Frequently asked questions

Can a landlord charge me a fee for putting the supplies in my name?

No, a landlord must not charge you fees for the supplies. You pay your own consumption once the contracts are in your name. If a landlord asks for a fee, ask for it in writing and check the lease.

Who pays community fees and the IBI property tax in a rental?

The owner pays community fees and the IBI, the yearly property tax, unless the lease passes them to you. To shift them to the tenant, the lease must say so in writing and state the amount. Without that clause, the landlord keeps paying.

Which certificates must the owner have before letting a home?

The owner needs a valid energy performance certificate when letting. Where your region requires them, the owner also needs the cédula de habitabilidad (habitability certificate) and the electrical installation certificate. Ask the landlord to show them before you sign.