Habitability license

A client asked us this morning on habitability license:

Dear xxxxxxxx:

Habitability license is a document which officially confirms that a house a premise or any other building that will lodge people, have minimum conditions of size, hygiene and adequate instalations for its aim.

Water, sewage system, electricity, gas and phone cannot he hired if the building, house or premise do not have an in-force  habitation license.

Actually, it is the document which really comfirms the house is legal ( it has been built or reformed according to the project the Local Council approved). This info is not always contained in Notary/ Land Registry records. For instance, it si possible a Bank will not lend money with that property as a mortagge guarantee if there is no Habitability License.

It is a must in our Law Firm for full safety of the client

Hope this helps

María

1) How does one obtain a copy of the Habitability Licence for an older property, Maria? For example, an apartment built in 1970? Since this is apparently required now in order to register a property for tourist lets, it would be good to know how to get this.

2) "...it is the document which really comfirms the house is legal ( it has been built or reformed according to the project the Local Council approved)" - in light of all the illegal building scandals, and all the local mayors involved in illegal activities, does this so-called "licence" really have any value today?

Answering your questions Roberto below in bold green:

1) How does one obtain a copy of the Habitability Licence for an older property, Maria? For example, an apartment built in 1970? Since this is apparently required now in order to register a property for tourist lets, it would be good to know how to get this. Every Council has its own rules so best procedure ahead is to ask at the Planning department. Better with the help of a lawyer/solicitor. As you well say, in Andalucia, for the obtention of the Tourist license, you need to have the Habitability license.

2) "...it is the document which really comfirms the house is legal ( it has been built or reformed according to the project the Local Council approved)" - in light of all the illegal building scandals, and all the local mayors involved in illegal activities, does this so-called "licence" really have any value today? Yes, they do, unless their validity is being challenged legally or judicially.