Every property that goes on the market in Spain, for sale or for rent, requires a valid energy performance certificate. This applies across the Axarquía without exception, from a village apartment in Cómpeta to a rural finca in the hills above Sayalonga. The certificate is a legal requirement, and a property cannot be listed without one.
We arrange energy certificates in Cómpeta and throughout the Axarquía through qualified local technicians. The process is clear and well-organised, the rates are competitive, and the certificate remains legally valid for ten years.
What is an energy performance certificate in Spain?
An energy performance certificate, known in Spain as a certificado de eficiencia energética, assesses how energy-efficient a property is. The certificate rates the property on a scale from A to G, where A represents the highest efficiency and G the lowest. Most older properties in the Axarquía, including traditional village houses and rural fincas, fall in the lower bands, which is entirely normal and does not prevent a sale or rental.
The certificate covers the property’s heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows and general construction. A qualified technician visits the property, carries out the assessment, and issues the official certificate, which is then registered with the regional authority in Andalucía.
When do you need an energy certificate in Spain?
The obligation applies in two situations: when selling a property and when renting a property. In both cases, the energy certificate must be in place before the property can be advertised. Estate agents are required to include the energy rating in any listing, and the full certificate must be provided to the buyer or tenant at the point of signing.
For holiday rentals in the Axarquía, the energy certificate is also required as part of the tourist rental licence application. Owners who plan to let their property through platforms such as Airbnb or through a local agent need the certificate in place before applying for the licence.
Certificates are valid for ten years from the date of issue. If you purchased your property more than a decade ago and have not updated the certificate, a new assessment will be needed before you can sell or let.
Energy certificates for properties in Cómpeta and the Axarquía
Older properties in the Axarquía have specific characteristics that affect their energy rating. Thick stone walls, small windows and traditional construction methods often perform better than expected on insulation, while older heating systems and single-glazed windows can bring the rating down. The technicians we work with know the local building stock well and carry out assessments efficiently.
We coordinate the full process on your behalf. You do not need to find a technician independently, navigate the registration process with the Junta de Andalucía, or manage the paperwork. We arrange the visit, confirm the appointment with you, and ensure the certificate is correctly registered and ready for use.
What the energy certificate means for buyers and sellers
For sellers, having a valid energy certificate in place before listing speeds up the process and avoids delays at the point of sale. Buyers are entitled to see the certificate as part of their due diligence, and a missing or expired certificate can hold up a transaction.
For buyers, the energy rating gives a useful indication of likely utility costs and any efficiency improvements worth considering after purchase. A property rated E or F is not necessarily a poor investment, but it does suggest that insulation upgrades or a new heating system could make a meaningful difference to running costs over time.
More from SF Properties
Our services cover everything a property owner in the Axarquía might need after purchase. For garden and pool care, visit our garden and pool maintenance page. For full property oversight including key holding and rental coordination, see our property management page. For building and renovation works, visit our renovations page. For legal support when buying or selling, see our legal advice page. Buying a property in the Axarquía? Our buying guide covers the full purchase process.