Request the Cédula de Habitabilidad (Cataluña/Baleares) to rent or set up utilities

What you need

1. Check that your autonomous community uses the cédula de habitabilidad. If you’re in Cataluña or Baleares, yes. In other CCAA you’ll need a municipal licencia de ocupación (different procedure).
2. Know the type of cédula: primera ocupación (new build or major rehab) or segunda ocupación (used dwelling).
3. Make sure the property meets the minimums: usable areas, ventilation, wet rooms, installations. If it doesn’t, the technician won’t sign and you’ll waste time.

Documentation

1. Identification: DNI/NIE of the holder or a signed authorization if a representative acts for you.
2. Title of ownership: escritura, nota simple reciente or contrato de compraventa.
3. Referencia catastral (https://www.sedecatastro.gob.es) and exact address.
4. Certificado técnico de habitabilidad/idoneidad signed by an arquitecto/a or aparejador/a (with collegiate registration). For new build: certificado final de obra.
5. Plans/sketches with usable areas and layout (provided by the technician).
6. Photos of key rooms (kitchen, bathroom, façade) if requested by the office.
7. Proof of payment of the fee (tasa) for your autonomous/insular office.

Step by step

1. Hire the technician: get 2–3 quotes. Book the visit. If there are defects (e.g., insufficient ventilation or rooms below minimum dimensions), fix them before the technician signs.
2. Get the certificate: the technician will give you a digitally signed PDF with surfaces and compliance details per regional rules.
3. Cataluña: go to https://habitatge.gencat.cat/es, search "Cédula de habitabilidad" and click tramitar (primera/segunda ocupación). Log in with certificado digital/DNIe or Cl@ve, fill in the property data, upload the certificado técnico and the rest of the documents.
4. Baleares: go to https://www.caib.es/sites/habitatic/es/cedulas_de_habitabilidad-44630/ and click Tramitar. Log in with certificado/Cl@ve, choose alta or renovación, complete the form and attach the certificado técnico.
5. Pay the fee: the system generates an autoliquidación/receipt. Pay online by card or via your bank if available. Upload the payment receipt if requested.
6. Inspection (if applicable): some islands or municipalities will cite you. Make the property accessible and have the fixes done.
7. Resolution and download: you’ll get a notice in the sede. Enter your expediente and download the cédula in PDF with its number and validity. Keep a copy and upload it where needed (rental contract, utilities).

Expert tips

1. Don’t wait until you have a tenant: if something’s missing, utilities activation drags and the tenant may back out.
2. Use PDF/A and lean files: upload documents in PDF/A and keep sizes small. Many sedes choke on large or oddly signed files.
3. Cl@ve or certificado up to date: check your Cl@ve or FNMT/DNIe before starting. The digital login is often the slow part online.
4. Ask for a reusable technical certificate: if you’ll need a renewal soon or they reject it for a small fix, have the technician available to correct without charging for a full new visit.
5. Check existing validity: if a cédula still has validity left you may avoid rushing. If it’s near expiry, submit the renewal with margin.

Common mistakes

1. Requesting a cédula where it doesn’t exist: many CCAA don’t use the cédula. You’ll need a municipal occupancy license instead.
2. Uploading incomplete documents: missing the certificado técnico or the collegiate registration. You’ll be required to fix it and lose weeks.
3. Forgetting to pay the fee: the expediente won’t move without payment. Make sure the receipt is attached correctly.
4. Thinking a visit isn’t needed: for segunda ocupación a technician visit is mandatory for a valid certificate.
5. Leaving moving/rental dates too tight: between the technician, the fee and potential inspection you can easily hit 2–3 weeks if anything goes wrong. Plan ahead.