The IEE (Informe de Evaluación de Edificios) is the official report ofthe “building inspection agency”in Spain—and thus also in the Balearic Islands—which certifies the technical condition and safety of older properties. It replaced the former ITE ( Inspección Técnica de Edificios) in 2015. Unlike its predecessor, however, the IEE is not limited to structural integrity and building condition, but also covers accessibility and energy efficiency.

What is being tested?

A licensed architect or civil engineer inspects the building based on the following key points:

1. Condition of the building structure ( Conservación): structural integrity, facades, roofs, and all other structural elements that could pose a danger to people.
2. Accessibility : The suitability of access for people with disabilities or limited mobility.
3. Energy Performance Certificate ( Certificación energética): An assessment of the building's energy efficiency (on a scale from A to G). The energy certificate must always be presented when selling or renting a property.
4. The fourth component of the IEE includes a site plan of the property on a scale of 1:1000 in DIN A4 format, showing the size of the lot and the inspected structures. Color photographs of the building in question must be attached to this plan. If any defects are found, they must also be documented photographically.

Who needs the IEE, and when?

• When? In general, the IEE is required for buildings older than 50 years. However, there are regional and municipal exceptions that lower the minimum age.
  The regulation in the Balearic Islands (Mallorca): Balearic building law (Ley 12/2017 de Urbanismo) stipulates that an assessment is mandatory for the first phase (the inspection of the building’s structural condition and stability) starting at 30 years of age.
• Who? The responsibility lies with the owners or the homeowners' association (comunidad de propietarios).
• Validity? A positive report is generally valid for 10 years.

What happens if there are errors or if a report is missing?

• Defects: If damage is discovered, it must be repaired within a specified period (usually up to 6 months), depending on the severity.
• Penalties: Failure to submit a report that is due is considered an administrative offense or an urban planning violation and may be punishable by fines ranging from 600 to 3,000 euros.

The Regulation in Detail

• Buildings 30 years old or older
  • Regional/Local Requirement (e.g., Madrid, Balearic Islands)
  • Scope: Structural condition (load-bearing structure, facade, roof, etc.) as part of a standard building inspection (Inspección Técnica de Edificios – ITE)
• Buildings 50 years old or older
  • Nationwide, statutory requirement
  • Scope: Complete IEE. In addition to the structural condition, this includes the accessibility inspections mentioned above, the building’s energy performance certificate, a site plan, and photographic documentation.

The ETV license(Estancia Turísticaen Viviendas) is the official permit for vacation rentals in Mallorca. The Ministry of Tourism of the Balearic Islands (Consellería de Turisme) is responsible for this. The ETV license is personal and property-related and is linked to the reference number and the cadastral entry (Referencia Catastral) of the property.

Since December 2024, there has been a new regulation that obliges owners of vacation properties to register their property, which has a license for tourist rental (vacation rental), with a so-called single register. This gives you a special registration number that must be passed on to the companies marketing the property. All rental properties receive an additional identification number for tourist rentals, which must be entered in the land register. In addition to the application form, a copy of the rental license, the cadastral reference and the CRU/IDUFIR number must be submitted. The digital certificate is also required.
This regulation comes into force on July 1, 2025.

The "Cédula de habitabilidad" is a document that certifies that a home, commercial space or residential building meets the minimum requirements in terms of dimensions, hygiene and facilities suitable for accommodating people. It is a document required for the occupation of the dwelling, commercial space or residential building, which is why utilities such as water, electricity, gas or any other energy or telecommunications product cannot be definitively contracted if there is no valid cédula de habitabilidad or equivalent document.

Types of cédula de habitabilidad:

• First Occupancy:
  Issued when work has been performed on new construction, additions, alterations, and total or partial renovations involving more than 60% distribution, consolidation, restoration, or change of use.
• Renewal:
  Issued when the cédula has expired (cédulas expire after ten years) and none of the requirements for applying for a first-time cédula are met.
• Carencia:
  Issued when the dwelling, land or residential building does not have any of the previous certificates and it is proved that the building was completed before March 1, 1987, that there are no urban deteriorations and that since that date no works or actions have been carried out that are listed in the concept of first occupancy certificate for habitability.
• Duplicate:
  This can be requested as long as the certificate has not expired and no work or measures have been carried out that are listed in the context of the initial certificate.

Very clear answer - no. The Cédula de Habitabilidad is a document that is a prerequisite for some things and helpful for others, but it is perfectly possible to buy or own a property that does not have a cédula and still be happy with it.

A current and valid cédula is a prerequisite for the initial connection of a property to the public electricity and water supply, and without it you cannot apply for, transfer or renew a holiday rental licence.

However, if a property you are interested in is already connected to the public electricity and water supply and you do not want to rent the property out for holidays, then the cédula is merely "helpful" in the event of a possible resale, but it is not absolutely necessary.

Against this background, one must always examine and assess the respective situation with all its possible consequences, but blanket statements are of little help and only cause confusion.