You may have had to manage it as president or president of your neighborhood community or have heard of it as the owner of a flat. In any case, it is possible that you have asked yourself what the Technical Building Inspection is or why it exists.

The simple answer is that it is a kind of building inspection and that its objective is similar: to carry out periodic checks to avoid scares and accidents. Vital Building Inspections tell you in detail.

What is the building inspection, exactly?

It is a tool that helps to preserve the houses inadequate conditions, to promote the rehabilitation of buildings and the regeneration of urban areas. Currently, the building inspection is part of a broader building inspection report, which includes an energy certification document as well as the assessment of accessibility conditions for people with disabilities.

What Administration regulates it?

The Autonomous Communities are the ones that regulate the form, terms and conditions of the building inspection, although the municipalities can establish their actions within the framework of state and free minimums.

The legislation initially affected buildings of more than half a century located in municipalities of more than 25,000 inhabitants, except in Autonomous Communities or municipalities that had established other revisions. The law emphasizes that the property must keep the features in proper conditions of conservation.

The Autonomous Communities are the ones that regulate the form, terms and conditions of the building inspection, although the municipalities can establish their actions within the framework of state and free minimums.

The legislation initially affected buildings of more than half a century located in municipalities of more than 25,000 inhabitants, except in Autonomous Communities or municipalities that had established other revisions. The law emphasizes that the property must keep the features in proper conditions of conservation.

For what buildings is it mandatory?

Buildings over 50 years old had until June 2018 to pass the building inspection. The rest will have to do it gradually as they turn half a century. After that, they have to repeat the revision every ten years and respect the instructions included in the so-called Use and Maintenance Plan.

In some territories, there were previous regulations that contemplated the building inspection. In some cases, dates were set, but extensions were granted.

Who does it?

The building inspection is a report with its corresponding opinion made by qualified technical personnel. The legislation only authorizes professionals with the title of Architecture or Technical Architecture.

What’s its purpose?

Know the construction characteristics of the building, its condition and the conditions it may have if it has them so that they can be corrected.

Is there a follow-up by the Administrations?

The municipal ordinances are unequal, and not all the Autonomous Communities are equally strict. Some buildings have recently passed a building inspection that corresponded to them to spend years ago. By law, it is the municipalities that must monitor and even execute these works in a subsidiary manner.

What happens if it is broken?

The persons or entities that own buildings that do not fulfill the obligation to pass the building inspection, or that do not execute the repair works required, the measures and actions derived from the building inspection reports, in the terms that are indicated, when these have character immediately or very urgent, commit an urban infringement that can be claimed by law.

Is the opinion binding?

Yes. If the building inspection report establishes that there must be an intervention in the building, this intervention will be mandatory. It will have to be undertaken within the term indicated in the report, immediately, very urgently or urgently or beyond the term of one year.

In any case, the planning of when the works will be done must be done after receiving the report that will also indicate what they are and how to solve the gaps in accessibility and what to do to increase the energy rating of the building.

What happens when the building inspection has an unfavorable result?

Within the review, as stated in the decree mentioned above, it must be determined what type of works and reforms are those that should be carried out to comply with the standard.

But it is not causing for concern the fact of obtaining a negative result in the review, on the contrary, it means a guarantee of risk prevention for the useful life of the property, the integrity of those who inhabit it and of course, a long-term saving, because, in the absence of such a rule, many buildings would end in a deterioration that would represent very high costs, this, without mentioning the damage caused to the inhabitants.

The result of the building inspection will be favorable if it meets the following requirements:

Safety: if during the review of the interior, exterior and party walls, no obvious risks are discovered for people and property that are in the building.

If there is any failure in chimneys, false ceilings, cornices, projections, flights and in ornamental or finishing elements, they should be repaired quickly so that they do not cause injuries or deteriorate the condition of some areas of the building.

Health: in the interior and exterior of the building there are no situations that attempt against hygiene and public health, as leaks of water in the facade, decks or terrain in general. It is essential that the plumbing, energy and sanitation networks remain in perfect condition.

Of public decoration and decorum: the state of the facades of the building should not affect the public image or be a potential risk for passersby who are near the property.

More or less ‘spills’?

Caring is saving. The building inspection helps us to prioritize the works and organize ourselves economically. The idea is that the communities of owners have a technical report that helps them make decisions and that the buildings remain in better condition, which, over time, should lead to fewer exceptional expenses and spills.

The ‘Plan of use and maintenance of the building’ will dictate payments in reasonable installments so that our investments in real estate last longer and under the right conditions.

What if I want to ask for a grant for my building?

To access aid programs for individuals and communities for the rehabilitation of buildings and homes, the building inspection report will generally be essential, and the building inspection must have the entry stamp at the corresponding town hall.