Romanian Estate Agents Want Law Requiring Home Energy Certification Delayed

„There are very few energy auditors, even none in some counties, and the certification activity is quite laborious, time consuming and expensive. We ask the relevant authorities, especially the Ministry of Development and Housing, to delay the application of the Emergency Ordinance, at least until the second half of 2010, during which time the technical and operational conditions for the efficient implementation of this ordinance would be fulfilled,” an ARAI press release said.

According to the law, as of January 1, 2010, a certificate of the building’s energetic performance is mandatory when concluding any contract for the purchase/sale or rent of residential buildings or apartments. After the rule enters force, all real estate transactions will require this certification.

Real estate agency officials believe that before the law can be applied, authorities must develop and authorize an efficient and fast computerized certification methodology, and a database of the standardized technical indicators needed for the certification of residential buildings constructed between 1960 and 1990, which make up a significant part of the Romanian housing pool. There is also a need for more energy auditors.

This rule would have a significant impact on transactions of old buildings, as ones built in recent years have energy certification.

„Such a measure will negatively impact the real estate market. A mandatory energy performance certificate will result in blocking or delaying sales of old homes, affecting the interests of both sellers and buyers in this time of economic crisis with severe repercussions on this market,” the press release said.

The Romanian Association of Real Estate Agencies was founded in 1995 and comprises legal persons operating in the field of real estate.