Energy Performance Certificates were introduced in England and Wales in 2007, as part of the Home Information Packs for domestic properties. Now, a little after that date, they become obligatory in Spain from the 1st of June, 2013, with property owners becoming liable for ensuring their home is graded as per the rating from “A” through to “G”, relevant to the energy efficiency of the property.

Officially called the Certificado de Eficiencia Energética in Spain, or CEE, the property is given a standard rating based on energy efficiency and carbon emissions, with grade “A” indicating the most efficient property, whereas “G” is the least energy efficient.

The aim is to both raise awareness of how inefficient buildings effect the environment, as well as indicating how savings can be made in the home by adopting some minor changes or investments.

The certificate is mandatory for properties which are being sold or rented, and failure to provide the certificate can result in a fine of between 3,000 and 6,000 euro. As part of the property sale process, it will be standard practice for notaries to ask for the certificate, as it will also form part of their obligations.

The first question which needs answering is whether or not you will need a certificate. Well, if you have no intention of selling or renting your property, then you don´t need to worry too much as this stage, the primary focus is for those properties which are offered to buyers or tenants. In other words, if you intend to sell or rent your property, or if it is already on the market, then you WILL need the certificate, otherwise you will not be able to sell or rent your property. It really is that simple.

The second question is when is the certificate needed? The answer to that question is NOW. The legislation comes into force on the 1st of June and you will not be able to sell or rent your property without one. In fact, you won´t even be permitted to advertise your property for sale or rent without one. This isn´t something you can just ignore either. The process of selling or renting can only continue if you have the certificate in place.

The third most important question revolves around the issuing of the certificate. Because this is a government led initiative, with huge implications on both the environment and the economy, nobody can just go and buy a “do-it-yourself” kit, nor can just anybody set up in business providing the documents. Only certified and registered assessors are able to issue the certificate, these companies and people are regulated through the government scheme.

The fourth question you are likely to have is how often do you need to have the certificate issued, well the good news is that the certificates are valid for 10 years, so once you have it, you don´t have to panic at any frequency less than you would for your own passport.

Which brings us to the final question of holiday lets, a number of people are bound to wonder if they need a certificate if their property is only used for this purpose, either privately or through an agency, to which the answer is YES. Agencies will not be legally allowed to offer your property for rent without one and may face prosecutions if they do.

For more information, contact The Leader today, on 96 673 0057, or visit the website, www.theleader.info, but don´t delay, this is happening and the clock is ticking, don´t get caught out by the last minute scramble.

The owner of a Range Rover Sport TDV8 is seeking an explanation through his lawyers, after an unusual sequence of events has left a number of questions unanswered.

Having allowed a friend to use the 100,000 euro vehicle way back in 2009, the driver was stopped by the police and failed a breath test, resulting in the vehicle becoming impounded pending the investigation and clarification of ownership. This process became somewhat complicated as records of ownership were not up to date, or missing. A battle was ongoing to try to reclaim the vehicle, but without success, the owner even claiming that the fine and impound fees had been sent.

However, the owner then believed that the time frame for claiming the vehicle had passed in early 2011, thus rendering the vehicle declared as scrap, despite there being nothing physically wrong with it; the complexity was caused by an administrative lapse.

However, the former owner of the car, who could be considered the victim as he played no part in the incident that led to the loss of the vehicle, has recently become even more confused when he spotted his vehicle being driven around the municipality of Orihuela.

Perhaps the first instance in these circumstances would be to contact the police, when you see that a vehicle you owned and lost was believed declared for scrap, was being driven on the roads. But the element of surprise was further exaggerated when the former owner who spotted his car realized that it is carrying yellow and red coloured decals, a row of blue lights on the roof and the caption “Policía Local de Orihuela” on the sides.

It would appear that the luxury vehicle had been impounded by the police, remained uncollected and so they decided to use the car for the purposes of patrolling the streets of Orihuela.

However, you might also remember a story we covered in March 2012, when the Mayor of Orihuela, Monserrate Guillen, was being criticised for ignoring his green credentials after he was who is praised by Javier Manzanares, of the PSOE in Torrevieja, for reducing the burden of public money by not having an official car, but, as our report said, “was seen this week using a reasonably new and branded Local Police Land Rover to cover his journeys between the city town hall and that on the coast”.

This is not the first time that local councillors have commandeered vehicles for use by the police. You might remember we also covered a story about Torrevieja council deciding to use a charity funded vehicle for their use, including hiding the original branding and labelling the vehicle in police livery.

In terms of defending the actions of Orihuela town hall though, Monserrate Guillen is reported to have explained that the local police began to make use of the Range Rover in early 2011, once the relevant deadlines passed and that at no time was the vehicle declared as scrap. Besides being the Mayor, the councillor was also responsible for the municipal vehicle fleet, and explained that when a vehicle is not claimed, it becomes the property of the municipal fleet and that several cars are at the disposal of the city after the time for claiming had passed.

It is also believed that the matter will be taken up and settled through the courts, as to clarify both the procedures adopted so far, and the rights of ownership and use of a vehicle left unclaimed.

The Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, and six other councilors, including Joaquín Albaladejo, Dolores Albaladejo, José Antonio Sánchez and Francisco Moreno, including two former council members, have been indicted by the courts of Torrevieja on charges relating to electoral offences, as confirmed by sources from the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community.

The facts relate to allegations made by the PSOE and Los Verdes of Torrevieja, dating back to May, 2011, during the campaign for municipal and autonomous elections, when the Partido Popular made their final campaign rally in the Municipal Theatre, although the building was not authorized for use for this purpose by the Electoral Board.

The PSOE have called for the resignation of those involved, whereas Joaquín Albaladejo for one has promised his full cooperation with the courts, for a hearing likely to be held on June the 6th and the 7th.