Why you should get an energy label for your house, now!

Did you know that when you sell your property, you must hand over a definitive energy label of your property to the buyer? 

In 2015, a new energy label scheme was introduced in Europe. This label shows how energy efficient your home is. When you sell your property, you are obliged to give the label to the new homeowners. After receiving the information from the seller, a recognised expert will issue such a label. With this label, the buyer can, amongst other things, get advice on how to improve the property’s energy efficiency.

If you don’t know the current energy rating of your home, you can use the government web app to request and register it. This will cost you around 20 euros.

Energy rating required 

The notary who handles the deed of delivery will check whether or not the energy label is actually handed over to the buyer of the property. If this does not happen, the seller may risk a fine of 170 euros, imposed by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate.

What is an energy label?

A definitive energy label shows how energy efficient your home is. The label makes clear which energy-saving measures are possible. The label for homes rates from A to G. Homes with an A-label are the most energy-efficient, while homes with a G-label are the least energy efficient. In addition, the label also provides an overview of housing characteristics, such as the housing type, insulation, glazing and heating.

What is the value of the current energy label?

Currently, homeowners themselves state the 10 most important energy-efficient characteristics of their house and this is inspected remotely by a recognised expert. Therefore, the current energy labels are not really reliable. After all, what is the value of such an energy label if nobody comes and checks the house? This is why the label has gotten a lot of criticism and it’s also the reason why the current energy label will be changed.

New energy label from July 1, 2020

If you are going to sell your home after July 1 and your home does not yet have a definitive energy rating, you will have to apply for a label that meets the new requirements. The new system for determining the energy label is so complicated that an expert, an energy performance adviser, will have to come to your home to check, among other things.

This means the new energy label is expected to be more accurate and independent. It is also expected that the price of such a label will become a lot more expensive, think several hundred euros.

How do you save money by applying for an energy label?

If you purchased your current home before 2015, you probably did not receive a definitive energy rating, as at that time it wasn't mandatory. If you are you planning to sell your property within the next 10 years, you could still apply for the cheap version. After all, it is valid for 10 years! If you want to take this opportunity, read the instructions (in Dutch) and log in with your DigiD to request one.