APE (attestato di prestazione energetica): what it is
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What the APE is in simple termsWhen it is mandatoryHow to read the energy classHow long the APE lasts and when it must be redoneHow much it costs and who paysAnd if the home comes from an auction?In practiceFrequently asked questionsSourcesThe APE, that is the attestato di prestazione energetica, is the document that tells you how much energy a home uses to heat, cool and produce hot water. It assigns an energy class, from A4 (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient). If you sell or rent a property, the APE is mandatory.
What the APE is in simple terms
The APE is a certificate describing the energy efficiency of a property. It is prepared by a qualified technician, called a certificatore, after an inspection of the home. The technician collects data on walls, windows, heating system and hot water.
The document is uploaded to the national APE register, called SIAPE and managed by ENEA. It is valid for 10 years.
When it is mandatory
The obligation is set out in Legislative Decree 192 of 2005, Article 6. It applies to the sale and rental of properties. These are the practical points to remember:
- The sales or rental contract must include a clause stating that the APE has been delivered.
- The APE must be attached to the contract. If it is missing, an administrative fine applies.
- The energy class must be stated in sale and rental advertisements.
You can find how it works in an ordinary home purchase in the guide on passaggi per comprare casa. The final check takes place at the notary's office, as explained in the guide on the rogito notarile.
How to read the energy class
The class runs from A4 to G, in this order: A4, A3, A2, A1, B, C, D, E, F, G. The A classes are the most efficient, G is the least efficient. The class tells you how much energy is needed to run the home, not how beautiful or comfortable it is.
The certificate also shows estimated consumption and some advice on improving efficiency. Read it calmly, because it indicates where the home loses the most energy.
Warning: the class is an estimate calculated using standard data. It does not say with certainty what bills you will pay, which also depend on how you live in the home.
How long the APE lasts and when it must be redone
The APE is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. Example: an APE issued in 2016 expires in 2026. If the APE has expired at the time of sale or rental, it must be redone before you sign.
If you carry out works that change the energy efficiency of the home, such as a new boiler or window frames, ask the technician whether it is worth redoing it. An old class may no longer represent the property.
How much it costs and who pays
The law does not set a price for the APE. The cost is decided by the technician who prepares it, and it can vary a lot from professional to professional and from home to home. Always ask for a written quote showing what is included.
In a sale, who pays for the APE is decided between seller and buyer. Put this agreement in writing in the preliminary contract or in the deed. If you need the APE to rent, the owner usually pays, but here too what has been agreed applies.
And if the home comes from an auction?
In court auctions the APE is often prepared by the appraiser or the custodian. It is not necessarily ready at the time of the offer. For this reason, check the notice of sale and look for the section that mentions the energy certificate.
The document is often attached to the appraisal report. On how to read the appraisal report you can follow the guide on la perizia di un'asta, sezione per sezione. If the notice says nothing, ask the sale delegate before taking part.
In practice
- Ask the seller or the agency for a copy of the APE and check the date of issue.
- Check that the expiry date is later than the date planned for the notarial deed or for signing the rental contract.
- Check that the class stated in the advertisement is the same as on the document.
- If the property is being auctioned, look in the notice for the reference to the energy certificate before you bid.
- Ask for a written quote if you need to have it redone, and agree in writing who pays for it.
Frequently asked questions
If the APE has expired, can I still sign?
The APE must be redone before signing: the contract must have a valid APE attached, otherwise an administrative fine applies. An expired document does not satisfy the obligation. Ask the seller to arrange it before the notarial deed.
Does the APE still apply if I change the heating system?
It depends on the works: if the intervention changes the energy performance, the class written on the document may no longer match the home. If you need to sell or rent, discuss with the technician whether to redo it.
Can I use the APE of another home in the same building?
No, the APE describes one specific property. Different flats, even in the same building, can have different classes. Check that the document shows the address and cadastral details of the home you are buying or renting.
Where can I find an APE that already exists?
APEs are collected in the national SIAPE register. Ask the seller or owner for a copy of the document, which they usually have. If they do not have it, contact a qualified technician to make a new one.
Sources
In the same chapter
- Cadastral category (categoria catastale): A/2, A/3, C/6 and the others explainedThe cadastral category is the code that classifies the property (A/2, A/3, C/6…) and determines cadastral income and taxes. Here is what the letters and numbers mean.
- Certificate of habitability (certificato di agibilità): when it is neededThe certificate of habitability confirms that a home is fit for use. Here is when it is needed, how to check it before buying and what to do if it is missing.
- Cadastral code of the municipality (codice catastale del comune): what it isThe cadastral code is a four-character code that identifies the municipality (comune) in the land registry, and you need it to look up a land registry extract. Here is where to find it.
- Foglio, particella and subalterno: how to find themFoglio, particella and subalterno are the numbers that identify the property in the land registry (catasto): you find them in the notarial deed, the land registry extract and the auction appraisal report.
- Mortgage on a home: what it is and how it is cancelledThe mortgage is the guarantee the bank registers on the home for the loan. It is closed after the final payment, but it should be checked with a mortgage search: here's how.
- Mortgage Search (Ispezione ipotecaria): How to Request It and What It ShowsThe mortgage search (ispezione ipotecaria) shows mortgages, seizures and transcriptions on a home: here is how to request it and what to check before signing.
General information, not legal or tax advice: the law and the notice of sale prevail.
