Certificate of Occupancy C of O Cedula de habitabilidad

A certificate of occupancy or permit to inhabit the dwelling can be defined as a document certifying the legal use as well as occupancy of a building. The certificate of occupancy certifies that the use of a building or land is in compliance with all the building laws and health laws in addition to other ordinances and provisions passed in this regard. It is issued by the Town Council when a house is considered to be completely habitable and safe. Before it can be issued the developer must submit a series of certifications on the fixtures such as water, gas and electricity

Without C of O you can not get services connected, by the recognised water & electricity suppliers and sometimes you cannot take out a residential mortgage. In this case after completion without C of O the developer is legally obliged to provide water and electricity, at no cost to the owner, until this is available. you are not legally obliged to complete without one. Builders cannot force you to complete without CO sometimes they threaten that you will lose deposit or your property if you do not complete.

Must I sign the deeds without CO ? No