75% of homes in Spain were built before 1979. This statistic highlights the need to focus on rehabilitation. Since 2021, there has been a digital tool that helps address this issue and is also supported by Next Generation Funds: the Existing Building Book (e-LEEx). In this post, we will explain what it consists of, what elements it contains, how you can create it, and we provide some practical guides.
What is the Existing Building Book?
The Existing Building Book is, in essence, the “digital medical record” of a building, as defined at the 2023 edition of Rebuild, the technological event for the construction industry.
It arises from the need for a tool that compiles all the information about a building to make technical decisions throughout its lifespan. It is a document drafted by architecture professionals, laying the foundation for rehabilitation, conservation, and maintenance work on residential buildings.
Its introduction in 2021 follows the Existing Building Book, which is mandatory for buildings constructed after the year 2000, and sets forth guidelines for those built before that date. Unlike its predecessor, the new report is dynamic, as some voices in the industry indicate: “The Existing Building Book has remained as a static snapshot of delivery, and it should be a dynamic snapshot, updating with every action and change,” as explained by Juan López-Asiain, Director of the Technical Office of the General Council of Technical Architecture of Spain.
A new regulatory framework for rehabilitation?
Currently, e-LEEx is not mandatory, but the significant number of homes built before the year 2000 will likely lead to its mandatory adoption. Currently, it is essential for applying for rehabilitation grants (and the drafting is also eligible for subsidies).
These grants, which must be completed by June 30, 2026, require that the predominant use of the space is for housing and that at least 50% of the above-ground constructed area, excluding the ground floor, is used for this purpose.
They will cover part of the professional fees for the preparation of the book, as well as the development of comprehensive rehabilitation technical projects. The action plan must achieve savings in non-renewable primary energy consumption of over 30% (and provide estimated savings data for each case).
Data in the Existing Building Book
The minimum data that the book must contain is divided into the following sections, established in three blocks: general information, documentation and conservation status, user manual and maintenance, improvement potential, and renovation action plan.
General information
This section includes both the building’s identifying information (cadastral reference, location, and typology) and urban, ownership, and technical professional details responsible for drafting the document.
Block 1
The first block stores the building’s documentation and its conservation status (Technical Building Inspection Report, Building Evaluation Report, and energy efficiency certificate), as well as the user manual and maintenance. This manual includes information that goes beyond a static snapshot and allows for an understanding of the current state of the building: usage limitations (rooftops, terraces, etc.), common installations, conservation plan, incidents and operations carried out, maintenance contracts, a record of actions, and recommendations for best practices.
Block 2
This final section is dedicated to the potential for improving performance, focusing on safety and health along with energy efficiency issues. It also outlines an action plan for renovation, including a timeline and economic valuation.
Five guides for creating the Existing Building Book
Now that you understand the purpose of this essential document for addressing the need for building rehabilitation, we recommend five guides for creating it:
- Guide for creation from the Superior Council of the College of Architects of Spain.
- Free application from the Valencian Institute for Building.
- Example documents from the College of Quantity Surveyors of Madrid.
- Info from the College of Quantity Surveyors, Technical Architects, and Building Engineers of the Region of Murcia.
- Web application from the Ministry of Public Works for the creation of Building Evaluation Reports.
