DECO trading standards

In Portugal the energy performance certificate has become an essential and mandatory document when selling, buying or renting a house, as well as to access tax benefits and financial support to make homes more efficient.

Sometimes nature comes closer to man and this is not always as good as one might think or wish. This is the case when birds decide to build their nests in buildings where people live, blocking the outlets of smoke and affecting the proper ventilation of buildings.

Anyone who has a shared swimming pool for all the people in their apartment building in Portugal knows what a delight it can be to cool off in the summertime, but you have to bear in mind that there are certain precautions to take and rules to follow.

Summer is here and it’s come in with a bang!

Home loans (and other types of loans) are becoming more and more complex, with contracts written in excessively technical language that seems like it’s deliberately difficult for the consumer to understand, so you can’t make a truly informed decision between different banks and compare their mortgag

It's not always easy for neighbours to live together, especially if you live in an apartment building or block of flats. Be it loud music, construction work, or noisy animals... there are those who have difficulties in complying with the rules of good neighbourliness.

Are you going to change houses, selling one and buying another, but are worried about the capital gains tax to be paid?

How long has it been since your building had any work done to it? Is it a legal requirement to do carry out reparations to the communal areas every now and then? What happens if there are people living in certain flats of the apartment block who don’t pay their condominium fees?

Do you know what assignment of lease is and in what situations it happens? In today's article for idealista/news by Alerta Deco, the Portuguese Consumer Protection Association, we will explain this topic. "I have a transfer of rental contract that dates from 2005.

Many banks ask for a guarantee when granting a loan for the purchase of a house, but there are also certain landlords who ask for one in new leasing contracts.

Do you have a doorman in your apartment building, or did there used to be one? Is there a flat set aside for this porter to live in but now it’s empty?

To buy or not to buy a house? That is the question. There is always someone trying to work through this dilemma. Should I buy? Should I wait? The decision is never easy.