Housing Technical File: The document that ensures real estate safety and transparency

Far beyond bureaucratic formalities, the Housing Technical File (Ficha Técnica da Habitação - FTH) is an essential instrument for ensuring transparency, safety, and legality in the Portuguese real estate market. Created to centralise key information about a building or dwelling, it functions as the “identity card” of the property, merging technical and construction data that allow the owner, buyer, or tenant to understand the asset in detail.

Example of a “Housing Technical File”

What is the Housing Technical File?

The Housing Technical File (HTF) is a document required for new residential buildings or those undergoing reconstruction, expansion, or significant alteration, and is intended to describe their technical and functional characteristics. Established under Decree-Law No. 68/2004, this document ensures transparency and consumer information by consolidating, in a single record, all essential data about the property — from materials used to energy efficiency.

“The Technical File identifies and qualifies the dwelling, ensuring safety and confidence in the act of buying or selling.”

What is the Purpose of the Housing Technical File?

The HTF serves several legal and practical purposes:

• Informs buyers about the conditions and materials used in construction.

• Ensures transparency in property transactions.

• Confirms compliance of the building with the approved design and the Legal Framework for Urbanisation and Building (RJUE).

• Facilitates property management over time, acting as a reference for future works.

• Provides legal proof in case of disputes or warranty issues.

In summary, it is both a technical and legal document that protects owners and purchasers alike.

When is the Housing Technical File Mandatory?

It is mandatory in three main situations:

1. New residential buildings.

2. Reconstruction, expansion, or alteration works that significantly modify the building’s characteristics.

3. Sale of new or used properties built after 30 March 2004.

Who Can Prepare the Housing Technical File?

The HTF must be prepared by the developer or property owner, who is responsible for the accuracy of its contents. However, it is usually compiled by the project architect or another qualified professional familiar with the necessary technical information. It must be submitted to the Municipality for registration and later provided to the buyer or final owner at the time of sale.

Typical contents include:

• Identification of the property.

• Location and usage licence number.

• Names of the designer and contractor.

• Description of construction materials and systems.

• Details of electrical, gas, telecommunications, water, and sewage installations.

• Acoustic, thermal, and accessibility studies.

• Energy certification.

Advantages of Having a Housing Technical File

An updated HTF brings clear benefits to property owners, buyers, and the property value itself:

• Full transparency on the building’s construction and performance.

• Increased property value due to technical and legal compliance.

• Streamlined sales or rental processes.

• Reliable documentation for future interventions, preventing mistakes.

• Legal security, reducing litigation risks.

• Compliance with legislation, avoiding penalties or trade restrictions.

  
  

“Having a Technical File means owning the history and DNA of your home, consolidated in one document.”

Consequences of Lacking a Housing Technical File

Its absence or incorrect completion may result in serious legal and financial consequences:

• Inability to legally sell new properties.

• Fines applied to the developer or owner.

• Civil liability for the builder in case of omission or falsification of data.

• Potential annulment of purchase agreements.

The RJUE reinforces the responsibility of all stakeholders — designers, builders, and developers — to ensure the correct issuance and delivery of this document.

Technical Recommendations

• Always check for the existence of the HTF before purchasing a new property.

• Update it whenever works significantly alter the building’s structure.

• Seek the assistance of an architect or engineer for its preparation.

• Archive it with other property documents (certificates, licences, drawings).

• Confirm with the local Municipality that it is properly registered.

Final Reflection

The Housing Technical File is, in essence, the reflection of a building’s constructive quality and legal transparency. It represents a commitment among builders, regulators, and residents, ensuring that housing meets the required standards of safety, efficiency, and comfort. In an increasingly demanding and regulated real estate market, the HTF is not a formality — it is a guarantee of trust.