Housing

Yes, landlords in the EU must provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before renting out a property, as required by the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

Yes, if your new-build home in the EU fails to meet the nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) standard set by the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the developer is likely in breach of EU law and national implementation rules.

Yes, EU law requires energy-efficient renovations of existing buildings through the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), with binding national targets and minimum energy performance standards.

Yes, under EU law, landlords must ensure rental properties meet minimum energy performance standards, and tenants may have rights to request improvements or rent reductions if the property is excessively inefficient.

Yes, it may be a breach: EU law requires lenders to assess your creditworthiness and ability to repay before granting a mortgage.

Yes, under EU law, early repayment penalties on residential mortgages are capped at 1% of the prepaid amount if the remaining term is over one year, and 0.5% if it is one year or less.

Yes, EU law limits mortgage exit fees through the Mortgage Credit Directive, which caps early repayment charges at 1% or 0.5% of the outstanding amount depending on remaining term.

Yes, your mortgage can be sold to another company without your consent under EU law, as long as the new lender assumes all rights and obligations and you are properly informed.

Yes, making false claims about a property's features is an unfair commercial practice under EU law, prohibited by the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive.

Yes, omitting the planned motorway construction next door is likely a misleading omission under EU consumer protection law, as it deprives buyers of material information affecting property value and desirability.

Yes, using fake scarcity like 'last unit!' to pressure you into buying is considered an aggressive commercial practice under EU law.

You may claim compensation, rescind the contract, or demand performance if a developer’s advertised amenities were false or misleading — protected under EU consumer law on unfair commercial practices and misleading advertising.

Yes, showing manipulated photos of an apartment on a property portal is likely misleading under EU consumer protection law, as it distorts information essential to a consumer’s purchasing decision.

Yes, your mortgage lender was required to provide you with a standardised information sheet — the European Standardised Information Sheet (ESIS) — before you signed the mortgage contract.

You have the right to clear, prior written notice of any mortgage interest rate change, and the bank must comply with EU rules on transparency and unfair terms. If they failed to do so, you may challenge the change and seek redress.

Yes, in most EU countries, landlords are legally required to provide a valid energy performance certificate (EPC) when renting out property, and tenants can demand it — but enforcement depends on national rules.

The credit intermediary who provided the misleading information is primarily responsible, but the creditor (e.g., bank) may also share liability under EU law.

Yes, your bank was obliged to explain the currency risk of your foreign-currency mortgage under EU law, including clear, prominent warnings before you signed the contract.

Yes, mortgage brokers in the EU must disclose their commission to consumers before signing the agreement, as required by the EU Mortgage Credit Directive.

Yes, the EU requires a standardised European Standardised Information Sheet (ESIS) for residential mortgage offers, introduced by the Mortgage Credit Directive.

The EU Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC) prohibits discrimination in housing based on ethnicity and requires all EU Member States to implement national laws enforcing this right.

Yes, refusing you an apartment viewing because you are Roma is likely unlawful discrimination under EU law.

Yes, charging you higher rent because of your immigration status or ethnic origin is likely racial discrimination under EU law.

Yes, you can complain to a national equality body in your EU country, as housing co-operatives are covered by EU anti-discrimination law and most Member States have designated bodies to handle such complaints.

Yes, under EU law you are entitled to a clear explanation for your mortgage rejection, including the main reasons and any credit scoring factors used.