The technical record of the house is a descriptive document that describes all the characteristics of the building that is to be used for habitable purposes. Act nº 68/2004, of 25 of March was created to reinforce the rights of the consumers and to give them all the necessary information and protection of their economical interests for the purchase of the urban building for habitation.

The technical record of the house was approved by the decree nº. 817/2004, 16th of July, this was put into effect on the 16th of August 2004. From this date onwards it is necessary to present the technical record of the house in order to complete the final deed.

The legislation has however, two exceptions to this legal obligation:

 * Buildings that were built or which were given or applied for a habitation licence, previous to the 30th of March 2004.

 * Buildings built before the General Regulation of Urban Constructions (RGEU) was taken into effect and approved by Act 38 382, 7th of August of 1951.

The technical record is compulsory for all buildings who have requested to be issued the habitation license after the 30th of March 2004. The technical record of the house should be presented by the builder.