Certificates of Completion and site inspections - under the 2003 Act

How to submit a Certificate of Completion

Once a Building Warrant is approved, work may start on site. Please note however, that you are required to inform the Service within 7 days of starting site works. Form J, Notice Regarding Start of Work, is included in the Building Warrant documents sent to you.

Inspections of the work in progress may be made to ensure that the project is being constructed in accordance with the approved plans and the regulatory standards. Please note that the inspections exclude the standard of workmanship unless it directly affects compliance with the Technical Standards. The Service does not act as a Clerk of Works and it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure proper supervision of the works in progress.

When building works are complete, the Relevant Person, or their agent should submit a Certificate of Completion (Form 5 or 5A). Form 5 should be used for building warrant applications lodged after 1st May 2007. Form 5A should be used for building warrant applications lodged before 1st May 2007. The Service will agree a date with you to inspect the works and will advise you within fourteen days of the acceptance or rejection of the Completion Certificate. Once the work has been completed satisfactorily the Service aims to notify you of the acceptance of the Completion Certificate within 5 days of the approval of the work.

If works have been completed without a Building Warrant, the Relevant Person, or their agent should submit a Certificate of Completion (Form 6). Plans, specifications and other information that would have accompanied a building warrant application will be required. Please note that this will incur an increased fee, and that the completed works will have to comply with the building works in force at the time of the submission of the Completion certificate.

It is possible to occupy or use a building before a Certificate of Completion has been submitted, but only where an application for the temporary occupation or use of the building has been applied for and granted by the Service. Each application is considered on its own merits, and approval may not be given.

Certificates of Completion and site inspections - under the 1959 Act

How to apply for a Certificate of Completion

Once a Building Warrant is approved, work may start on site. Please note however, that you are required to inform the Service within 7 days of starting site works. A postcard for this purpose is included in the Building Warrant documents sent to you.

Inspections of the work in progress may be made to ensure that the project is being constructed in accordance with the approved plans and the regulatory standards. Please note that the inspections exclude the standard of workmanship unless it directly affects compliance with the Technical Standards. The Service does not act as a Clerk of Works and it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure proper supervision of the works in progress.

When building works are complete, the applicant, agent or any person having an interest in the construction of the building should make an application for a Certificate of Completion (Form 8). The Service will agree a date with you to inspect the works and will advise you within fourteen days of any work that requires to be done. If the work has been completed satisfactorily the Service aims to issue the Completion Certificate within 5 days of the inspection.

It is possible to occupy or use a building before a Certificate of Completion has been issued, but only where an application for the temporary occupation or use of the building has been applied for and granted by the Service. Each application is considered on its own merits, and approval may not be given.