What This Requirement Covers
A completion certificate is the formal confirmation from a Building Control Body that building work complies with the Building Regulations. It is an important legal document that affects property value, insurability, and saleability. The failure to obtain a completion certificate is one of the most common issues raised during property conveyancing.
Key Requirements
When a Completion Certificate Is Issued
- Building Control issues a completion certificate when it is satisfied that the building work complies with the applicable requirements of the Building Regulations
- For local authority building control, this is a completion certificate under Regulation 17
- For Registered Building Control Approvers (formerly Approved Inspectors), this is a final certificate
- The certificate confirms compliance at the date of completion; it does not guarantee ongoing compliance
What Building Control Checks
Before issuing a completion certificate, Building Control will typically verify
- Structural elements comply with Approved Document A
- Fire safety measures comply with Approved Document B
- Drainage complies with Approved Document H
- Energy performance complies with Approved Document L (SAP calculation and EPC)
- Air tightness test results (new dwellings)
- Electrical installation certificates (Part P)
- Ventilation commissioning results (Part F)
- Sound insulation test results or Robust Details registration (Part E, for separating walls and floors)
- All other relevant Approved Document requirements
Documents Required for Sign-Off
Typically required at completion stage
- Electrical Installation Certificate (or FENSA/CERTASS certificate for windows)
- Gas Safe certificate (for boiler installations)
- Air tightness test certificate (new dwellings)
- SAP calculation and EPC
- Sound insulation test results (or Robust Details confirmation)
- Drainage test certificates (air or water test)
- Fire door certificates (third-party certification)
- Structural engineer's completion certificate (for structural work)
- FIRAS or equivalent fire-stopping certification (for multi-unit buildings)
- Ventilation commissioning sheet
Missing Completion Certificates
If building work was carried out without Building Regulations approval or without obtaining a completion certificate
- A regularisation application can be submitted to the local authority
- Building Control will inspect the work (which may require opening up walls, floors, or ceilings)
- If the work complies (or can be brought into compliance), a regularisation certificate is issued
- The fee is typically 100-150% of the standard building control fee
- If the work does not comply and cannot be made to comply, the local authority may take enforcement action (including requiring the removal of the work)
- There is no time limit for the local authority to take enforcement action for non-compliance with Building Regulations
Practical Compliance Tips
- Notify Building Control at each inspection stage during the works; missed inspections can delay or prevent the completion certificate
- Collect all certificates, test results, and commissioning data before requesting the final inspection
- Do not allow the property to be occupied before the completion certificate is issued; occupation without a certificate is a breach of the Building Regulations
- When buying a property, check for completion certificates for all building work; your conveyancing solicitor should request these
- If completion certificates are missing, ask the seller to apply for regularisation before exchange of contracts
- Keep copies of all completion certificates and supporting documents with the property deeds
- For multi-unit developments, coordinate the completion certificate process with the sales programme; delays in sign-off delay property sales