Completion Certificate: What is a Completion Certificate? In the context of real estate, a completion certificate is an important document that states a building has been built according to the building plan and conforms to existing standards set by municipal corporations or local development authority.
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Who Needs a Completion Certificate?
A completion certificate needs to be obtained by owners of standalone buildings as well as developers. This certificate is essential to obtain because it is a prerequisite for accessing utilities like electricity and water.
What does a Completion Certificate Contain?
A completion certificate contains many details that pertain to the property and the property owner or developer. Some of the details include the location of the property, identification of the land, dimensions of the property and quality of materials used to build the property.
In this article, we shall explore how to obtain a completion certificate, the various processes, guidelines and other important details you need to be aware of.
Completion Certificate Application Process
Regardless if you are a developer or an individual property owner, you need to obtain the completion certificate from the local municipal corporation or your local development authority. Moreover, you will need to submit certain documents along with your application form.
Documents to be Submitted
You will be required to submit copies of the following documents:
- Building plan
- Building plan approval letter
- Sale deed (or lease deed)
- Tax paid receipt
- Water tax receipt
- Electricity cable and road cutting charges
- Borewell permission fee receipt (if applicable)
- Underground drainage and connection charges receipt
Once all the relevant documents are sent with the application form, an inspector will be assigned to inspect the property and verify if it conforms to the rules and regulations set by the municipal authorities as well as the approved building plan. If the property is found to be in accordance with the aforementioned rules and guidelines, then the Project Completion Certificate will be issued.
Contents of a Completion Certificate
A completion certificate contains the following details:
- A detailed description of the building plan
- Details of the land, such as its size and, direction and identification
- Details of the builder
- The property’s approved height
- The exact location of the project and its distance from other buildings in the area.
Importance of Completion Certificate
- Several states legally require you to furnish a completion certificate. Failing to do so can make it impossible for you to procure an electricity or water connection. For instance, the Madras High Court ruled on 22 October 2020, that all new housing projects across the state of Tamil Nadu will be required to furnish a Completion Certificate in order to secure an electrical connection.
- For home buyers, it is not advisable to take possession of a new property IF it does not have a completion certificate. This is due to the fact that, without the certificate, the building is classified as illegal and can invite legal actions ranging from fines and notices to even eviction.
- Also note, some municipal authorities allow buyers to take possession of housing projects which are partially completed. This is because such projects were undertaken by insolvent builders that are unable to complete the project.
What is a Provisional Completion Certificate
In scenarios where a developer needs to hand over an unfinished building to a homeowner, they can obtain a provisional completion certificate. However, this certificate is valid only for a duration of 6 months, post which the developer needs to obtain the final completion certificate.
FAQ’s on Completion Certificate
Question 1.
What is a Completion Certificate?
Answer:
A completion certificate is a legal document which states that a building has been built according to the building plan and conforms to existing standards set by municipal corporations or local development authorities.
Question 2.
How do you apply for a Completion Certificate?
Answer:
You need to apply for a completion certificate at the local municipal corporation or the local development authority
Question 3.
What are the contents of a Completion Certificate?
Answer:
A completion certificate contains details such as the building plan’s description, details of the land, details of the builder, the approved height of the property and the location of the project and its distance from other notable buildings in the area.
Question 4.
What are the documents to be submitted when applying for a completion certificate?
Answer:
You will be required to submit copies of the approved building plan, sale or lease deed, receipt of the tax paid, receipt of the water tax, electricity cable and road cutting charges, receipt of the borewell permission fee, and receipts of the underground drainage and connection charges.