Anytime you buy or sell an immovable property, there is a requirement of many documents right from the ones that prove your title to the property like Title Deed, to receipts for payment of Property Taxes, to Encumbrance Certificate that proves that the property is free of any charge to other documents like Completion Certificate and Occupancy Certificates.
In our earlier post, we have written about the important legal terms that one should be aware of while dealing with real estate.
Today we hope to explain more about another important document – Completion Certificate and why is it important to you
What is a Completion Certificate?
Before commencement of any construction, be it an apartment complex or an stand-alone house, one has to apply to the appropriate authorities for Building permission giving complete details of the structure planned, the layout of the building /complex, number of apartments that would be constructed, etc.
The building /complex would then need to be constructed in accordance with the approved plan. Any deviations from the approved plan is not allowed.
To ensure that everything is in line with what was approved earlier, the authorities grant a certificate called as the Completion Certificate to the final structure.
A Completion Certificate is an attestation from the appropriate authorities that the structure has been constructed in accordance with all required rules and regulations and as per the approved plan.
This certificate needs to have details regarding the height of the building, materials used, etc.
Why you need the Completion Certificate?
A completion certificate demonstrates that the building has been constructed as per the laid down norms and that it has been inspected by the authorities.
In addition, this certificate is a pre-requirement for applying to water and electricity connection for a building.
You might think that it might a requirement that should bother the developer and not the owners of the individual apartments. However, having a completion certificate is beneficial in more than one ways and is a mandatory requirement for the following reasons
- Sense of security that the building has been constructed in line with the approved plan
- Only after the completion or possession of home can you claim Income tax benefits.
- Avoid evictions or other legal procedures that municipal authorities can proceed against you.
- A requirement while selling your home
- Completion Certificate forms a pre-requisite for obtaining Occupancy Certificate. Without an occupancy certificate, it is illegal to reside in a particular building.
Documents Required For Obtaining A Completion Certificate
As this a State requirement, there may be difference in the documents required. However, in general, these are the documents sought while applying for a Completion Certificate.
- Duly filled application form
- Building Completion certificate from a Licensed Architect/Engineer
- Structural Engineer’s letter
- Property Tax department NOC or Receipts
- Completion Affidavit from the Developer /Owner
- NOC from the Fire Department (if required)
- NOC for elevator operation (if required)
- NOC from the State Pollution Control Board (if required)
- Part Completion Affidavit (If part completion certificate is sought )
- Solar system installation documents ( If applicable)
- Sewage treatment (STP) NOC (if required)
Though this document may not be necessary while registration of a property, it is good to ensure that your developer has obtained Completion Certificate to avoid unnecessary hassles at a later date.
