The Act - an Overview Part 2: Approval of Construction Work Etc. Section 17: Completion certificates
54.This section makes provision for procedures to be followed by the relevant person (defined in subsection (10)) on completion of work or of a conversion for which a building warrant has been granted. Subsections (1) and (2) provide that the relevant person must submit a completion certificate certifying that any work or conversion has been carried out in accordance with the building warrant. The certificate must also certify that following any work, conversion or provision of services, fittings or equipment, buildings comply with building regulations. In the case of a conversion of part of a building, it is the part which was converted which must comply with building regulations. Subsection (3) provides that it is the building regulations in force at the time of the building warrant application which apply, i.e. not any later version in force when the completion certificate is submitted.
55.Subsection (4) provides that, in relation to any work or conversion which is complete and has been carried out without a building warrant, the relevant person must still submit a completion certificate. Subsection (5) provides that the certificate in such a case must certify that the work or conversion was carried out in accordance with building regulations and that the result complies with building regulations. Subsection (6) provides that in such a case it is the building regulations in force at the time the completion certificate is submitted which apply i.e. not those in force at the time the building work etc. was carried out, if different. The submission of a completion certificate under these provisions does not affect any liability incurred under section 8(2).
56.Subsection (7) provides that in relation to work carried out in implement of various notices under Parts 3 and 4 of the Act, owners must submit completion certificates. The certificates must certify that work has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the notice in question.
57.Subsection (8)provides that where local authorities carry out work to comply with the notices referred to in the subsection, the owner does not have to submit a completion certificate to a verifier.
58.Subsection (9) provides that where a building warrant enforcement notice served under section 27 in relation to a building constructed without a building warrant requires the owner to submit a completion certificate, the certificate must certify that the building conforms to building regulations as they are in force when the completion certificate is submitted, i.e. not the version in force when the building was constructed.
59.Subsection (10) defines the relevant person for the purposes of section 17.