First identify the building case concerned and when the work was applied for. A missing completion certificate cannot be assessed from the house’s construction year alone. An older home may have newer extensions, changes of use or other cases that need separate examination.
Separate the house from each building case
Collect the permit, approved drawings, amendments, any temporary permission to use the building and correspondence about outstanding work. Check the case reference and the scope of the decision. A certificate for an extension does not necessarily establish the status of a basement converted later.
Make a simple overview: the work, application date, permission granted and how the case was closed. If a document is absent from the file received, write “not found in the material received”. This is more precise than saying it never existed.
Timing matters
DiBK explains that completion certificates are not issued for work applied for before 1 January 1998. Certain cases from 1998 to June 2010 with temporary permission have specific completion provisions. Find the application date rather than relying on when the house was finished.
This does not settle separate questions about permitted use or later alterations. Use the records to explain what needs clarification from the municipality. Avoid commissioning a generic certificate application before identifying the relevant case and procedure.
What is needed to move forward?
Ask the municipality about the specific case status and any supplementary material needed. Information from earlier responsible professionals may be relevant, or professional help may be needed to describe completed work. Older documents may also need comparison with the present condition.
Keep the questions separate: Does the municipality hold the document? Is the case closed? Does current use match the permission? Is a new application necessary? This makes both the enquiry and the reply easier to use.
When buying or selling
Show the documents and open questions to the estate agent and relevant professional early. Do not describe an issue as resolved before the answer arrives. A clear overview helps explain precisely what was found and what remains under examination.
Budsjekk helps obtain the records, track responses and prepare further application work where relevant. Read also about approved drawings and current use.
What to check
- Find the building case and its application date.
- Look for the permit, approved drawings and any temporary use permit.
- Ask the municipality whether the case is closed and whether it holds missing records.
- Find out what is needed to follow up this particular building case.