Who Issues Certificate of Compliance?

Aeneas

A friend is selling a house that was extended/renovated about ten years ago. Planning permission was obtained. He needs a Certificate of Compliance. I have a few guestions:
1: Does he need two certs to cover both planning and building regs?
2: Must these be issued by the original architect/engineer or can he engage an entirely separate firm to do the job?
3: is there any booklet/brochure/guidance (ideally on the internet) that gives authoritive advice on this issue. I have googled the matter but haven't found anything comprehensive.
Grateful for any advice.

mandz

I think you can get one certificate to cover both, but not entirely sure. I think I've seen one but there are two standard separate forms too. Any registered architect/engineer can complete the cert of compliance, it just involves them visiting the premises to see if it complies and then issuing the certificate.

archtech

A single opinion of compliance can cover both, if signed by the same person.

In terms of building regulations ideally the original supervising designer should issue the opinion of compliance, the RIAI, from what I understand, recommend to their members not to issue opinions of compliance with building regulations where they were not engaged in the supervision of the project.

An opinion of compliance with Planning permission is more straight forward, once the relevant person inspects both the property and relevant planning files.
Of course the opinion of compliance with planning is dependant on if building is build (or substantially) in accordance with planning permission.

Persons ( be it engineer/architect/building suveyor/AT etc) with PI cover should only issue opinions of compliance and depending on who requires it there many be restrictions of qualifications/ or professional membership

sinnerboy

The RIAI some time ago issued an advice note to its members not to issue Cert for b regs where the architect had no part in the construction process

A cert for planning involves a comparison of the built project vs what is on public record relating to the planning . Any RIAI member can do this - whether they were involved before or not

If a vendor can't furnish all certs - he can "declare" this - upon legal advice

sydthebeat

archtech wrote: »

In terms of building regulations ideally the original supervising designer should issue the opinion of compliance,

im going to assume theres no certificate of compliance on the original build, so also think its safe to assume there was no original supervising designer....

we often do certs of compliance on existing builds where there was no original certifier... to be honest, most of the existing housing stock from 92-02 would fall into this category....

the certificate contains wording to ensure that what is being certified in regard to building regulations is based on a non intrusive visual inspection only... this is acceptable by the legal profession and thus covers the certifier. Its a very vague and scant way of confirming compliance, but its accepted by solicitors....

oconn

where does one get the actual cert of compliance, my engineer ( civil/structural) isnt familar as he is doing a favor . he is legit with indemnity insurance etc etc. Is the doc on the IEI web or in th council site ?

muffler

oconn wrote: »

where does one get the actual cert of compliance, my engineer ( civil/structural) isnt familar as he is doing a favor . he is legit with indemnity insurance etc etc. Is the doc on the IEI web or in th council site ?

Your solicitor should be able to give him a template.

Im surprised he isnt aware of whats required though.