When you plan to purchase a flat / bungalow in a housing scheme/project under construction, you must demand copy of Commencement Certificate to ensure proper approvals for the project is obtained from Municipal / Development authority.

When you plan to purchase a flat / bungalow in a housing scheme constructed and ready for occupation, you must demand copy of Commencement Certificate, Completion Certificate and Occupation Certificate to ensure that all approvals from Municipal or Development authority are obtained and available with the Builder.

Commencement Certificate and Completion Certificate are two vital documents pertaining to housing schemes / projects. A number of NOCs need to be obtained and submitted to Municipal / Developmental authorities by Builder / Developer. Some of these NOCs / Permissions are: a) Non-Agriculture (NA) permission, b) Tree Authority, c)Storm Water and Drain Department, d) Sewerage Department, e)Hydraulic Department, f) Environmental Department (concerned with debris management), g) Consent to Establish & Operate, h) Ancient Monument Approval, i) Airports Authority of India, j) Traffic and Coordination Department, k) CFO (fire clearance), l) Railway clearance, m) Structural Plan Approval.

The Commencement Certificate is issued by Municipal / Development Authority only after submission of required permissions / NOCs by Developer / Builder. Therefore, Commencement Certificate authentically establishes that the Housing project / scheme has all necessary permissions, NOCs and approvals.

Another important document is Occupancy Certificate which allows the Builder / Developer to occupy the building but is not considered final document because the Builder still requires Certificate of Completion. The Building/Development company's architect must submit a formal letter stating that construction has been completed according to the standards set forth in the IOD and CC.

Completion Certificate is considered to be the ultimate document that the Builder / Developer requires to fully occupy the building and connect it to utilities.

In case the Builder / Developer / Vendor is not able to produce these 3 documents, you can file RTI Application to the concerned PIO of Municipal Corporation or Development Authority and seek:

Use Application Format (if any) and Application Fee as per your State RTI Rules

Particulars of information required

Project Name : ……………….
Address of the Property : …………………
Survey No/CTS No/ Khasra no: ………………..
Name of Builder/Developer : …………………..

Please supply me the following information in respect of Real Estate / Housing / Building Project mentioned above:

[1] Certified copy of Commencement Certificate.
[2] Certified copy of Completion Certificate.
[3] Certified copy of Occupation Certificate.

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