The developer needs to obtain the commencement certificate before starting the construction of a new project or a building. The certificate can be obtained from the local authorities. The developers need to submit the plan of the project and accordingly, the municipal authority will conduct several preliminary checks before issuing the certificate of commencement or will authorise whether the project is fit for commencement or not. During this process, the developer should be in a position to provide all necessary no-objection certificates (NOCs) that are required to begin the construction. The developer also needs to present the proofs of all obtained clearances from the relevant departments that include, water, sewage, electricity, fire etc.
The developer receives the certificate based on the findings of the authority during the inspection of the project. The commencement certificate is issued in two stages, first up to the plinth area and then, for the superstructure. After receiving all the required licenses and approvals, the developer lays the superstructure foundation and builds the boundary for the project. According to RERA, a commencement certificate is a compulsory document for a project to be considered as RERA approved.
On the other side, as the commencement certificate is important for a developer, it is very important for a home buyer as well to understand the importance of the commencement certificate. Because if the home buyers know the importance they cannot be fooled by the developers.
The home buyer should know that until and unless the developer receives the commencement certificate for a project, the developer is not authorised to start its construction. Therefore if a developer does not have the certificate, then the buyers or the investors should not invest in that particular project. The buyer or the investors should also check that whether the commencement certificate obtained by the developers includes the floor on which the buyer wishes to buy the property. Owning a property without a commencement certificate could be illegal to own. This does not only affect the buyer’s legal title to the property, but the buyer might also have to pay fines for buying such property.
Like occupancy certificate, a commencement certificate is equally important. These certificates ensure that the property or the project the buyer is investing in have fulfilled all necessary requirements and approvals and protects the buyers from all kinds of legal future in future.