COMPLIANCE: UNDERSTANDING THE LAGOS STATE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AND FITNESS FOR HABITATION:
The Lagos State Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation is a mandatory legal document issued by the Lagos State Government to certify that a building or construction project has been completed in accordance with the relevant building codes, standards, and regulations, and is fit for habitation.
The establishment of this document is aimed at promoting the safety and welfare of residents in the state and preventing the occurrence of building collapses and other safety hazards that can result from substandard construction practices.
The issuance of the certificate confirms compliance of the building with the Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Regulation Law of 2019. The certificate is evidence that a building project has been completed to the required standard and that it meets all the necessary safety requirements. It is required for all residential and commercial buildings.
According to the Lagos State Government, this document must be obtained before a building or construction project can be occupied, sold, leased, or put to any other use in the state.
It is important to note that failure to obtain the certificate could result in penalties or fines from the Lagos State Government. Additionally, carrying out any form of renovation, alteration, or extension on a building without obtaining the certificate first is considered illegal and could lead to sanctions from the regulatory authorities.
To obtain the Lagos State Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation, the relevant building authorities are required to inspect the completed construction to ensure that it meets the prescribed standards for structural stability, fire safety, sanitation, ventilation, and other health and safety requirements.
The procedure typically involves the following steps:
1. Once the construction is completed, the Architect or Engineer is required to submit the necessary documentation including drawings, building specifications, and other relevant documents to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
2. LASBCA would carry out an inspection of the completed construction to ensure that it meets the prescribed standards for structural stability, fire safety, sanitation, ventilation, and other health and safety requirements.
3. After a successful inspection, LASBCA would issue a provisional Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation.
4. The property owner will then be required to submit the provisional certificate, along with necessary documentation including tax clearance certificates, evidence of ownership, and other related documents to the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP&UD).
5. The MPP&UD will verify the compliance of the construction with the Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Regulation Law of 2019, and issue the final Lagos State Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation.
It is important to note that the process may vary depending on the type of construction and the circumstances surrounding it. However, the above steps provide a general overview of the process of obtaining the Lagos State Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation.