The Abu Dhabi government has introduced a new certificate programme aimed at improving building quality and safety. The Building Occupancy and Legalisation Certificate Programme is designed to ensure regulatory compliance, ultimately enhancing real estate value and protecting long-term investments. By implementing precautionary maintenance schedules, the programme will extend the design life of buildings, safeguarding investments and increasing property value. This approach also reduces expenditure by minimizing the need for emergency repairs.
Residents' quality of life will benefit as the programme supports the enforcement of construction regulations and fosters a transparent legal environment for construction and occupancy activities. This will facilitate real estate transactions, promote sustainable construction practices, and reduce buildings' environmental impact. The programme will be rolled out in three stages. The first stage involves issuing a Conditional Occupancy Certificate, focusing on compliance with essential standards such as fire safety, gas installation safety, structural integrity, elevator safety, and child protection measures. During this stage, buildings are exempted from meeting the remaining standards, allowing for a gradual transition to full compliance.
Existing residential villas are exempted from the initial and subsequent stages' requirements for a full occupancy certificate, except for villas that have exceeded their design life and pose safety risks to residents. This flexible approach allows for tailored solutions to address the unique challenges of each property.
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