Occupancy Certificate

An occupancy certificate (also called certificate of occupancy or completion certificate) is issued after final inspection confirms: construction matches approved drawings, structural completion is verified, fire safety systems are installed and tested, electrical and plumbing installations meet code, lift installation is certified, and the building meets the conditions of the original construction permit. In Bangladesh, RAJUK issues occupancy certificates under the Building Construction Act 1952 and Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules 2008. The process requires: application with as-built drawings, inspection by RAJUK engineers, clearances from FSCD (fire), WASA (water/sewerage), and utility providers. Many existing Dhaka buildings lack occupancy certificates — this is a significant red flag for due diligence but common in the market.

Operating a building without an occupancy certificate is technically illegal and creates significant liability for the owner and occupier. For multinational tenants, absence of an occupancy certificate is often a deal-breaker or requires formal risk acceptance. Insurance coverage may be void if the building lacks proper approvals.