Certificate of occupancy

By Borja Gorina, Dani Fàbregas and Eric Salgado

What is a Certificate for occupancy?

• A certificate of occupancy is a document issued by a local government agency certifying a building's compliance with applicable building codes.

• The purpose of obtaining a certificate of occupancy is to prove that, according to the law, the house or building is in livable condition.

• Generally, such a certificate is necessary to be able to occupy the structure for everyday use, as well as to be able to sign a contract to sell the space and close on a mortgage for the space.

• Translation into Spanish: “Cédula de habitabilidad”

Certificate of occupancy

• The certificate of occupancy, which expires after 15 years, is compulsory for all homes.

• This document is needed when asking for the supply of different services to your home or office: Water, Natural gas, Electricity, Telephone line, …

The minimum flat:•Minimum square meters are 20m2, there should be a room (>=10m2) and a toilet•Ceiling height >= 2,2m•Access door with >=70cm•Corridor width >= 90cm•There should be one window to an open space•Direct entrance from the street•Floor should be paved

In Le Havre, France, part of the University housing is made up of recycled containers, that offer

25m2 for each student

Kitchen and living room minimum conditions

•There should be a kitchen equipped with a cooking space and a sink. •There should be possible to install a washing machine.•There should be ventilation and an extractor hood.•Hot and cold water pipes, and waste water pipes.

In a small apartment, kitchen, living room and bedroom share a common space

Toilet minimum conditions

•In the bathroom there must be a toilet, sink and bathtub or shower.•The rational distribution of a bathroom with minimum dimensions must take in account the distances between each fixture.