Department of Municipalities and Transport Launches New Occupancy Certification Program

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi (DMT) has officially launched the Building Occupancy and Legalisation Certificate Programme, a key initiative under Administrative Decision No. (1) of 2024. This programme is designed to enhance the quality and safety of buildings, ensure compliance with regulations, and elevate the economic and social value of properties. By doing so, it aims to increase real estate values while protecting long-term investments.

This new initiative will safeguard real estate investments by extending the design life of buildings through precautionary maintenance schedules. By promoting regular upkeep, the programme is set to enhance property values and boost confidence in the real estate market. It will also help reduce future expenses related to emergency repairs. In addition, the programme is designed to improve residents' quality of life by ensuring that they live in safe environments that meet the highest safety standards. The DMT emphasized that this initiative will support the effective implementation of construction regulations and foster a transparent legal environment for construction and occupancy activities. This, in turn, will facilitate real estate transactions, encourage sustainable construction practices, and minimize the environmental footprint of buildings.

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To ensure a smooth implementation process, the programme will be rolled out in three stages, allowing for gradual compliance with the required standards. The first stage focuses on issuing a Conditional Occupancy Certificate, which prioritizes compliance with fundamental safety standards, including fire safety, gas installation safety, structural integrity, elevator safety, and child protection measures. Notably, during this initial stage, buildings will be exempt from meeting all remaining standards, making it easier for them to transition to full compliance.

Additionally, existing residential villas will be exempt from the requirements for a full occupancy certificate during the initial and subsequent stages, unless they have exceeded their design life and present safety risks to residents. This flexible approach is intended to address the unique challenges posed by different properties.

His Excellency Ahmed Al Kuwaiti, Executive Director of the Building Permits Workstream at the DMT, stated, “Our aim is to enhance confidence among residents and investors within the emirate through our commitment to deliver services that adhere to the utmost standards of security and safety, thereby fostering sustainable development.”

The DMT reiterated that the programme's ultimate goal is to elevate compliance levels within the construction and real estate sectors. Property developers and owners can look forward to benefiting from the streamlined procedures and clear timelines associated with each step of the certification process.