Dec 12, 2016

Selling Property? Make Sure You Have a Compliance Certificate

A compliance certificate is a legal document issued by the City of Edmonton that certifies that all buildings and structures on your property meet the city’s zoning regulations and bylaws, and that they have the appropriate development permit. If there is any part of your property that is not compliant with zoning bylaws, or does not have the appropriate permits, the city will let you know what is wrong and what actions are available to you.

Compliance Certificates Serve Many Purposes

There are many reasons to get a compliance certificate. One of the most important reasons is the ability to successfully sell your property. While there is no legal requirement for you to have one, buyers, lawyers, lending institutions, and others will request a copy of it. Without it, they can delay or deny the sale of your property.

There are many other reasons to apply for a certificate. If someone wants to challenge the legality of your property, the compliance certificate will protect you because it proves your property was independently surveyed and reviewed by a city development officer.

Apply Online for Compliance Certificate

If you applied for a compliance certificate in the past, you probably submitted a paper application. The City of Edmonton recently made changes to this process and made it easy to submit your application online. Once your application is received, the city will work with your surveyor to obtain the appropriate documents like a Real Property Report, which is a requirement for your application.

Once the city has reviewed your request, a compliance letter will be emailed to you letting you know if your property and the buildings within your property comply, or if there are changes that need to be made.

Real Property Reports will no longer be “stamped” with approval from the city. Each Real Property Report, compliant or not, will come with a compliance letter.

If you prefer applying for the certificate the old fashioned way, the city continues to accept applications by mail. Simply print a copy of the paper form and return it to the Sustainable Development office. Unlike the online application, you must include two original copies of your Real Property Report and the land titles certificate as the city will not contact the surveyor on your behalf in this case. Once completed, the city will either call you for pickup of the documents or mail them out to you.

Don’t Forget to Get a Real Property Report

Definition

A Real Property Report is a legal document that shows accurate locations and dimensions of improvements, such as buildings, and their relationship to the property’s boundaries. Real Property Reports can also show the location of any rights-of-way or encroachments that may affect the subject’s property.

Benefits

Real Property Reports protect your investment. They are a transparent document that shows you the exact condition of the property which can help protect you from certain legal liabilities.

Only Surveyors Can Help You Prepare Real Property Report

Registered Alberta Land Surveyors are the only individuals who can legally prepare Real Property Reports. A valid Real Property Report must bear the original signature and permit stamp of the Alberta Land Surveyor. The City of Edmonton requires that all Real Property Reports be completed by an independent Alberta land surveyor.

Helpful Information Comes With Your Certificate

When the City of Edmonton issues a compliance certificate, you now receive easy-to-read information about how to make any non-conforming parts of your property compliant with city bylaws and regulations. This can be especially useful when you are applying for different city permits or establishing a fair value for your property.

Compliance Certificates Cost a Nominal Fee

Fees for compliance costs can add up depending on how quickly you want your certificate and whether you need it for a residential or commercial property. If you need a compliance certificate within three days, you must fill out the Additional Fees for Express Compliance form. Otherwise, it can take up to 10 business days for your compliance certificate to be processed.

Getting a compliance certificate is easy with the help of LN’s team. They can create the Real Property Report you need for your compliance certificate application and help you through the application process. For more information about costs, contact us to get started or visit our residential estimates page for more details.