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Stage 6 of 8

Preparation for acceptance and Act 15

Act Form 15 records that the construction is ready to be handed over by the builder and accepted by the developer. It is part of the path to final commissioning, but does not in itself authorize use.

Current topicPreparation for acceptance and Act 15
What to do now

Learn the difference between Act 15 and the final commissioning document before comparing offers.

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Where this stage fits

  1. 01 Land, planning and designBefore construction begins, clarify the rights over the land, the planning rules and the proposed design.
  2. 02 Building permitThe permit states what may be built, identifies the developer and lists the approved designs. It does not prove that construction has started or been completed.
  3. 03 Start of construction and foundationsAfter the opening of the construction site and the determination of the line and level, the work on the permitted construction begins - first on the excavation and the foundations.
  4. 04 Construction and Act 14Act Form 14 certifies acceptance of the structural frame. It is related to the concept of "rough construction", but the two do not always mean the same thing.
  5. 05 Finishing works and utility connectionsWork continues on the façades, building systems, common areas and utility connections. Even if the building looks finished, that does not mean it has been authorized for use.
  6. 06 Preparation for acceptance and Act 15With Act Form 15, the builder hands the construction and its documents to the developer, and its readiness for acceptance is recorded. This is not the final authorization for use.
  7. 07 CommissioningAccording to the category, the final document is a permit to use or a certificate of commissioning. The colloquial "Act 16" can mean a variety of things.
  8. 08 Property handover and maintenanceAt handover, the parties record the keys, the property's condition, meter readings and any observations. Maintenance and condominium obligations follow.

How this stage unfolds

What happens on site?

Visible construction work and the documents recording specific events are connected, but they are not the same thing. Check each separately.

Construction work

The construction has reached a stage at which the participants can compare the completed work with the approved designs, as-built documentation and applicable requirements. They also review the required inspections and test results for building systems and equipment.

Unfulfilled, incomplete or poorly executed works may be described in the act. Therefore, "has Act 15" should not be read as "no objections" or "everything is ready to move in". The text itself and the appendices are more important than the short message about the milestone.

For the buyer

Why does it matter to the buyer?

Act 15 is important because it shows that the construction has been presented for acceptance by the relevant participants and that the final administrative procedure is being prepared. For the buyer, the exact scope, signatures, recorded comments and any outstanding documents remain decisive.

If the contract links payment to Act 15, check whether the condition is defined as signing the act, receiving a copy, having no specified objections or something else. A public record alone cannot determine the amount or due date.

Who can help?

The construction supervisor, builder, developer and designers have different roles in preparing the act and accepting the work. An independent engineer can help the buyer understand the comments and actual condition.

The lawyer reviews the contractual meaning and your rights in case of incomplete or disputed performance. The competent authority conducts the closing procedure, but does not verify the contract for the buyer.

Next stage

What usually comes next?

The applicable procedure for a use permit or commissioning certificate follows, depending on the construction category. For some construction it includes a state acceptance commission and the Form 16 Protocol; for others, the final document and competent authority differ.

Track the exact type, issuer and scope of the final document. The colloquial phrase "we received Act 16" is not a sufficient description.

Before relying on this stage

What do you need to clarify?

Find out whether the act was signed for the entire construction or for a specific block, section, stage or sub-project. Check the date, participants, building permit and any recorded comments or outstanding work.

Then identify which procedure applies to the construction category and which steps remain. Ask whether an application has been submitted and what it covers; a submitted file is not the same as an issued final approval.

Before you continue

Checklist

Use this list when speaking with the seller or a specialist. A tick only records your progress; it does not verify the condition of the property or the works.

  1. 01

    Ask for the pages and attachments that show the subject, participants, date, signatures and any comments.

  2. 02

    Compare identifiers, building permit, block/stage, category and construction description.

  3. 03

    Ask which outstanding works are recorded, who must complete them and how completion will be documented.

  4. 04

    Find out what final document is applicable and whether a procedure has actually started for the exact scope.

  5. 05

    For payment, read your clause and request the specified proof before irreversible action.

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Sources

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This content is educational and does not replace a qualified professional's review of the documents for a specific property.

Version 2 · The content is published but has not yet been reviewed by a specialist.

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