Why RPCs are needed when buying a property
If you are buying a property it is essential that you are fully aware of what you are purchasing, including any responsibilities and costs that go with it. Property certificates help to identify if there are any statutory provisions affecting the property and if any legal action has been taken or is pending by the council or other government bodies.
What’s included on a RPC
A regional property certificate provides information on:
- the planning history of the property
- confirms if the road adjoining the property is looked after by DfI Roads or is private and if there are any road works proposed which may affect the property
- confirms if a public water main serves the property
- confirms that the sewers are either maintained by NI Water or the property is served by a septic tank and that the necessary statutory consent for this is in place
- The details provided on the certificate are based on the information available to the consultees at the time of the enquiry.
Information relating to planning applications submitted before 1973 will not appear on the certificate.
Process of a regional property certificate
The certificates are administered by the Regional Property Certificates Unit (RPCU) in Fermanagh & Omagh District Council on behalf of all councils.
The RPCU check the property enquiry to ensure it is valid, acknowledge receipt and consult the following four authorities:
- Councils (Planning Offices)
- DfI Roads
- NI Water
- NI Environment Agency (Water Management Unit)
Once all replies have been received, the answers are put into a single regional property certificate. The certificate is then issued to the requesting solicitor.
Price of a regional property certificate
The fee for a regional property certificate relating to a single property is £60 (£50+VAT).
The fee for a regional property certificate relating to more than one property is £60 (£50+VAT) for the first property plus £7+VAT for each additional property.
Example: Regional property certificate enquiry relates to three properties
|
First property |
£50+VAT |
£60 |
|
Second property |
£7+VAT |
£8.40 |
|
Third property |
£7+VAT |
£8.40 |
|
Total fee due |
£64+VAT |
£76.80 |
The maximum number of properties per certificate is 25 or £261.60.
Applying for a regional property certificate
Regional property certificates are usually sought by solicitors on behalf of their clients who are buying or selling property.
A property enquiry form must be completed and submitted to the Regional Property Certificate Unit along with the correct fee and a map with the property clearly outlined in red.
The map should be an OSNI Address Centre Extract (ACE) or Land Registry map at the largest scale available (urban 1:1250/rural 1:2500). It must show Ordnance Survey sheet and plan number and the Irish Grid six figure reference number.
Cheques should be made payable to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and only one cheque submitted per application.
The address for the Regional Property Certificate Unit is:
Regional Property Certificate Unit
Fermanagh & Omagh District Council
2 Townhall Street
Enniskillen
BT74 7BA
For further advice, please telephone (028) 66 321 828 or e-mail propcerts@fermanaghomagh.com
Other property certificates
Regional property certificates do not deal with matters relating to the other functions of the councils. A separate certificate that covers the following areas can be sought from the local councils directly:
- Building Regulations
- Licensing
- Environmental Health
- Postal numbering
Please check the local council’s website for further details.