Apply for a Building Information Certificate

A Building Information Certificate is a document sought if it is suspected work has been undertaken without the appropriate approvals being issued by Council or a registered certifier. A Building Information Certificate states that Council will not take any of the following action for a period of 7 years for the building covered by the certificate:

  • demolish, alter, add to or rebuild or;
  • resolve any encroachment by the building onto land under the control of Council.

A Building Information Certificate is usually requested by buyers or sellers of property before settlement to make sure that what is being bought or sold is not going to be the subject of action by Council.

Building Information Certificate application requirements

A Building Information Certificate application may be requested for either a part or whole of a building and may be requested by:

  1. The owner of the property;
  2. Another person, with the consent of the owner of the property;
  3. The purchaser of a property under a contract of sale (including the purchaser's solicitor or agent);
  4. A public authority that has notified the owner of its intention to apply for the certificate.

Submit an application

Step 1.Create an account or log-in

Head to the NSW Planning Portal to login. Or follow the prompts to create an account. 

Step 2.Apply

Once your account is set up, you can submit your applications via the portal.  

Complete the online application for a Building Information Certificate (BIC). See the guide on how to submit a BIC here.

Step 3.Upload your documents

There will be certain documentation that you will be required to lodge with your application.

Step 4.Lodge for review

Once the application is submitted through the Portal, an initial review will be carried out to check the information provided is sufficient for Council to accept.

If we need more information before the application can be accepted, an officer will contact you to request this information or for further clarification. Once adequate information is provided, the application can be accepted.

Step 5.Application is ready to be accepted

When the application has been reviewed and considered ready for lodgement, an invoice will be sent to you for payment of the associated fees.

Assessment of your application will not commence until the fees have been received by Council.

Step 6.Assessment of the application

Once fees have been paid, the application will be registered. Once we've received your application for a Building Information Certificate, we will inspect the building and review any relevant Council records and documentation submitted as part of the application.

 

If you need assistance using the Planning Portal, please view the Department's Help, Support and Training Page or you can call 03 5888 5100 for additional support.

 

Back to top