Is a completion certificate the same as a guarantee or warranty?

No. The completion certificate simply confirms that, as far as the Council have been able to ascertain, the work on-site complies with the current Building Regulations. This means that inspections will have been carried out at the appropriate times, and that any problems found were put right.

If you are buying a new or altered property, always make sure your solicitor checks that a completion certificate has been issued for the work. This is particularly important if we find defects later, it may be you who is responsible for correcting then rather than the previous owner.