Property certificates

What is a property certificate?

A property certificate is usually sought when a property is being purchased and will be requested by the solicitor acting on behalf of a prospective purchaser.

It enables a prospective purchaser to find out if there are any breaches of statutory provisions in relation to the property.

This certificate should only be applied for by solicitors for conveyancing purposes only .

This service does not cover issuing building control certificates associated with works at your address.

Types and cost of property certificates

Standard 10-year search costing (£100)

This is a search of Belfast City Council records for 10 years from the 1st January of the year in which the application was made.

Full search costing  (£135)

This is the most comprehensive certificate and is a search of all Belfast City Council records back to 28 October 1973. 

Specified 10-year search (£100)

This is a search of any 10 year period back to 1973 as specified by the applicant.

Follow up search (£43)

This is an extended search following a 10 year search. The search may cover a specified number of years or may go back to the 28th October 1973. This request must be made within 6 months of the 10 year search.  

How to apply

You can use our customer portal to submit, pay and track your property certificate applications.

Apply for a property certificate