What happened

An extension was finished, signed off practically, and the family moved in. The Completion Certificate did not arrive. When chased, Building Control listed five outstanding items — none of them physical work, all of them paperwork.

How it was discovered

When the homeowners tried to remortgage. The mortgage offer was withheld pending the certificate.

The consequences

Six months of letters to the builder, the engineer and the gas installer. Eventually all the trade certificates were assembled and Building Control issued.

What homeowners can learn

Do not pay the final invoice until the certificate is in your file. Leverage disappears with the cheque.