When selling or buying a newly built or newly converted property, most lenders providing finance to the seller or buyer will expect valid certification to verify that the building is safe and completed to the proper regulatory standards.

One such document is the Professional Consultants’ Certificate or PCC, previously known (and often still referred to) as a Council of Mortgage Lenders Certificate or CML Certificate.

This certificate is signed by a professional consultant such as an engineer, architect, or surveyor, who warrants that the property was built according to the specifications in the original plans and meets all relevant safety requirements.

It typically offers 6 years of cover and relies on the consultant’s professional indemnity insurance if a claim needs to be made during this period.

While it doesn’t offer the same level of cover as a Structural Warranty, many smaller construction companies or self-builders prefer the CML Certificate because it is usually cheaper.

So, if you’re looking for a CML Certificate or PCC, where can you get one?

How to apply for a CML Certificate

To get a CML Certificate, you will need to find a chartered surveyor or other professional consultant who provides this service and is qualified to assess the construction project and sign the certificate.

This means you must look for a professional consultant who is registered with an accredited organisation, such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), for example.

The safest bet when searching for a CML Certificate provider is to check who is registered with the Council of Mortgage Lenders – which is now called UK Finance.

Those who have been approved by the CML/UK Finance are qualified to provide CML Certificates or PCCs, which are likely to be accepted by most banks and building societies in the UK that are also partnered with UK Finance.

However, not all lenders may accept them, so it’s important to check with both the lender and the CML Certificate provider before committing to the application.

Can you switch from a CML Certificate to a Building Warranty?

While some self-builders and small companies choose a CML Certificate to start with to keep costs down, they – or the property buyers – may want more extensive coverage to protect them financially against the risks of latent defects.

That’s why some opt to switch to a Building Warranty, also known as Latent Defects Insurance, later on. It can be helpful to know that this an option if you’re indecisive at the start.

Whether you want a CML Certificate or a different type of building cover, it’s best to go to a warranty provider who offers a variety of options – such as Architects Certificate.

Their certificates are accepted in the UK by almost all high street banks and building societies, so you can be confident that your loan is likely to go ahead as planned.

Additionally, they are happy to upgrade their PCCs to their leading ABC+ Warranty on request – so why not get in touch with them to apply for your CML Certificate?