The partial acceptance procedure is becoming increasingly relevant for builders who wish to use or register a building before it is fully completed. This method allows for the legal use of real estate even if not all construction work has been completed. However, this is not a temporary solution “in case of emergency,” but a regulated procedure subject to specific legal requirements.
The process of completion and registration of construction is regulated by the Construction Law and Technical Regulations for Construction, therefore, in order to avoid mistakes or possible disputes with the registration authorities, it is necessary to know exactly when partial acceptance is possible, what the conditions are and what documents are required.
“Partial acceptance allows for rational planning of the construction process, but it is not a way to avoid responsibility or requirements,” says Dainius Kamaitis, construction law expert.
What is partial acceptance and how does it differ from 100% acceptance?
During partial acceptance, the building is considered partially completed, which means that it already meets some of the essential requirements for registering the construction with the Register Center and even using the building, but not all of the project solutions have been completed.
Unlike in the case of 100% completion, where the project must be fully implemented and all construction work completed, a lower percentage of completion applies to partial acceptance. Most often, this ranges from 85% to 97%, but the specific figures are assessed by cadastral measurement specialists and institutions.
“Partial registration of the completion of a building does not mean that construction is complete – it is only one of the stages,” says Vytautas Marcinkevičius, lawyer.
When can partial completion of a house be registered?
Partial completion of construction is only possible when there is a clear legal, technical, and design basis for it. This is not a random or arbitrary procedure – the requirements are precisely defined in the applicable legislation.
Design basis – phased construction
The main criterion is the phased construction process, which must be planned and clearly designed at the technical design stage. The designer must indicate which parts of the building will be completed first, how they will function, and what connections (electricity, water supply, heating, sewage) will be installed at each stage.
For example:
- If the project provides for the first floor to be fully equipped with a separate entrance and engineering communications, it can be registered separately as a partially completed part of the building.
- The registration of other floors or extensions would be carried out separately when their construction work is completed.
This practice of phased construction is widely used in the construction of individual houses, semi-detached houses, and small apartment buildings.
Technical compliance – independent use
The Technical Regulation for Construction STR 1.05.01:2017 clearly states that each partially registered part of a building must:
- have a completed external structure – roof, walls, windows, doors;
- be safe to use – have functioning electrical installations, plumbing, and heating (if provided);
- have entrances and exits;
- be independent from other parts of the building in terms of operation.
This means that the resident or user can legally live in or use that part of the building even if the rest of it isn’t finished yet.
“Each part you want to register must be safe and function as a separate building – this is not a compromise, it is a requirement,” says Donatas Vaišnoras, construction inspector.
Legal basis – legislative framework
Partial registration of completion must be based not only on the technical design but also on legal acts.
According to Article 28(3) of the Construction Law, if a building is designed in stages and a building permit has already been issued, each stage may be completed and registered separately. In this case:
- The declaration of completion of construction or the act of completion of construction shall be prepared only for the part that has already been completed;
- if the building was constructed with a permit, the expert’s conclusion becomes mandatory, even for partial completion;
- the entire procedure is carried out through the Infostatybos system.
This process is clearly regulated by STR 1.05.01:2017 and further expanded in the comments provided in the explanations of the Ministry of the Environment and the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate.
What documents are required for partial commissioning of a house
Although partial commissioning is considered a simpler procedure than 100% completion, the documentation required remains strictly regulated. The set of documents may vary depending on whether the construction was carried out with or without a permit, but the main elements remain similar.
Mandatory documents:
- Declaration of completion of construction – completed via the Infostatybos system if no permit was required for construction. The declaration states that the work complies with the project stage.
- Construction completion certificate – when a construction permit was required and the object falls within the scope of mandatory expert examination. In this case, a construction commission is invited.
- Expert opinion confirming that:
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- the completed part of the building complies with technical requirements,
- the necessary engineering networks have been installed,
- and the building is safe to use.
- Building cadastral data file – only if you want to register the completed part in the Real Estate Register.
- Description of design solutions or a certificate of the design stage – to make it clear that only partial completion is currently being formalized.
- Photographic evidence – photos showing the actual appearance of the completed part of the building.
“If you do not have an expert’s opinion or cannot ensure that part of the project is used independently, the Register Center may refuse to register it,” says Rasa Mažeikienė, real estate lawyer.
Partial commissioning in practice: common mistakes and tips
Formalizing the partial completion of a building often seems simpler than full submission, but in practice, various challenges arise. The most common problems arise from inadequate documentation, an unclearly formulated project, or a lack of understanding of when partial submission is permitted.
Most common mistakes
1. Unjustified division of stages – builders often mistakenly believe that they can “choose” which part to commission at any time. However, if the project has not been prepared in advance with clear stages (e.g., separate buildings or floors with independent engineering systems), partial acceptance becomes impossible.
2. Lack of expert opinion – even for a partial part of a building, if a permit was required, it is necessary to have an expert opinion on the compliance of that part with all technical and safety requirements.
3. Inconsistent documents – builders often submit inaccurate or outdated documents (e.g., outdated declarations), which results in the refusal to register part of the building in the real estate register.
4. Attempt to register a non-functional part – the completed part must have at least minimal functional independence: an entrance, sanitary facilities, electricity and water supply. Otherwise, the Register Center may refuse to register it as part of the object.
Practical advice
- Before designing, discuss with the architect whether it is possible to constructively divide the project into parts that could be added separately.
- Consult an independent expert before starting construction so that you know what you will need to prove at each stage.
- Keep an eye on changes in legislation, as the regulations on partial commissioning may be amended (e.g., in 2024, there were changes in the interpretation of the concept of functionality).
“The possibility of partial commissioning is useful, but only when the project is properly prepared for it. Spontaneous decisions are usually expensive and ineffective.” – Tomas Bagdonas, construction law expert.
Need help?
If you are considering partial commissioning of your house and don’t know where to start, contact the stav.lt team. Our specialists will help you assess whether your project is suitable, prepare all the necessary documents, and smoothly navigate the entire administrative procedure. We answer questions, communicate with the municipality, and help you avoid mistakes that can cost you time and money.