[Magazine Article LexpressProperty 68 (April - May)]
Getting your house built is often a headache, especially given the never-ending process of obtaining permits from various authorities. Here are the key steps to help you forget about the administrative hassles.
Procedures
There are challenging statutory requirements that must be met before construction begins. First, you must determine whether the land is classified as residential and not agricultural. If not, an application must be made to the Ministry of Agro-Industry for a land conversion permit.
In order to divide a plot of land into two or more lots, a subdivision permit must be obtained from the Ministry of Housing and Lands. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or a Preliminary Environmental Report (PER) is required for certain specific projects. An application for this must be made to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. Before construction begins, an application for a building and land use permit must be made to the municipality or district council, as appropriate. For construction projects of more than 150 m2 in area, the application can be made online by a registered architect or engineer. Upon receipt of a complete application, an effective date is issued and the building permit is determined within 14 days.
Utilities
Each application for a building permit requires permission from the utilities, including the Central Water Authority, the Central Electricity Board and the Wastewater Management Authority. Plots of land within parcels do not require these approvals.
It is recommended that permission be obtained from the Mauritius Fire Services and Rescue Services to ensure that safety regulations are met. As soon as the construction is completed, the municipality or district council should be informed of the completion of the work so that a certificate of compliance can be issued. With all these documents in hand, it is now time to start digging.
