Contact

Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO)

En español: Certificado temporal de ocupación (TCO)

Definition

A temporary certificate of occupancy allows part of a building to be occupied before the whole project is finished, for a limited time and on stated conditions. It is granted when the occupied portion is safe and complete even though work continues elsewhere, and it expires.

How to read it
How to read it
  • It buys income early and it costs discipline. The remaining work has to finish while tenants are already living in the building.
  • It expires and can require renewal, sometimes with a fee or a bond. Treat it as a deadline, not as a permission.
  • Lenders and insurers read it carefully. Some will not fund or bind final coverage on a TCO alone.
  • In diligence, a TCO on an existing building is a question: what was never finished, and who is responsible for finishing it.

Terms arrive with the writing.

The glossary grows as the Journal does, one email when something worth reading goes up. No noise.

Unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.