Certificate of ownership
When a planning application is made for land that is not owned solely by the applicant, owners of the land to which the application relates must be informed.
Article 12 of the Town & Country Planning (Development Management) Procedure Order 2010 requires that planning applications are accompanied by a certificate confirming either that the applicant is the sole owner of all the land to which the application relates, or that notice has been served on all person(s) that are an owner of the land or a tenant.
Owners are people having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years. This means that there can be more than one owner. In addition, the application may relate to more than one piece of land, so notice may have to be given to several people.
A written notice must be served on all owner(s) that the applicant knows the names and addresses of, telling them that the application is being made. Where the applicant has taken reasonable steps to ascertain the names and addresses of owner(s), but has been unable to do so, then an advert must be taken out in the local press.
The applicant must then confirm to the local authority that the owner(s) have been informed on a ‘certificate of ownership’ or ‘ownership certificate’(an article 12 certificate):
- If the applicant is the only owner of the land, certificate A is submitted.
- If the applicant is not the only owner, and the names and addresses of all the other owners are known, certificate B is submitted.
- If the applicant is not the only owner, but only the names and addresses of some of the other owners are known, certificate C is submitted.
- If the applicant is not the only owner, and they do not know the names and addresses of any of the other owners, certificate D is submitted.
Failure to follow this procedure may make a planning application invalid, or may even make a planning permission invalid. It is an offence to knowingly complete a certificate of ownership incorrectly.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Certificates in the construction industry.
- Conservation areas.
- Detailed planning application.
- How long does it take to get planning permission.
- Listed buildings.
- National Planning Policy Framework.
- National Planning Practice Guidance.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- Outline planning application.
- Permitted development.
- Planning appeal.
- Planning authority.
- Planning conditions.
- Planning enforcement.
- Planning fees.
- Planning objection.
- Planning obligations.
- Pre-application advice.
- Title.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.