If the building license has not expired, it does not mean that it can be used legally. You must obtain a use license to legally move in or operate.

If the building license has not expired, the house cannot be legally used. (File photo)

When buying or building a house, we often hear the words "builder's license" and "use license", but what is the difference between the two? If the building license has not expired, does the house mean it can be used legally? The Industrial and Commercial Development Office of Miaoli County Government reminds that even if the construction license is still valid, or even if the construction period is extended due to policies, it only means that the construction period has been extended, and it does not mean that the building has been legally completed, let alone a use license. After the building is completed, it must still apply for and obtain a use license in accordance with the law before it can be used legally.

Zhan Caiping, director of the Industrial and Commercial Development Department, said that according to the "Construction Law", construction licenses include four types: construction licenses, miscellaneous licenses, user licenses and demolition licenses. Among them, the most common thing that causes confusion among the public is the "construction license" and the "use license". The two have different uses and legal effects.

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To put it simply, a "construction license" is commonly known as a "construction license". It is a construction permit approved by the competent construction authority before a building is newly built, added to, renovated or constructed; a "use license" is commonly known as a "use license". After the building is completed, it will be issued by the competent construction authority as proof of legal use after the completion inspection confirms that it complies with the approved plans and relevant laws and regulations.

In other words, getting a building permit does not mean that the house has been completed, nor does it mean that it can be used directly and legally. Generally, after a new building obtains a construction license, it must declare the start of construction in accordance with the law, and conduct construction inspections of each floor in accordance with regulations; after the project is completed within the approved time limit, the builder must also apply for completion inspection together with the contractor and construction supervisor. Only after review and compliance with regulations can a use license be issued.

The usage license is also very important to the public. After the building has obtained a usage license, it can handle the first registration of building ownership and business registration in accordance with the law, and accordingly apply to the Taiwan Water Company and Taiwan Electric Power Company for formal access to water and electricity. Therefore, the construction license represents "can construct", and the use license is an important proof that legal procedures have been completed and that it can be used legally.

It is worth noting that in response to the recent shortage of workers, materials and changes in the financing environment in the construction industry, the Miaoli County Government announced in February this year that the construction period of all valid construction licenses and miscellaneous licenses in the county will be automatically extended by two years. However, the county government emphasized that this measure only extends the construction period and does not mean that the project has been completed, nor can it replace the use license. People and businesses should still distinguish the difference between the two.

In addition, even if the house has obtained a use license, it does not mean that it can be renovated later. The Utilization Management Division reminds us that in recent years, after obtaining the usage license, some buildings have been added, remodeled or carried out "secondary construction" without authorization, causing the actual usage to be inconsistent with the original approved plans. The county government has launched irregular inspections. If violations are found, it will be required by law to improve and restore the property to its original condition within a time limit. Depending on the violation, it will be placed under management or forced to be demolished.

Zhan Caiping appealed to the public not to think that the house can be used legally after seeing that the construction license is "still valid", and not to add or modify without authorization after obtaining the use license, so as to avoid public safety concerns and legal liabilities caused by illegal construction of originally legal buildings.

If the public has questions about the construction license, license status or application process of the house, they can go to the Global Information Network of the Miaoli County Government Industrial and Commercial Development Office, or call the 1999 county citizen service hotline and be transferred to the Construction Management Section of the Industrial and Commercial Development Office. They can also inquire in person at the service counter.