Everything you need to know to obtain the final reception of your property in Chile

It is one of the most frustrating situations in the real estate market: you find the ideal buyer for your house, they sign the promise of sale, but weeks later everything collapses. The buyer's bank rejects the mortgage loan because the extensions you made years ago (or the entire house) do not have final acceptance. Suddenly, your property becomes "unsaleable" for the majority of the market.

Added to this anguish is the constant fear of inspections. Building without permits exposes you to severe fines from the Municipal Works Directorate (DOM), or in extreme cases, drastic demolition orders. Fortunately, this document, which functions as the "identity card" of your property, can be obtained. There are legal and technical ways, such as the monkey law, to regularize your situation and give your home the legal value it deserves.

Why is it urgent to obtain definitive reception?

Having the final reception up to date is not just another procedure, it is an investment that radically transforms the value and possibilities of your property. These are its main benefits:

• Sales through mortgage loans: is the number one requirement of banks. With this certificate, you open the door to 90% of buyers in the market who require financing, managing to sell faster and at the right price.
• Goodbye to fines and citations: you are freed from notifications, reports from the Local Police Court and the risk of facing demolition orders from the DOM.
• Commercial patents: If you want to start and establish a business on the property, or rent it for commercial purposes, having the final reception is an exclusive requirement to obtain the patent.
• Real increase in capital gains: a 100% regularized house is always appraised at a significantly higher commercial value than one that is outside the norm.

Do i need a prior building permit or can i use the "monkey law"?

The regular process: As a general rule, according to the General Law of Urban Planning and Construction, a "building permit" must always be processed and approved in the DOM before laying a single brick. Once the work is completely finished, and verifying that it was built exactly as approved in the plan, final acceptance is requested.

The lifesaving exception (monkey law): However, what happens if you already built without permission? Here the famous "monkey law" (Law 20,898 and its respective extensions) comes into play. This is a simplified and exceptional process created precisely for homes or extensions that are already built irregularly.

The great advantage of this law is that it allows the building permit and final reception to be processed simultaneously in a single folder, saving a lot of time, money and bureaucratic procedures. To benefit from this lifeline, strict requirements must be met, such as the demonstrable age of the construction, not exceeding certain maximum square meters, meeting minimum habitability standards and not being located in risk areas.

Final reception and dom faq

What basic requirements does the monkey law require to regularize my house?

Depending on the current extension, it is generally required that the home does not exceed 90 m² or 140 m² total, that the tax valuation does not exceed certain limits (e.g. 1,000 or 2,000 UF), not have pending claims and demonstrate that the construction was carried out before the deadline established by law.

What happens if my property is too large and does not qualify for the monkey law?

If your house or extension exceeds the limits of the monkey law, you must carry out a "regularization by the general law". This is a more extensive and rigorous process, since you must demonstrate that the current construction complies with all the current urban planning regulations of the Communal Regulatory Plan, without the flexibilities granted by the monkey law.

How long does the final reception process take at the municipal works department?

Times vary greatly depending on the municipality. A procedure through the monkey law, if the file arrives impeccable, can take between 2 and 6 months. A process under general law can easily extend between 6 and 12 months.

Is it mandatory to hire an architect for this process?

Yes, it is an insurmountable legal requirement. Every regularization file must necessarily have the signature and sponsorship of a competent professional (architect), who assumes technical responsibility for the plans, specifications and that the home complies with structural safety standards.

Regularize your house today and sleep peacefully

In conclusion, having the final reception up to date is the definitive and mandatory step to be the owner of a 100% legal, secure and fully tradable property in the real estate market. Avoiding this procedure only delays problems that, sooner or later, will break out when trying to sell or when faced with an inspection.

We know that dealing with the DOM, understanding the plans and deciphering the complex urban planning regulations is exhausting if you are not an expert on the subject. At Terreno en Regla we have a comprehensive team of architects and lawyers ready to evaluate whether your property qualifies for the monkey law or for the general regime. We take care of all the paperwork and technical headaches. Don't let a firm stop your projects! Contact us today to schedule an evaluation of your case.

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