In commercial letting, the question is no longer only location, price and area. Companies, especially large ones, now ask before signing: is the building ready in terms of safety? And they ask for documents to prove it. This is not a luxury or red tape; there are practical reasons related to the tenant's own licence, insurance and legal liability. An owner who prepares the building in advance lets faster and on better terms. This guide explains why tenants ask for a building safety certificate, what they look for, how owners prepare their buildings, and how responsibilities are split.
Why Does the Tenant Ask?
- Licensing: the facility's civil defense licence depends partly on the building's shared systems. A building without adequate exits or an alarm can hold up the tenant's licence. Read: Safety certificate or civil defense licence?.
- Insurance: insurers look at the condition of protection systems.
- Liability: the company is responsible for the safety of its staff and customers.
- Policies of large companies that require specific safety standards for premises.
What Does the Tenant Look For?
- A building permit and occupancy certificate. Read: When do you need a completion certificate?.
- Working alarm and fire-fighting systems with valid maintenance contracts.
- Emergency exits and evacuation maps. Read: Evacuation signs and escape routes.
- Technical reports or certificates proving readiness.
The Document File the Owner Provides
| Document | What it proves |
|---|---|
| Building permit and occupancy certificate | The building's legality and completion |
| Building safety certificate or compliance report | Readiness of protection systems. Read: The systems compliance report |
| Valid maintenance contracts | Systems kept in working order |
| Evacuation maps | Clear routes and exits |
| Maintenance and test log | Documented periodic follow-up |
How Does the Owner Prepare the Building?
- Assess the current condition with a technical report. See our technical safety reports service.
- Address the gaps, starting with what affects lives. Read: Old buildings and safety requirements.
- Periodic maintenance contracts; the Ministry of Municipalities' requirements state that maintaining fire systems is the owner's responsibility.
- A ready document file for tenants.
Splitting Responsibilities
| Item | Usually responsible |
|---|---|
| Shared building systems (stairs, exits, general alarm, standpipes) | Owner |
| The unit's internal equipment (extinguishers, detectors, signs) | Tenant, per the lease |
| Modifications carried out by the tenant | Tenant, with the owner's consent |
| Periodic maintenance of shared systems | Owner |
The actual split is set in the lease, so make sure it is clear.
The Benefit for the Owner
A ready building means faster letting, better tenants, fewer disputes, and a higher value on sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the owner obliged to equip the building's systems?
The ministry's requirements for warehouses and workshops, for example, state that installing and maintaining fire systems is the owner's responsibility; details of the split between owner and tenant are set in the lease.
What is the difference between building and facility documents?
Read: Safety certificate or civil defense licence?.
Can one tenant's licence be affected by another tenant's violations?
It can, if the violation affects shared systems or exits.
What if the tenant changes the activity?
The requirements change. Read: Changing a shop's activity.
How often is the document file updated?
With every renewal of maintenance contracts or licences, and after any modification to the building.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office in Riyadh that assesses your building's safety readiness, designs fixes for the gaps, and prepares compliance reports and the document file for tenants. See our building safety certificate service, or contact us.
Regulatory information is based on the Balady platform and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and procedures may be updated by the competent authority. Last reviewed: October 2026.