In certain cases, periodic technical inspections will no longer be required for second- and third-group public buildings and multi-storey multi-apartment residential buildings. This ensures that the regulation is proportionate and aligned with the needs of the sector.

On Tuesday, 3 March, the government approved amendments to Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 384 of 15 June 2021 “Construction Standard LBN 405-21: Technical Inspection of Structures.” The amendments define cases where periodic inspection is not justified – for example, if the building is not in use, has been conserved, its operation has been prohibited, or if renovation or reconstruction has been carried out within the last 10 years.

The amendments reduce administrative burden and eliminate formal inspections in situations where they do not provide added value in terms of improving safety or quality.

Several technical clarifications have also been introduced to more clearly define the scope of technical inspections. For example, buildings housing specific electrical installations of energy supply merchants are excluded from the scope, and it is clarified that the standard does not apply to lift safety assessments.

The adopted amendments also promote the up-to-date status of state-held information on the technical condition and energy performance of buildings. It is stipulated that during the inspection, an energy performance certificate must also be issued if the building does not have a valid certificate. This is particularly important given that, in practice, energy certification in Latvia is carried out to an insufficient extent, and the state lacks a reliable information base for planning building stock decarbonisation policies.

“The adopted amendments not only clarify the regulatory framework but also serve as an instrument for implementing the state’s energy efficiency policy, ensuring that technical supervision of buildings becomes more targeted, data-driven and oriented towards public safety and sustainability. At the same time, the administrative burden is significantly reduced, as we are removing the requirement to inspect buildings that do not pose a risk, introducing the principle of usefulness as a primary approach – periodic inspection will no longer be a formal requirement for all buildings, but only for those where it is objectively necessary,” emphasises Jurģis Miezainis, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economics.

The amendments will be binding on 6,460 real estate owners (natural persons) and 11,220 real estate owners (legal entities). They will also affect construction merchants and certified construction specialists who carry out periodic technical inspections.

Ministry of Economics
Public Relations Division
E-mail: san@em.gov.lv