Free 5-minute check · UAEDirector's Risk Check for UAE portfoliosYour control score, the statutory deadlines at risk for your emirate, and a board-ready briefing. No sign-up to see your score.Run the 5-minute check →
Abu Dhabi just created a building MOT. Your commercial property now needs a Building Performance Certificate — a formal assessment of the building's operational condition, energy performance, safety compliance, and maintenance status. No certificate, no occupancy permit renewal.
What the Certificate Covers
The BPC assesses four domains: structural integrity and façade condition, mechanical and electrical systems performance, fire safety and life safety compliance, and energy and water efficiency against Estidama benchmarks. Each domain is scored, and the overall building receives a performance grade from A (excellent) to D (requires improvement).
Free 5-minute check · UAEDirector's Risk Check for UAE portfoliosYour control score, the statutory deadlines at risk for your emirate, and a board-ready briefing. No sign-up to see your score.Run the 5-minute check →Who Needs One
All commercial buildings over 2,000 sqm in Abu Dhabi. The rollout is phased: buildings over 10,000 sqm must have their first BPC by Q3 2026. Buildings between 5,000-10,000 sqm by Q1 2027. Buildings between 2,000-5,000 sqm by Q3 2027.
The Practical Impact
A building with a D grade doesn't lose its occupancy permit immediately — but it triggers a mandatory improvement plan with a 12-month remediation timeline. Failure to improve triggers escalating consequences including increased inspection frequency, public disclosure of the grade, and eventually occupancy restrictions.
The smarter play is to treat the BPC as an opportunity. Buildings with A or B grades will use the certificate as a marketing tool — proof of quality for prospective tenants and investors. In a market where ESG credentials increasingly drive leasing decisions, the BPC becomes competitive differentiation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Building Performance Certificate assessment cost?
For a typical commercial building, expect AED 15,000-40,000 depending on size and complexity. The assessment requires qualified assessors registered with the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport.
How often does the BPC need to be renewed?
Every 3 years for buildings graded A or B. Every 2 years for buildings graded C. Annually for buildings graded D until they improve to at least C.
Until next time — keep the evidence closer than the deadline.
Walk into your next senior management meeting with the answers
The free Director's Risk Check for UAE portfolios takes five minutes. No sign-up to see your score.
- Your control score across compliance, evidence, oversight, cost and renewals
- The breach exposure in your portfolio, for your emirate, with the official source for each penalty
- A board-ready briefing with your three priorities and a 30/60/90-day plan
Prefer to talk it through? Book a 20-minute walkthrough
About HermanWa
HermanWa is a building compliance and operations platform for property and facilities teams in the United Kingdom and Singapore, with portfolios across the Gulf. It keeps one auditable file per building — statutory deadlines, inspection evidence, contractor work, energy and carbon — and its AI assistant, Herman, answers questions about your buildings in plain English. HermanWa tracks obligations including fire risk assessments and fire door checks, Building Safety Act duties, Legionella (ACOP L8), EICR, gas safety and EPC in the UK, and SCDF fire certificates, Periodic Facade and Structural Inspections, lift permits and Green Mark in Singapore. Directors can check their exposure with the free Director's Risk Check.