14 Dec 2025

Periodic Building Inspections – Obligations of the Owner and Property Manager

Date of last update: 14.12.2025

Maintaining buildings in proper technical condition is not only a matter of user comfort but, above all, a legal obligation defined in construction regulations. Owners and managers of buildings are required to meet a number of requirements related to inspections of the technical condition of properties, documenting inspections carried out, and responding to any defects and irregularities. The Construction Law Act and the regulation on technical conditions for the use of residential buildings precisely define the principles for maintaining existing building structures, imposing specific obligations on owners and managers with regard to systematic inspections and technical documentation.

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Responsibility of the Owner and Building Manager Under the Regulations

Every owner or manager of an existing building structure is responsible for maintaining the technical condition of the building at a level that ensures the safety of people and property throughout its period of use. The scope of this responsibility includes protecting the health and life of people inside the building, maintaining the required aesthetic condition of the building, and, in the case of buildings entered in the register of monuments, preserving values subject to conservation protection.
The owner or manager is also obliged to ensure that the building, its rooms, and building-related equipment are used in accordance with their intended purpose. All of these obligations arise directly from the provisions of the Construction Law and the regulation on technical conditions for the use of residential buildings, meaning that failure to comply may result in legal and financial consequences.

Periodic Inspections as a Key Indicator of Building Condition

The best indicators of a building’s condition are mandatory inspections of building structures and the building logbooks, which document all significant events and activities related to property maintenance. Periodic building inspections are divided into annual inspections, five-year inspections, and inspections carried out every six months in the case of large-area facilities.
Each of these inspections aims to verify the technical condition of individual building elements and installations, enabling early detection of potential problems and planning of necessary repairs or maintenance. Systematic performance of periodic inspections not only fulfills legal obligations but also protects owners from serious failures and higher repair costs that could arise from neglecting technical condition checks.

Documentation of Periodic Inspections and the Building Logbook

After a periodic inspection is completed, a report is prepared for the Building Supervision Authority and an entry is made in the building logbook. The building logbook is a key document accompanying each building throughout its entire period of use and contains information on all inspections carried out, construction works, failures, and other significant events related to the facility.
As of July 1, 2024, there is a requirement to maintain building logbooks in electronic form, which necessitates adapting existing paper documentation to the new legal requirements. Owners and managers who do not yet have electronic building logbooks must ensure their establishment or convert existing documentation into digital form in order to comply with applicable regulations.

Inspections in the Case of a Change of Use or Installation of Additional Equipment

A change in the use of a building or the installation of additional equipment often results in changes in loads, which consequently requires checking the structure’s ability to safely transfer new loads. An example of such a situation is the installation of photovoltaic systems on roofs, which introduces additional static and dynamic loads requiring verification of the load-bearing capacity of the roof structure and the entire building.
In such cases, a standard periodic inspection may be insufficient, and it becomes necessary to perform detailed structural calculations and a construction expert assessment confirming the safety of the structure after the changes. Owners planning to change the use of rooms or install additional equipment should consult appropriate specialists before commencing work to avoid legal issues and risks to user safety.

Procedures in the Event of Building Defects and Failures

During the use of a building structure, defects and failures may occur as a result of natural aging of construction materials, improper use, or neglected maintenance. In such cases, the Building Supervision Authority often initiates proceedings requiring the owner or manager to submit a construction expert assessment of the building.
A construction expert assessment provides a detailed analysis of the building’s technical condition, identifies the causes of problems, and indicates necessary repair or structural strengthening measures. An owner or manager required by the Building Supervision Authority to submit such an assessment must act immediately, as failure to respond may result in further legal consequences, including an order to suspend use of the building until irregularities are remedied.

Establishment and Maintenance of Building Logbooks

Establishing and properly maintaining a building logbook is another important obligation of property owners or managers. A building logbook must be maintained for every building and for building structures that are not buildings but for which a building design was prepared, as well as for structures entered in the register of monuments.
As of July 1, 2024, building logbooks must be kept in electronic form, which requires the use of appropriate IT systems enabling electronic documentation of all activities related to the building. Owners and managers who previously maintained paper documentation must adapt to the new requirements and ensure electronic record-keeping, which requires both appropriate technical tools and knowledge of how to properly complete electronic documentation.

Comprehensive Technical Building Services by METIB

METIB offers comprehensive technical building services, including all types of periodic inspections, preparation of reports for the Building Supervision Authority, entries in building logbooks, and establishment and maintenance of building logbooks, including the mandatory electronic building logbooks required as of July 1, 2024.
The company conducts annual inspections, five-year inspections, and semi-annual inspections for large-area facilities, providing professional documentation and technical consulting at every stage of property management. If irregularities are identified during periodic inspections, METIB also offers construction expert assessments and technical opinions, repair and structural strengthening designs, and representation of owners or managers before Building Supervision Authorities during administrative proceedings. A comprehensive approach to technical building services enables owners and managers to fulfill all legal obligations and ensure safe and compliant use of properties.

Summary

Periodic building inspections are a legal obligation of every property owner and manager, arising from the Construction Law and the regulation on technical conditions for the use of residential buildings. Systematic inspections of technical condition, maintenance of building logbooks, and responding to defects and failures are key elements of responsible property management.
As of July 1, 2024, building logbooks must be kept in electronic form, requiring adaptation of existing documentation to new regulations. Periodic inspections include annual inspections, five-year inspections, and semi-annual inspections for large-area facilities, and their results are documented in reports for the Building Supervision Authority and entries in building logbooks. In cases of changes in use, installation of additional equipment such as photovoltaic systems, or occurrence of defects and failures, a construction expert assessment and preparation of repair and structural strengthening designs may be required.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Periodic Building Inspections

What types of periodic inspections must be carried out in buildings?
Periodic building inspections include annual inspections, five-year inspections, and semi-annual inspections for large-area facilities. After each inspection, a report is prepared for the Building Supervision Authority and an entry is made in the building logbook.

What is the responsibility of a building owner or manager?
The owner or manager is responsible for maintaining the building’s technical condition at a level ensuring the safety of people and property, protecting health and life, maintaining aesthetic condition, and ensuring use of the building and equipment in accordance with their intended purpose.

Must the building logbook be kept electronically?
Yes. As of July 1, 2024, building logbooks must be kept in electronic form. Owners and managers must adapt their documentation to meet this requirement.

When is a construction expert assessment required?
A construction expert assessment is required in the event of building defects and failures, when changing the use of a building or installing additional equipment that alters loads, and when required by the Building Supervision Authority.

Does installing photovoltaic systems require checking the building structure?
Yes. Installing photovoltaic systems on roofs often changes loads, which requires checking the structure’s ability to safely carry new static and dynamic loads.

What happens if an owner does not carry out mandatory inspections?
Failure to conduct mandatory periodic inspections constitutes a violation of the Construction Law and may result in proceedings by the Building Supervision Authority and legal and financial consequences for the owner or manager.

What documents are created after a periodic inspection?
After a periodic inspection, a report is prepared for the Building Supervision Authority and an entry is made in the building logbook documenting the building’s technical condition and any recommendations.

Does changing the use of rooms require additional inspections?
Yes. Changing the use of a building often results in changes in loads, requiring structural verification and potentially detailed structural calculations and a construction expert assessment.