Who’s Responsible for Keeping Approved Building Plans? (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

Many homeowners assume the National Building Regulations requires municipalities to keep record of plan approval or that the City of Tshwane keep perfect, permanent records of every approved plan. The reality is different.The NBR doesn’t say who must keep plans — but in practice, the responsibility falls on the homeowner.Municipal archives only store what they can manage. Older plans may be missing, damaged, or never captured properly. And when you want to sell, renovate, finance, or legalise your property, it’s you, the owner, who must prove compliance.That’s why so many people come to We Do House Plans.We help when:

• Council records come up empty

• Plans were lost by previous owners

• Additions were never approved

• You want your property fully compliant and transfer-ready

We request old records, update missing drawings, check compliance, and prepare everything for submission — quickly, correctly, and professionally.Because the law may not spell it out, but the truth is simple:A compliant property starts with having the right plans in your hands.