---
title: "The Certificate of Fitness for Use (SLF): Why It Matters for New Homes and Shophouses"
description: "An SLF certifies a building is fit for its intended use, issued after the PBG and construction. What buyers of new homes and shophouses should ask about it."
url: "https://vorneo.id/en/artikel/sertifikat-laik-fungsi-slf/"
lang: "en"
image: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1647579350413-a6ada4e480ed?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1280&q=70"
---

# The Certificate of Fitness for Use (SLF): Why It Matters for New Homes and Shophouses

Vorneo Property · [Legal & Documents](https://vorneo.id/en/artikel/topik/legalitas/) · 2026-10-25

When buying a new house or a shophouse (ruko), buyers usually focus on the land certificate and the building approval, the PBG (Persetujuan Bangunan Gedung). One more document tends to slip past: the certificate of fitness for use, the SLF (Sertifikat Laik Fungsi).

The SLF rarely comes up when buying a family home, but it can surface later, when a bank values the collateral, when the building is used for business, or when there's a structural problem. This guide explains what an SLF is, when it's needed, and what to ask as a buyer.

## What an SLF is

An SLF is a certificate from the regency or city government stating that a building is fit to be used for its intended purpose. Fitness is judged against technical requirements such as structural safety, fire safety, health, comfort and accessibility.

Since Indonesia's building rules were updated, the old building permit, the IMB (Izin Mendirikan Bangunan), has been replaced by the PBG. Under the new system the two documents work as a pair:

1. The PBG comes before construction. It approves the building's technical plans.
2. The building is built to the approved plans, under supervision.
3. Once it's finished, the building is inspected for fitness for use.
4. If it passes, the SLF is issued.

Applications generally go through the building management information system, SIMBG (Sistem Informasi Manajemen Bangunan Gedung), and are processed by the office that handles buildings in the regency or city. The office's name varies from place to place. The PBG is explained in full in our guide to [the PBG that replaced the IMB](/en/artikel/mengenal-pbg-pengganti-imb/).

## Why the SLF matters to a buyer

A PBG only proves the plans were approved. An SLF shows the building that actually stands there has been inspected and found fit. For a buyer, that's extra assurance the house or shophouse wasn't thrown together.

Situations where an SLF may be asked for:

- A bank valuing collateral. Some banks ask for the PBG and SLF on new homes, especially for a home loan (KPR) on a recently finished building.
- Business use. A shophouse used as a shop, office or clinic may run into business licensing, insurance or inspections that ask about the building's fitness.
- Reselling. The next buyer, or their bank, may ask for the same papers.
- A change of use. A house converted into a boarding house, shop or office may need a new PBG and SLF for its new function.

## New homes from developers

The developer is responsible for getting the PBG and SLF for what it builds. In practice, some houses are handed over before the SLF is issued, or the SLF is obtained in phases across an estate. Questions worth asking:

1. Has the PBG been issued for this house type and unit? Ask for a copy.
2. Has the SLF been issued, or when will it be?
3. Who pays for obtaining the SLF?
4. Does the house as built match the PBG drawings? An extra floor or extension that isn't in the drawings can hold up the SLF.

Write the developer's obligation to deliver the SLF, with a deadline, into the conditional sale agreement, the PPJB (Perjanjian Pengikatan Jual Beli). Other checks on developers are in our guide on [checking a developer's legal standing](/en/artikel/cek-legalitas-pengembang/). If you're buying off plan, see also [off-plan or ready-built homes](/en/artikel/beli-rumah-inden-atau-ready/).

## Shophouses and business premises

With shophouses the SLF comes up more often than with family homes, because more people use the building and the stakes are higher. Points to watch:

- The function stated in the PBG and SLF should match how you plan to use the building. A mixed-use shophouse is not the same as a residential-only building.
- Adding floors or a mezzanine, or removing structural walls after the SLF is issued, can leave the building out of line with its SLF.
- Check the validity period written on the SLF. Some buildings need their SLF renewed periodically.

If you're buying a shophouse as an investment, our guide to [investing in shophouses](/en/artikel/investasi-ruko/) covers the considerations beyond the building papers.

## Resale homes and older buildings

Many houses in Banjarmasin and Banjarbaru were built long before the PBG and SLF rules existed. An IMB that was already issued remains valid. With resale homes you'll usually see an IMB, or sometimes no building document at all.

Resale homes have often been renovated several times too: the kitchen pushed out the back, the front porch closed in as a bedroom, or a second floor added. Compare the house as it stands with the drawings in the old IMB, if the owner still has them.

An older house without an SLF isn't automatically a problem. But if you plan to use it for business, change its function, or finance it through a bank that asks for an SLF, the building may need one. Ask the local office what's required before you buy with plans like these.

## Checking an SLF you're shown

If a seller or developer shows you an SLF, don't stop at the letterhead and stamp. A few things you can match yourself:

1. The address and location match the property you're buying.
2. The building's function matches how you plan to use it, residential or business.
3. The floor area and number of storeys match the building as it stands now.
4. The owner or applicant name makes sense, such as the developer or the seller.
5. The issue date and validity period.

If anything looks off, ask the issuing office, taking the document number with you. On a housing estate an SLF is sometimes issued for several units at once, so make sure yours is covered.

## An SLF doesn't replace your own inspection

An SLF says a building was fit when it was inspected. After that it can change through renovation, poor maintenance or ground settlement. On the soft, swampy soil found across much of Banjarmasin, buildings can settle gradually. Still inspect the physical condition yourself, or bring someone who knows buildings. What to look for is in our guide to [signs of a well-built house](/en/artikel/tanda-rumah-berkualitas/).

## Wrapping up

For new homes and shophouses, ask about the PBG and SLF together, get copies, check the function and drawings against the actual building, and write the developer's obligations into the PPJB. For older houses, make sure the existing building papers fit how you plan to use the place. For local requirements and procedures, ask the office that handles buildings in your regency or city.

If you're weighing up a new house or shophouse in South Kalimantan, the Vorneo Property team can help you check the building documents.

## Common Questions

### What is the difference between a PBG and an SLF?

A PBG (Persetujuan Bangunan Gedung) approves the technical plans before a building goes up. An SLF (Sertifikat Laik Fungsi) is issued after the building is finished and inspected, and states it's fit for its intended use. PBG first, SLF after.

### Does a new house from a developer need an SLF?

Buildings, houses included, are in principle meant to have an SLF before they're used. In practice, some houses are handed over before the SLF is issued. Ask the developer about its status, get a copy, or write the developer's duty to obtain it into the PPJB.

### Does an older house with an IMB need an SLF?

A building permit (IMB) issued before the PBG rules remains valid. For some purposes, such as a change of use or a bank or business licence requirement, an older building may be asked to get an SLF. Check with the office that handles buildings in the local regency or city.

## Related Articles

- [AJB Costs and PPAT Fees: The Breakdown and Who Pays](https://vorneo.id/en/artikel/biaya-ppat-dan-akta-jual-beli/)
- [KDB, KLB and GSB Explained: How Much Can You Build on Your Land](https://vorneo.id/en/artikel/kdb-klb-dan-gsb/)
- [NJOP, Market Price and Bank Appraisal: The Difference and When Each Is Used](https://vorneo.id/en/artikel/njop-harga-pasar-dan-appraisal/)

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "Article",
      "headline": "The Certificate of Fitness for Use (SLF): Why It Matters for New Homes and Shophouses",
      "description": "An SLF certifies a building is fit for its intended use, issued after the PBG and construction. What buyers of new homes and shophouses should ask about it.",
      "datePublished": "2026-10-25T00:00:00.000Z",
      "dateModified": "2026-10-25T00:00:00.000Z",
      "author": {
        "@type": "RealEstateAgent",
        "@id": "https://vorneo.id/#agency",
        "name": "Vorneo Property",
        "url": "https://vorneo.id/"
      },
      "image": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1647579350413-a6ada4e480ed?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1280&q=70",
      "inLanguage": "en-US",
      "publisher": {
        "@type": "RealEstateAgent",
        "@id": "https://vorneo.id/#agency",
        "name": "Vorneo Property",
        "url": "https://vorneo.id/",
        "logo": {
          "@type": "ImageObject",
          "url": "https://vorneo.id/icons/icon-512.png",
          "width": 512,
          "height": 512
        }
      },
      "mainEntityOfPage": "https://vorneo.id/en/artikel/sertifikat-laik-fungsi-slf/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "FAQPage",
      "mainEntity": [
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "What is the difference between a PBG and an SLF?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "A PBG (Persetujuan Bangunan Gedung) approves the technical plans before a building goes up. An SLF (Sertifikat Laik Fungsi) is issued after the building is finished and inspected, and states it's fit for its intended use. PBG first, SLF after."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Does a new house from a developer need an SLF?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Buildings, houses included, are in principle meant to have an SLF before they're used. In practice, some houses are handed over before the SLF is issued. Ask the developer about its status, get a copy, or write the developer's duty to obtain it into the PPJB."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Does an older house with an IMB need an SLF?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "A building permit (IMB) issued before the PBG rules remains valid. For some purposes, such as a change of use or a bank or business licence requirement, an older building may be asked to get an SLF. Check with the office that handles buildings in the local regency or city."
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```