Construction Glossary
Defects Liability Period
Also known as DLP
Definition
The defects liability period, or DLP, is the time after practical completion during which the contractor must return to fix defects that appear. It is commonly six to twelve months on UK contracts. At the end of it, any remaining faults are made good and the final half of retention is usually released. It is sometimes called the rectification or defects correction period.
Once the building is handed over and in use, some defects only show up over time. The DLP is the agreed window in which the contractor is obliged to come back and put them right at their own cost.
At the end of the period a final inspection takes place, outstanding items are dealt with, and a certificate is issued that typically releases the remaining retention.
Why it matters
The DLP means a job is not truly finished at handover. You need to allow time and cost for return visits, and you should track the period so you apply for your final retention when it ends. Ignore it and you risk losing both money and goodwill.
We flag retention and defects period costs in your estimate so the obligations after handover are planned for, not a nasty surprise.
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