All buildings in Indonesia are supposed to have a certificate of permitted use known as an SLF (Sertifikat Laik Fungsi) for the building. These replace the earlier building permit or IMB (Ijin Mendirikan Bangunan).

The SLF states the what a building can be used for and must be renewed ever 20 years for a residential building and every 5 years for a commercial building 

The SLF is a permit issued by the government that gives permission for the building to be used for a specific purpose or purposes. Categories of use are residential, religious, business, social and cultural, and special purposes.

The SLF has the following functions:

• To record the physical existence of a building.
• To ensure that the building is safe for use.
• To ensure that the building conforms with defined standards of safety, comfort, health, and convenience for its users.

Documentation is required that proves that the building is technically suitable for its purpose.

Notes

• If the function of the building is changed this must be reported, failure to do so can result in sanctions.
• Unlike the old IMB a building can now be certified to be used for more than one purpose.
• Unlike the old IMB, the SLF must be renewed every 20 years for residential buildings and every 5 years for other buildings.

If the SLF expires, the SLF it must be renewed before the building can be used again.