Latest news with #OccupancyCertificates
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Karnataka eases setback rules to promote stilt parking in Bengaluru
Aimed at optimising urban space and improving parking infrastructure, the Karnataka government has amended the Zonal Regulations under the Revised Master Plan (RMP) 2015 for Bengaluru, allowing flexibility in construction and other all-round development norms of buildings in the tech hub. The notification states that buildings — whether new, under construction, or undergoing modifications — may now convert their ground floor into stilt parking without the stilt floor height being counted towards the building's total height, provided the floor does not exceed 3 metres in height, up from less than 2.4 metres previously. Likewise, the maximum permissible height for certain building components, previously capped at 11.5 metres when stilt parking was included, has now been increased to 12 metres. The stilt floor shall be mandatorily used for vehicle parking. Commenting on the amendment, Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, convenor of the Karnataka Home Buyers Forum, emphasised that the government must ensure strict adherence to zoning regulations and building laws in all constructions. 'When they issue Occupancy Certificates (OC), the responsibility to enforce these rules lies squarely with them. By allowing exemptions on OCs and Completion Certificates (CC), we anticipate a rise in irregularities. It appears the government is shifting the burden of accountability onto homeowners. The Supreme Court has made it clear that if a government officer fails to ensure compliance, higher authorities must take action. These exemptions, in effect, allow the government to sidestep its own responsibility,' Padmanabhachar added. In cases where buildings up to 15 metres in height include stilt floors, the minimum required setbacks — or space between the building and the property boundary — are now more lenient, especially for plots smaller than 4,000 square metres. Setbacks for taller buildings, ranging from 18 to 50 metres and beyond, remain unchanged, ensuring that safety, light, and ventilation standards are not compromised. Kishan Govindaraju, executive director at Vaishnavi Group, noted the move will boost property values by ensuring well-spaced developments that enhance quality of life with better sunlight and airflow, aligning real estate growth with Smart City goals in high-density areas. The reworked regulation stated that any misuse of stilt floors is strictly prohibited, with violators facing legal action, including possible closure of the area. Furthermore, buildings found in violation will be denied utility connections by both Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). For non-residential buildings, if stilt floors are used for purposes other than parking, trade licences will be confiscated or not issued. Realtor BCD Group welcomed the state government's move, stating it will promote equitable living by ensuring adequate spacing between structures and creating more habitable, less cluttered urban spaces. 'This notification will guide the industry towards optimising land usage in order to provide sufficient open spaces for a variety of use cases, both necessary and leisure. We believe this incremental step will go a long way in reimagining Bengaluru for the future of tomorrow with sustainable development at its core,' said Angad Bedi, chief managing director of BCD Group.
Hindustan Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BBMP to launch online platform for Khata applications in 15 days; Urges citizens to avoid office visits or pay bribes
Bengaluru's municipal corporation, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), will roll out an online system for A-Khata applications within the next 15 days, officials said. The platform will enable citizens to apply for conversion from B-Khata to A-Khata, or submit a fresh application if they currently have no khata for their property. BBMP will launch an online system in 15 days for A-Khata applications, allowing B-Khata conversions and fresh applications, officials said. (Representational Image)(Unsplash) The government has issued a clear advisory to citizens, urging them not to visit BBMP offices. 'Do not bribe anyone. The system will be entirely online,' a statement issued by BBMP said. This digital-only route aims to eliminate the long-standing malpractices that have plagued the khata issuance process in the city for years, officials said A-Khata is an essential document for property owners in Karnataka, necessary for obtaining building approvals, loans, and ensuring full legal recognition of ownership. While A-Khata properties are considered legally compliant and tax-paid, B-Khata properties often fall under irregular or revenue layouts, limiting the owner's access to basic civic services and legal transactions. By enabling online applications, the BBMP seeks to overhaul a process that has traditionally involved prolonged delays. Officials said thousands of property owners across the city stand to benefit, particularly those in newly developed layouts or those struggling to get clear titles for resale and loan approvals. Also Read: 'B-Khata properties registered before Sep 30, 2024, are now A-Khata', says Karnataka deputy CM Until the system goes live, officials have advised the property owners to refrain from engaging with agents or visiting BBMP offices. This month, the Karnataka State Cabinet approved the regularisation of B-Khata properties issued by BBMP up to September 2024. This move upgrades them to A-Khata status, granting access to essential civic amenities and providing long-awaited legal clarity to property owners. 'When giving it, we will specify the parameters. If property owners comply with the parameters, then B-Khata will be issued,' Law Minister HK Patil said, addressing the reporters after the Cabinet meeting on July 18. Also Read: What Karnataka's move to exempt small plots from Occupancy Certificates means for Bengaluru's real estate market Experts say that once regularised, B-Khata property owners will get certificates granting legal status, enabling sales, bank loans, and mortgages previously not allowed. On July 14, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar posted on social media platform X that B-Khata properties registered before September 30, 2024, will be 'now A-Khata.''Good news for Bengaluru! The long wait is over; BKhata properties registered before September 30, 2024, are now 'A Khata.' This landmark reform ensures legal ownership, access to essential civic services, and finally puts an end to years of uncertainty. With this reform, we are bringing long- overdue order to the system and ensuring a more planned, inclusive, and empowered Bengaluru,' he wrote on X.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Two BDD chawl rehab buildings get Mhada OC
Mumbai: Two newly-built rehab buildings of the Worli BDD Chawl Redevelopment Project have received Occupancy Certificates (OC) from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada). The buildings have 556 units. Officials said these buildings are ready for possession, subject to a ceremonial takeover date. CM Devendra Fadnavis is likely to attend the programme. tnn
Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What Karnataka's move to exempt small plots from Occupancy Certificates means for Bengaluru's real estate market
In a move that could reshape building compliance norms across Karnataka, the state's Urban Development Department (UDD) has proposed exempting residential buildings constructed on plots measuring up to 1,200 square feet from the mandatory requirement of obtaining Occupancy Certificates (OCs). In a move that could reshape building compliance norms across Karnataka, the state's Urban Development Department (UDD) has proposed exempting residential buildings constructed on plots measuring up to 1,200 square feet from the mandatory requirement of obtaining OCs. (Representational Image)(Souptik Datta ) "Buildings up to ground + 2 floors or stilt + 3 floors on plots exceeding 1200 sq ft may be exempted from obtaining occupancy certificate (OC)," the proposal signed by Tushar Giri Nath, additional chief secretary at UDD and accessed by showed. The meeting, chaired by Giri Nath, recommended amendments to key legislations, including the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, and the model building regulations under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. The proposal to waive OCs for buildings under 1,200 sq ft has sparked a mix of relief and concern among builders, homeowners, and urban planners. While the exemption could ease regulatory burdens on thousands of small property owners, especially in Bengaluru's dense and unplanned neighbourhood, experts fear it may open the floodgates to unsafe, unregulated construction and further strain the city's fragile infrastructure. Also Read: Karnataka Cabinet approves regularisation of B-Khata properties in Bengaluru. Here's what it means for property owners What the proposed exemption means Occupancy Certificates are currently required to ensure a completed building adheres to approved plans, municipal by-laws, and safety norms. Without an OC, a property is technically unfit for occupation and is ineligible for utilities such as water and electricity from government agencies. However, many smaller buildings in Bengaluru and other urban areas are constructed informally, often without OCs, Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, director of the Karnataka Home Buyers Forum, pointed out. If approved, the exemption would essentially legalise properties, at least those on plots under 1,200 sq ft, offering relief to homeowners who struggle with compliance or whose builders failed to secure the necessary approvals. The move could also reduce red tape for first-time homebuyers or those constructing budget homes, experts say. Also Read: Good news for tenants: Rents may stabilise in 2025 as new supply and infra improve connectivity to peripheral locations Bengaluru needs better real estate regulation, say experts 'If you go to any locality in Bengaluru today, you will find that most buildings have some form of violation; they've deviated from the sanctioned plan in one way or another,' said Padmanabhachar, an expert familiar with the matter. 'As per the Supreme Court's directives, it is the responsibility of the city corporation to regulate and take action against such violations. But under the new amendment, individuals will be allowed to construct on plots below 1,200 sq ft without an occupancy certificate, and the corporation will no longer be held accountable for any deviations.' He cautioned that this could open the door to widespread misuse. 'Instead of enforcing stricter zoning regulations and ensuring planned development, this move may actually encourage more illegal constructions,' he said, pointing out that builders may exploit the exemption to erect ground-plus-two floor structures without adhering to any formal approval norms. 'This move will almost certainly lead to a rise in illegal constructions,' said Vittal BR, an advocate at the Karnataka High Court. 'People will get one sanctioned plan on paper and construct something entirely different in reality, knowing that no occupancy certificate will be required to validate it later.' He said that the exemption could trigger a rush of new construction in smaller plots across the city. 'More and more people will start building on small sites because there's no OC needed. It becomes extremely difficult for authorities to monitor or control these developments, especially when deviations from the approved plan go unchecked. In the long run, it might impact the city's planning and safety standards.'
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
GHMC collects crores, has no means to monitor RWHS pits
HYDERABAD: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has collected Rs 21.2 crore in the last five years as Rainwater Harvesting Structure (RWHS) charges from property owners seeking building permissions, yet nearly 40% of buildings above 200 square metres lack the mandatory RWHS pits. GHMC also collects development charges, labour cess, environmental impact fees, and open space contribution charges for building permissions. The GHMC mandates that owners construct RWHS at their own expense but offers no technical assistance and has no follow-up mechanism in place to ensure compliance or maintenance. In the last five years, the GHMC has approved 7,210 building permissions and issued 23,239 RWHS permissions. While the collected funds are intended to build pits in public spaces, both officials and surveys admit that many of these structures have become defunct due to poor upkeep. A survey conducted by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) on RWHS pits in buildings with an area above 300 square metres found that 40 per cent of the buildings lacked mandatory RWHS pits but were still given Occupancy Certificates (OCs). Even among the 60 per cent that had soak pits, many have become defunct due to lack of maintenance. The GHMC has admitted that it has no mechanism to check regular maintenance. Of the 42,784 surveyed premises, 22,825 were found to have RWHS, while 17,385 lacked them. Notices were issued to 16,190 owners to construct the RWHS. The HMWSSB has urged GHMC to ensure strict compliance with the rules before issuing Occupancy Certificates for any buildings above 200 square metres, as per the WALTA Act. It must check whether the owners have constructed RWHS pits; if not, their OC applications should be rejected.
