How important is Occupancy Certificate?

Usually, the builder provides the OC once the building is ready for occupying. A developer must send an application along with other documents such as building plan, commencement certificate, completion certificate and photographs of the completed building, for obtaining the OC to the local civic body within 30 days of completing the construction. The building is then inspected by the authority for compliance of local laws. The authority then intimates the builder within 30 days of receiving the completion intimation whether the OC has been accepted or rejected. In case there are minor deviations from the approved plan, the civic body may impose a penalty and regularize the building, and issue an OC. The penalty is usually charged according to the extent of deviation.

The OC essentially tells you that the owner can legally occupy the building. In Bangalore, this is a mandatory document for an apartment complex having more than five units.

In Bangalore presently, OC is not mandatory for registering the property. But, the khata for the property will not be issued unless the building has the OC. OC is issued under the provisions of by-law 5.6 and 5.7 of the BBMP Building By-Laws 2003