Uncertainty set to end? Draft of new apartment law in Karnataka nearly ready | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: With thousands of apartment residents facing legal uncertainty over ownership, maintenance, and land rights, the Karnataka govt has confirmed that the long-pending draft of a new apartment act is nearly ready. The urban development department said the document — prepared in consultation with apartment associations, legal experts and stakeholders — will soon be sent to ministers for approval.Tushar Giri Nath, additional chief secretary of the department, said: “The draft is almost ready. We’ve had meetings, taken inputs from the law department and apartment owners. Final touches are being given before it is sent to the ministers. There’s no deadline, but it is in its final stage.”The proposed legislation is expected to replace the outdated Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act (KAOA), 1972. Apartment associations and homebuyers are now pushing the govt to introduce the bill in the monsoon session of the legislature and bring long-overdue clarity to flat owners’ rights and responsibilities.The issue was first taken up formally in July 2023 during a Brand Bengaluru session chaired by deputy CM DK Shivakumar, where more than 300 RWAs demanded comprehensive legal reforms.Vikram Rai, president of the Bangalore Apartments’ Federation (BAF), said: “The 1972 law is obsolete. Apartment living has changed massively over the last 25 years. If all inputs are in, the draft must go to the cabinet now — not later this year.”Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, convenor of the Karnataka Home Buyers Forum, said Karnataka remains one of the few states without clear guidelines under Rera for registering associations of allottees or transferring common areas. “Because the govt failed to act, buyers were forced to approach courts. This law is urgently needed.”—Boxe 1Key suggestions by BAF-Amend KAOA rules to guarantee conveyance of the entire property (land, flats, and assets) to owners-Appoint a competent authority and set up a dedicated enforcement department-Create a clear legal model for the functioning of owners’ associations—Box2Why homebuyers want new act-For legal recognition of owners’ associations-To enable representation in consumer forums, Rera, and courts-To provide a framework to manage funds and common areas-To ensure legal recourse for both owners and associations in case of disputes or dues