The statutory local development authority issues an occupancy certificate when an apartment or property is taken possession of. This certificate allows a developer to allow buyers to occupy a property and is required for any structure with more than five apartments. This is an Occupancy Certificate, or OC as it is commonly abbreviated. But have you heard of the Partial Occupancy Certificate? If not, continue reading!
Buyers are aware that they cannot occupy a unit in a housing project, till the time the project has received an occupancy certificate (OC). Now, housing projects that involve large-scale developments, are typically built in a phased manner. Once a part of the project is complete, the developer has the right to apply for a partial occupancy certificate (POC) with the local authority.
What is a Partial Occupancy Certificate
A Partial Occupancy Certificate is issued to large projects that are built in stages. After inspecting the structure, the concerned authorities (in the case of Bangalore, the BDA) grant it a Partial Occupancy Certificate. Similarly, as the next block completes, partial OC is issued to it.
What does the law state?
Section 5.7 of the Bangalore Building Bye-laws 2003 states that “No one shall occupy or permit any other person to occupy any new project or part of a new project for any purpose whatsoever until an officer authorised to issue such certificate has granted occupancy certificate to such project or part thereof if, in his opinion, the project is completed according to the sanctioned plans and ready for the use for which it is erected. In some exceptional cases, the relevant authority may grant partial occupancy for specific floors of a building.” Simply put, once the project is completed, the developer must apply to the Statutory Authority (BBMP/ BDA) for an Occupancy Certificate.
What do homebuyers need to know?
Homebuyers must insist on obtaining a Partial Occupancy Certificate for residential projects that are being built in phases until the entire building is completed. Following that, buyers must insist on receiving an Occupancy Certificate from their builder.
Godrej Splendour
Homebuyers must insist on obtaining a Partial Occupancy Certificate for residential projects that are being built in phases until the entire building is completed. Following that, buyers must insist on receiving an Occupancy Certificate from their builder.
