GHMC Finalises Norms for Issuing Belated Occupancy Certificates
Lack of OCs has resulted in difficulties for purchasers and prospective buyers in obtaining water and power connections, besides facing challenges in securing bank loans and paying additional penalty charges.
Hyderabad: The GHMC on Thursday issued guidelines for uniform processing and issuance of occupancy certificates (OCs) to non-high-rise buildings constructed as per sanctioned plans, if the certificates were not obtained within the validity period.
The corporation issued a circular after it received applications with a request to consider and issue OCs for buildings which are completed long back, having building permissions but where validity of the building permissions lapsed/expired and constructed as per sanctioned planned.
Lack of OCs has resulted in difficulties for purchasers and prospective buyers in obtaining water and power connections, besides facing challenges in securing bank loans and paying additional penalty charges.
Under the new procedure, applications for OC submitted within two years from the date of lapse of building permission will be processed by collecting the pending building permit fee and other applicable charges such as link road charges and Comprehensive Road Maintenance Programme (CRMP) fees.
For applications submitted after two years, all charges applicable to the built-up area as on the date of OC application will be levied. In both cases, Occupancy Certificates will be considered only if the construction deviations are within permissible limits, allowing up to 10 per cent deviation in mandatory setbacks, excluding the front setback.
The GHMC clarified that the guidelines are applicable only to non-high-rise buildings. The move is expected to benefit a large section of citizens by enabling them to obtain OCs and facilitating access to essential civic services.
