Karnataka’s property regulator has directed a city-based developer to complete a pending khata transfer within 30 days, reinforcing that post-possession documentation is a legal obligation rather than an administrative formality. The Karnataka RERA order comes amid recurring complaints in Bengaluru over delays in securing civic records even after buyers receive physical possession of their homes.
The case centres on an apartment purchased in 2021 for approximately ₹60 lakh. While possession and registration were reportedly completed, the buyer approached the authority citing incomplete works and the absence of a khata transfer. Without this document, the apartment cannot be treated as fully regularised under municipal records. A khata, issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), is a foundational civic record that establishes property assessment for taxation and enables resale, loan processing and access to essential municipal services. In multi-unit projects, developers must first obtain a bulk khata before facilitating individual transfers to homeowners. In its order, Karnataka RERA emphasised that statutory responsibilities under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 extend beyond construction and possession. Securing completion certificates, occupancy approvals and property documentation forms part of a promoter’s legal duty. The authority rejected arguments that financial strain, pandemic-related slowdowns or land-related litigation justified procedural delays. A regulatory official familiar with the matter said the order reiterates that “handover without compliance undermines buyer protection.” The authority has directed the developer to complete outstanding flat-related works within 90 days and ensure the khata is transferred in the allottee’s name within a month.
Urban planners note that documentation bottlenecks have long complicated Bengaluru’s housing market. As the city expands across peri-urban zones and redevelopment projects intensify within core areas, ensuring clean title and timely municipal approvals has become critical for financial stability. Delayed khata transfers not only affect individual homeowners but can also distort property tax flows and urban governance records. Industry experts say the ruling sends a broader signal to the market. “RERA’s intervention clarifies that compliance does not end at possession,” said a senior real estate analyst tracking regulatory disputes. “Developers must align project delivery with legal and civic clearances to avoid downstream risk.” The order also aligns with wider efforts to formalise Bengaluru’s real estate ecosystem as the city attracts institutional capital and non-resident investment. Transparent documentation, experts argue, strengthens trust and supports more sustainable urban growth.
Failure to comply with the directive could invite further penalties under the RERA framework. For homebuyers navigating post-possession hurdles, the decision reinforces that regulatory recourse remains available when statutory obligations are delayed. As Bengaluru’s housing supply continues to diversify, enforcement of documentation standards may prove as significant as construction timelines in shaping the city’s residential credibility.
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