Bengaluru: Amid growing demands from apartment owners to take over maintenance and management of BDA-built apartment complexes, Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) has urged the state govt to notify a “competent authority” for the registration of apartment owners’ associations under Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act, 1972 (KAOA).The move comes after some associations approached BDA, stating they were prepared to manage the upkeep of apartment complexes themselves. However, officials said the absence of clarity on the registration mechanism became a hurdle in recognising these associations and transferring maintenance responsibilities.In a June 29 letter to the urban development department, BDA said apartment owners and residents across Karnataka were facing considerable difficulties in registering associations under KAOA.A senior BDA official said: “There is an ambiguity and we have been hearing concerns from residents that they were unable to proceed with the registration. If the govt clears this confusion, it will be a relief across the city.”Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, from Karnataka Homebuyers’ Forum, said: “Registering apartment associations under a govt-notified competent authority will give them legal recognition, enable grievances to be addressed without approaching civil courts, and ensure compliance with RERA directions on land khata transfer. It will also provide a legal identity to managing committee members. It’s a great move from BDA to seek clear govt directions.”Box 1: Clarifications sought by BDAAuthority or office empowered to receive and verify applications for registrationProcedure to be followed for registration and recognition of apartment owners’ associationsDocuments to be submitted, including the mandatory Deed of Declaration and bylawsFixed timeline for scrutiny and disposal of applicationsAppeal or grievance redress mechanism for applicants
