Karnataka’s proposed 2026 Apartment Bill mandates structural safety certifications for buildings over 30 years old, with follow-up checks every five years. This draft legislation also simplifies apartment association formation and clarifies property ownership rules to protect homebuyers.
The Karnataka government has released the draft Karnataka Apartment (Ownership and Management) Bill, 2026, aimed at modernizing the legal framework for housing societies and multi-story complexes. A significant feature of this proposal is the mandatory requirement for structural stability certifications for any apartment building that has crossed the 30-year mark. To ensure ongoing safety, these buildings will need to undergo professional structural inspections every five years after the initial audit.
Impact on Homeowners and Builders
Beyond safety audits, the draft legislation introduces changes designed to provide clarity on property rights. It aims to streamline how the undivided share of land is calculated for apartment owners, which has historically been a point of confusion and legal disputes in real estate transactions. For new developments, the Bill requires the formation of an association of allottees within three months once more than 50% of the units in a project have been booked. This change seeks to prevent situations where developers maintain control over complex management long after construction is completed, potentially allowing residents earlier say in common area maintenance and expenses.
Dispute Resolution and Governance
The draft Bill also proposes a new two-tier appellate system to handle disputes between residents, associations, and developers. By creating a structured mechanism, the state intends to reduce the burden on civil courts for common management issues. Additionally, the government is considering making rainwater harvesting mandatory for all apartment complexes, aligning with broader urban sustainability goals. The current initiative is part of a larger state strategy to modernize property management in Bengaluru and across Karnataka, following recent efforts like the digitization of 2.6 million property e-khatas.
What Investors and Residents Should Track
As this is a draft bill, stakeholders such as property developers, residential welfare associations, and individual homebuyers have until August 6, 2026, to submit their feedback to the state government. Investors in the real estate sector may want to monitor how these compliance requirements—specifically the structural audits and the mandatory association formation timelines—affect project management costs and developer obligations. For existing homeowners, the primary monitorable will be the final rules regarding the costs associated with the recurring five-year structural inspections and how they will be funded by resident associations.