GHMC issues new guidelines for Occupancy Certificates in non-high rise buildings

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has issued uniform guidelines for processing and issuing Occupancy Certificates (OCs) to non-high-rise buildings constructed as per sanctioned plans, even after building permissions have lapsed. The guidelines are applicable only to non-high-rise buildings.

Hyderabad: The GHMC on Thursday issued uniform guidelines for processing and issuing Occupancy Certificates (OC) to non-high-rise buildings constructed as per sanctioned plans, even after the validity of building permissions had lapsed.

The guidelines apply to buildings sanctioned under G.O.Ms No. 168 (MA&UD, dated April 7-2012), where construction was completed in accordance with approved plans but Occupancy Certificates were not obtained within the validity period.

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The absence of OC 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 were processed by collecting the pending building permit fee and other applicable charges such as Link Road Charges and CRMP charges.

For applications submitted after two years, all charges applicable to the total built-up area as on the date of OC application were levied. In both cases, Occupancy Certificates were considered only if the construction deviations were within permissible limits, allowing up to 10% deviation in mandatory setbacks, excluding the front setback.

The GHMC clarified that the guidelines are applicable only to non-high-rise buildings.