More and more Karnataka apartment owners are complaining about the existing Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act (KAOA) and want immediate changes to close the loopholes that, in their opinion, benefit developers and builders over homeowners. Organised protests, petitions, and requests to the state government to amend the decades-old rule and make it more resident-friendly have resulted from the growing discontent among apartment owners.
Many owners contend that their interests in the evolving urban scene have not been adequately protected by the Act, which was first introduced to regulate apartment ownership and maintenance. Several legal loopholes have been made apparent by the quick growth of housing complexes in places like Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Mangaluru. Owners express dissatisfaction over the complicated and ambiguous KAOA registration process, which frequently deprives people of the legal recognition and power necessary to properly manage their properties.
The fact that builders continue to have authority over apartment management even after the majority of apartments have been sold is a significant source of conflict. Citing uncertainties in the Act, people have accused developers of delaying the transfer of documents and common areas in multiple instances. According to the owners, this enables builders to continue making decisions on maintenance budgets, service agreements, and facilities even after the inhabitants have moved into their houses.
In order to guarantee prompt handovers, open fund administration, and more robust legal protections for apartment owners, resident welfare associations and advocacy groups are pleading with the government to alter the Act. Additionally, since conflicting laws frequently cause misunderstandings and postpone justice, they want clarification on the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act’s (RERA) applicability in dispute resolution.
The Karnataka government has stated that it is examining the Act and has accepted the concerns. To get input from interested parties, such as resident associations and real estate specialists, a revision committee might soon be established. These improvements are long overdue for thousands of apartment residents throughout the state, who want more control over their neighborhoods and more equitable regulations.
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