Karnataka notifies Apartment Ownership Act, 2026

Karnataka has notified the Karnataka Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2026, after the governor's assent on October 9. The law, published in a gazette notification on 15 October, replaces two 1972 legislations and unifies rules for apartment ownership, associations, maintenance, builders' duties and disputes.

It applies to projects with more than eight apartments, excluding government buildings and certain plotted or villa developments. Existing associations will be deemed registered under the new law. Promoters must file a project declaration within 60 days of the occupancy certificate, with a penalty of Rs 1 lakh for non-compliance.

The Act grants apartment owners proportional, undivided interest in land and common areas, and allocates additional FSI or FAR benefits collectively to owners. Rules for implementation are expected to take about six months to frame, sources told The Times of India.