Hyderabad: Occupancy papers, please

Hyderabad: The GHMC is cross- checking occupancy certificates while accepting property tax payments from first-timers. For flat owners, it is a difficult proposition as it is the builders’ responsibility to procure the certificate.

Most builders sell the apartments before the OC is procured, and buyers generally do not insist on the certificate though it is mandatory.

The OC defines whether the building has been built as per the approved plan.

Mr V. Vishnu Prasad of Musheerabad, an apartment owner said, “The builder asked us to occupy the flat and not to worry about the OC. Electrical and water connections were procured.”

“Many are confused if the GHMC will accept the property tax without OC for first-timers,” said Mr Manjeeth Singh of Himayat Nagar.

A senior official from the GHMC Revenue department clarified, “Firstly, property tax will be accepted if there is no OC; secondly, GHMC is cross-checking OCs and other building permissions to bring properties under the tax net. As per AP Building Rules of 2012, OC is mandatory for all new buildings other than those built on 100 sq. metres with heights up to seven metres. This is  to prevent illegal structures and also to check evasion of tax. It also states that the building cannot be occupied without obtaining an OC from the concerned municipality or corporation.

“The OC is also compulsory for obtaining electricity and water connections. If the owner fails to produce the OC and still wants these connections, the utility agencies can collect three times more than the normal charges for releasing water and electricity connections.”