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In Bangalore, an Occupancy Certificate (OC) and Completion Certificate (CC) are important legal documents that certify that a building has been constructed in compliance with the building regulations and is fit for occupation. These documents indicate that the construction of the building or property has been completed as per the approved plans and that the building is safe for occupancy. Although they may seem similar, there are some significant differences between the two documents.
Purpose: The purpose of an OC is to certify that the building or property is safe for occupancy, whereas the CC certifies that the construction of the building or property has been completed as per the approved plan.
Issuance: The OC is issued by the local municipal authorities or the concerned government agency after inspecting the property to ensure that it complies with all safety regulations and building norms. On the other hand, the CC is issued by the local municipal authorities or the concerned government agency after the completion of the construction project, verifying that the building or property has been constructed as per the approved plan.
Time of Issuance: The OC is issued after the completion of the construction project and after the local municipal authorities or the concerned government agency has conducted a thorough inspection of the property. The CC is issued after the completion of the construction project, and the local municipal authorities or the concerned government agency has verified that the building or property has been constructed as per the approved plan.
Importance: The OC is crucial for the building or property owner as it certifies that the building is safe for occupancy and can be used for residential or commercial purposes. The CC is essential for the building or property owner as it certifies that the construction has been completed as per the approved plan, and the building or property is ready for use.
In summary, the main difference between an OC and a CC is their purpose. The OC certifies the safety of the building or property for occupancy, while the CC certifies the completion of the construction project as per the approved plan. Both certificates are important for the building or property owner and provide assurance to the occupants and buyers of the building or property’s safety and compliance with building norms and regulations.
In a recent case in Bangalore, the Karnataka High Court made it mandatory for builders to obtain both the OC and CC before handing over the possession of apartments to buyers. The case involved a builder who had handed over the possession of apartments to buyers without obtaining the necessary certificates, leading to a legal dispute. The court held that the builder was liable for not obtaining the necessary certificates and directed the local municipal authorities to take necessary action against the builder.
The importance of these certificates can be highlighted through another case reference of the infamous xxxxxx xxxxxxx fire incident that occurred in Bangalore in 2010. A 10-storey commercial building, caught fire due to an electrical short circuit in the basement. The fire spread rapidly, and many people were trapped inside the building, resulting in nine deaths and several injuries.
This incident highlighted the importance of having an OC and CC in place. At the time of the incident, the building did not have an OC, which meant that the building was not certified as safe for occupancy. In fact, it was later found that the building had violated several building norms and safety regulations.
In contrast, another building in Bangalore, had obtained both OC and CC, which proved to be crucial during a fire incident in 2018. A fire broke out in one of the apartments, but thanks to the building’s safety features, the fire was contained, and no one was injured. The OC and CC ensured that the building had followed all the necessary safety regulations and was equipped with fire safety measures.
Conclusion
Therefore, it is essential to obtain an OC and CC to ensure the safety of the building’s occupants and comply with the law. The OC certifies that the building has been constructed as per the approved plan and is safe for occupancy. The CC certifies that the building has been completed as per the approved plan and is safe for occupation. These certificates provide assurance to the occupants and buyers of the building’s safety and compliance with building norms and regulations.
Feel free to write to us at mail@lawyersonia.com or call +91 9845944896 if you wish to consult or discuss your matter. “Sonia and Partners” is a Boutique law firm led by Adv. Sonia Rajesh supported by a team of qualified and among the Best Lawyers in Bangalore practicing in the area of Family Law, Property Law and Criminal defence serving Citizens of India, Overseas Indians, NRIs and Global International Clients.
