Bengaluru Apartment Associations Propose Amendments to Draft Karnataka Ownership Bill
On Wednesday, July 15, apartment association members and stakeholders in Bengaluru suggested several amendments to the draft Karnataka Apartment (Ownership and Maintenance) Bill, 2026. The proposed changes, which drew feedback from residents across the city including north Bengaluru, seek to hold builders accountable, streamline governance, and protect building structures.
A major focus of the proposals was the functioning of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). Representative Usha Sekhar highlighted the challenges in securing formal RWA membership, noting that some owners refuse to sign Form B and subsequently claim the association is illegal because not everyone has joined.
To address governance issues, stakeholder Vasudeva called for the Bill to define clear timelines for association elections, set the tenure of office-bearers, and establish a process for when leaders resign mid-term.
The management of common areas was another key issue. Arpita explained that builders often register separate towers individually, leading to chaotic management of shared spaces. She urged the government to include provisions that prevent the formation of multiple associations within a single project.
Safety and infrastructure concerns were also raised. Vidya Gogai, a resident from north Bengaluru, suggested regulating internal renovations within individual flats to prevent structural alterations that could compromise building safety. Gogai also called for a dedicated car parking policy, pointing out that rising vehicle ownership has led to open spaces being converted into parking zones.
Additionally, flat owner Gopalan urged the government to limit the liability of association office-bearers during accidents, while Arun Dasappa proposed creating a dedicated ombudsman to resolve apartment-related disputes.
Satish Mallya, president of the Bangalore Apartments’ Federation, welcomed the Chief Minister's assurance that public suggestions would be incorporated before the Bill is introduced in the Legislative Assembly. Mallya stated that Karnataka needs a comprehensive law to safeguard owners' rights, define builder responsibilities, and promote transparent community management.
