Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act: Bangalore Apartments Federation Urges Government to Implement Long-Pending Legislation
The Bangalore Apartments Federation (BAF) has called on the Karnataka government to pass the Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Act (KAOMA) 2025, a long-pending legislation aimed at addressing gaps in the current regulatory framework governing apartment ownership and management in the state.
- Key Demands: BAF urges the government to pass the KAOMA 2025 and withdraw 'discriminatory' solid waste management charges imposed on housing societies.
- The proposed legislation aims to replace the existing 1972 Act and bring greater clarity to issues such as land rights, ownership, and maintenance of common areas.
BAF expressed concern over delays in introducing the legislation, despite assurances by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and the draft being ready since July 2025. The federation noted that public consultations had already been completed, but no further legislative steps had followed.
According to Satish Mallya, president of BAF, the absence of an updated legal framework is making it difficult for residents to manage associations, resolve disputes, and safeguard ownership rights.
What You Need to Know:
- Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had announced that the state was working on a uniform law to address homebuyers' concerns.
- The state government is already in the final stages of drafting a new Apartment Ownership Act.
- Aakash Bantia, an advocate, emphasized the need for any new framework to align with Section 17 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.
Waste Charges Spark Backlash Among Apartment Residents
The federation also raised concerns about recent user-fee changes introduced by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), which classify apartment complexes with over 100 units as bulk waste generators.
- Independent houses pay a nominal monthly fee of ₹ 100 through property tax, while apartment residents are charged ₹12 per kilogram of waste, plus 18% GST.
- The revised structure translates to roughly ₹360 per flat per month, a 600% increase, placing a significant financial burden on large housing societies.
BAF claimed that this is a severe form of discrimination against apartment residents and urged the government to withdraw the discriminatory solid waste management charges.