What is an occupancy certificate?
Occupancy certificates hold significant importance in real estate. These certificates, bestowed by local government agencies and authorities, stand as official affirmations that a constructed building aligns with the approved plans. They mark the climactic moment when a property is deemed ready for habitation.
Within this document lies a crucial declaration that the building is fully furnished with essential civic amenities—ranging from sanitation facilities to water and electricity provisions. As the curtain rises on the stage of real estate transactions, prospective buyers eyeing an upcoming apartment should make it a priority to requisition this certificate.
It's worth noting that if a builder encounters difficulties in procuring this document from the appropriate department, it raises a red flag. Such an absence can suggest that the building lacks vital civic amenities, potentially indicating a deviation from the meticulously sanctioned blueprints.
Importance of Occupancy Certificate?
The Occupancy Certificate takes its place as a vital legal instrument, wielding the authority to endorse a building's safety. Prior to settling into new homes, securing this document becomes a key step, casting aside the specter of lawful ousting and structural destruction. In the absence of the OC, the municipal entity withholds the lifelines of water, electricity, and sanitation, rendering the home a waterless and vulnerable domain. It's a ticket to get loans from banks and allied financial bodies. The absence of this certificate can stop you from resale the property at a better price.
Therefore, it becomes an unassailable truth that an Occupancy Certificate must withhold any formal claim to property ownership. A careful assertion demands this a key document to be in hand, ensuring that the law is followed in every step of buying and selling property
How to Check an Occupancy Certificate?
The method for checking the occupancy certificate might vary depending on the local and state regulations. Below are some general steps that you can follow -
-
Visit the official website of the municipal or local authority if the place where the property is located.
-
Find the ‘building permissions’ or ‘building proposals’ section on the website.
-
Select ‘occupancy certificate’ from the drop-down of services provided.
-
Enter the address and the application number of the property.
-
Submit this information on the website and wait till the results get displayed.
You can either download the occupancy certificate from the website or visit the local municipal corporation physically to get a copy of the occupancy certificate.