Buying a house is a complex journey. It involves searching for months, saving for years, doing thorough research, and sometimes taking out a Kotak home loan. There are multiple steps to go through before finally making a purchase. This process also involves dealing with a lot of paperwork. An occupancy certificate stands out among various essentials of a home loan document list. But what exactly is it, and how crucial is it for a home loan? Let’s find out!
What is an Occupancy Certificate?
An occupancy certificate is provided by the local government or planning authority once a new construction project is finished. This certificate proves the project was built according to the building rules and proper laws and regulations. The developer must get this certificate when the project is done. This certificate shows that the building is safe to live in. When you want to get water, sanitation, and electricity connections, you need to have an occupancy certificate.
Having an occupancy certificate is important for people who own homes to ensure their property is legally recognized. The local municipal authority can start legal action if a property doesn't have a valid occupancy certificate. Without an occupancy certificate, a project is seen as unauthorized. Requesting one from your builder is essential, as it is also needed when applying for a home loan or buying a property from someone else.
Importance of Occupancy Certificate
Getting an occupancy certificate (OC) is important for different reasons. Let's look at why it is important:
Legal Requirement: The certificate proves that the building was made following all the right rules. If the developer doesn't get the OC, they might face legal problems.
Safety: The OC makes sure the building is safe. The official government authorities check the building to ensure it's okay to live in.
Financing: If you are applying for a home loan, you will need an OC in your home loan documents list. This helps the bank feel sure about giving you the loan because they know the building is good and they won't lose money.
Resale Value: Having an OC makes a property more valuable if you want to sell it later. Buyers like properties with an OC because it shows the building is safe and legal.
Transparency: The OC makes the construction process clear and open. It ensures the developer built the building just like they were supposed to. They can't change things without permission. This helps buyers trust the developer and the property more.
Steps to Get an Occupancy Certificate Online
Visit the Official Website: Go to the website of the relevant municipal corporation or government authority. Each state might have its website for this purpose.
Go to Citizen Services: Look for a section or link related to citizen services on the website's homepage.
Fill in Details: Find the option to check the Occupancy Certificate and click on it. You'll likely need to provide details about the property, like its address or identification number.
Enter Property Details: Fill in all the required information in the provided columns.
Download PDF: Once you've filled in the necessary details, you might see an option to download a PDF. Click on that option.
View the Certificate: After downloading the PDF, open it to view the Occupancy Certificate. This document will confirm whether the property has obtained the necessary clearance for occupancy.
If your state does not have an online service, you can visit the nearest local corporation or municipality office to apply for it. An OC is typically approved within 30 days of the builder or developer applying for it..
Documents required for Occupancy Certificate
To get a certificate of occupancy, you need to provide these documents:
A certificate showing when the project began
A certificate confirming the project's completion
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) for fire safety and pollution
The official plan for the building's construction and approval
An area map with calculations for each floor's size, signed by an authorized architect
A picture of the building once it's built
A copy of the approved building plan
Photos of rainwater harvesting and solar panels (if there are any)
Details about property loan emi calculator taxes, including the most recent receipts
Conclusion
You must present the certificate of occupancy if you plan to get a loan against your home or a flat. Lenders only approve loans against properties when they know the building is safe for living. If a builder or developer refuses to give you the occupancy certificate, you can complain about them in the consumer forum. After the complaint is filed, the builder has to provide the occupancy certificate within 30 days.