Andhra Pradesh Occupancy Certificate

In the state of Andhra Pradesh, an occupancy certificate is a legal document officially certifying that the construction of a building complies with the approved plans. The Department of Municipal Administration and Urban Development which is regulated under the Government of Andhra Pradesh issues occupancy certificate only if the constructed building is in an appropriate condition for residency. In this article, we view the procedure for obtaining an Andhra Pradesh occupancy certificate in detail.

Andhra Pradesh Building Rules, 2017

As per the provisions under the Andhra Pradesh Building Rules, a notice of completion has to be submitted after constructing the building to grant for the occupancy certificate. The sanctioning officer after examining the premises may issue or reject the occupancy within fifteen days from the day of receiving of the application.

Uses of Occupancy Certificate

An occupancy certificate holds the following purposes:

Occupancy certificate helps as legal identification for utilising a property in the state.
Occupancy certificate assists in requiring income-tax benefits on house loans, in addition to the provision of house loan statement.
Occupancy certificate serves to obtain a power supply connection or water connection/sanitary connection.
Occupancy certificate aids a person in getting a certified copy of the deed.
Occupancy certificate is expected at the time of purchasing or selling a property.

Occupancy Certificate and Completion Certificate

Completion Certificate: Upon construction of the building, the developer or the landowner of the premises has to request for a completion certificate through the local municipal officials. If the building developed suits as per the stated norms, the qualified officer would grant a certified copy of the completion certificate. Occupancy Certificate: Once the person receives the Completion Certificate, you have to further request for an occupation certificate from the local municipal authority. Occupancy certificate confirms that the building has complied with all the necessary building rules and regulations. This certificate is provided by the local municipal corporation officer or by the department of urban local bodies that distribute no objection to the buildings as per the prescribed laws. An Occupancy Certificate is granted only if the construction has been completed in all phases.

Eligibility Criteria

The person applying for the occupancy certificate should have already completed the building construction under the regulations or provisions of the Development plan in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Documents Required

The specified documents are to be furnished along with the occupancy application form.

Copy of the Sanctioned Plan
Copy of the Building Permit Order
Copy of the Completed Building Plan showing the changes if any to Approved Building Plan along with a statement of deviations.
Photographs of the constructed building showing setbacks on four sides, elevation and roof level.
Copy of Land value certificate issued by the Revenue Department (If deviations are made to Sanctioned Plan).

Fee Structure

The applicant has to remit the appropriate fee as mentioned in the Andhra Pradesh building rules, along with the application form.

Application Process for Occupancy Certificate

To apply for occupancy certificate in Andhra Pradesh, following the steps mentioned below:

Visit the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department

Step 1: The applicant has to approach the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department to collect the application form for occupancy certificate. The application form is reproduced below for your quick reference: [pdf-embedder url="https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/andhra.pdf"]

Complete the Details

Step 2: Fill the application form with the required details and then attach the prescribed documents along with the occupancy certificate application form.

Submit the Application

Step 3: Finally submit the duly filled application form to the sanctioning authority for approval.

Verification of Document

The verification of the application submitted through applicant will take place. The verification statement is automatically appended to the application and forwarded by the system to respective engineer for verification of submitted documents. The clerk engineer will mark the feedback in remark section and approve the application. Upon approval by the engineer, the form will be delivered to randomly assigned site inspector for site inspection based on the risk evaluation of the building.

Site Inspection

For site inspection, the message is sent to the registered mobile number of randomly selected Site inspector for a site inspection. The confirmation message is also sent to the registered mobile number of applicant or architect concerning details of randomly selected site inspector and date, time of Site Inspection. After the inspection of the site, Site Inspector will prepare the site inspection in the designated format or checklist (as per risk category of the building). Then the site inspector will mark the remark in the remark section and forward the application to town planner for approval if satisfied with the submitted plans.

Refusal of Occupancy Certificate

In a case where the occupancy certificate is refused, the Board of Councilors will communicate the applicant with reasons in the form of notice will be forwarded within fifteen days from the date of receipt of the application received. Then the applicant can request the chief officer regarding the refusal, the chief officer after verification if satisfied by him then issues the occupancy certificate within fifteen days from the date of the request made.

Penalty

In case of any violations made while obtaining the occupancy certificate by the applicant, the concerned authority will impose a fine which will be equal to three times of the prescribed fee of occupancy certificate. In addition to the above, the concerned local body will also collect every year two times of the property tax as the penalty from the owner or occupier.