Patna: The Bihar government is set to overhaul the registration process for flats in apartment buildings, ending a year-long moratorium that has left thousands of buyers in limbo.
Since the moratorium was imposed, prospective flat owners have faced repeated visits to circle offices, only to be told to wait until new rules are implemented. The Revenue Department has now drafted regulations aimed at streamlining the process.
Under the proposed rules, all flats in a new apartment building will be registered simultaneously. However, the draft has been awaiting approval from the departmental minister for the past three months. Once cleared, registration for new flats can begin immediately.
Currently, under the Bihar Land Mutation Acts of 2011 and 2012, registration and mutation proceedings are carried out at the circle level, based on applications from landowners or titleholders. Some circle offices, however, have already mutated land purchased for apartment construction in the names of flat owners, even though the existing rules do not provide for such action.
The Revenue Department has noted that recording the plot of land corresponding to each flat at the time of registration is crucial. Individual mutations could create legal and administrative complications, potentially affecting flat owners’ interests. Consultations with the Builders Association and RERA informed the preparation of the new rules.
Key provisions include determining each flat owner’s share of the land in proportion to the number of flats. Land records will be registered in the name of the builder, landowner, or society, clearly specifying the share and boundaries for each flat owner. Sales of flats will automatically update ownership in the records, while unsold flats will remain under the builder or society’s name.
Officials said that once ministerial approval is received, the new rules will resolve longstanding confusion surrounding apartment flat registration in Bihar.
