📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Election commission of India
Politics
Karnataka Enacts New Apartment Act Affecting Flat Owners and RWAs
✍️ Deccan Herald
🗓 22 Aug 2026, 11:48 AM
👁 7
The Karnataka Assembly has passed a new Apartment Ownership Act that defines rights and duties of flat owners and Resident Welfare Associations, aiming to streamline management and dispute resolution.
Karnataka's Legislative Assembly has approved a comprehensive Apartment Ownership Act aimed at clarifying the relationship between flat owners and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). The legislation seeks to standardise registration of housing societies, establish a common‑property fund, and set up a dedicated dispute‑resolution mechanism.
Among the key provisions, societies will be required to register with the state authority, maintain transparent accounts, and ensure that maintenance charges are collected and utilised as per the law. The act also empowers RWAs to enforce compliance, levy penalties for violations, and take legal action when necessary.
Industry observers say the new framework could reduce long‑standing conflicts over maintenance, parking and common‑area usage by providing clear legal recourse. The law is expected to be notified shortly and will come into force after a stipulated transition period, giving societies time to align their bylaws with the new requirements.
Flat owners are advised to review the upcoming guidelines and cooperate with their RWAs to ensure a smooth implementation, while legal experts recommend that societies seek professional advice to update their internal rules accordingly.
Among the key provisions, societies will be required to register with the state authority, maintain transparent accounts, and ensure that maintenance charges are collected and utilised as per the law. The act also empowers RWAs to enforce compliance, levy penalties for violations, and take legal action when necessary.
Industry observers say the new framework could reduce long‑standing conflicts over maintenance, parking and common‑area usage by providing clear legal recourse. The law is expected to be notified shortly and will come into force after a stipulated transition period, giving societies time to align their bylaws with the new requirements.
Flat owners are advised to review the upcoming guidelines and cooperate with their RWAs to ensure a smooth implementation, while legal experts recommend that societies seek professional advice to update their internal rules accordingly.