Securing the Final Building Regularisation Certificate: Your Easy Guide to Legal and Safe Property Ownership

Picture this.
You’re sitting abroad, sipping your morning coffee, when you get a call from home. Your family flat in India has a problem the building isn’t fully approved. Because of this, you can’t sell it or start redevelopment.

Or maybe you live in India, and your housing society wants to rebuild the old structure. But the local authority says no because there are unauthorised changes in the building plan.

It’s a common situation and yes, it can be stressful. But there’s a clear way out.
You need a building regularisation certificate.

This certificate is not just another piece of paper. It’s what makes your property legal, safe, and valuable. Let’s understand it the easy way.

Why You Need the Building Regularisation Certificate

In many Indian cities like Mumbai, old buildings often have small or big changes that were never approved.
Maybe someone added a balcony, built an extra floor, or made a room larger than planned.

These changes may look harmless, but they make the building unauthorised or illegal in government records.

The building regularisation certificate helps you fix that. It’s an official document from the local authority (like the BMC in Mumbai) saying, “Your property is now legal and approved.”

What Happens If You Don’t Have It

Not having this certificate can cause big problems:

• Demolition and Fines: The municipal body can stop water and electricity, send legal notices, or even demolish parts of your building. You may also have to pay heavy fines.
• No Loans or Sale: Banks won’t approve home loans or property sales if your building is unauthorised.
• Redevelopment Stops: Housing societies in Mumbai can’t start redevelopment if the building isn’t regularised. Builders avoid such projects.
• Low Property Value: An illegal property loses market value and can cause legal fights later.

Even a small change like an extra balcony, wall, or room counts as unauthorised construction.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the Building Regularisation Certificate

Don’t worry it’s not as hard as it sounds. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Check Your Building

Start by finding out what’s wrong.

• Hire an Expert: Get an architect or structural engineer to check your property. They’ll tell you what parts don’t match the approved plan.
• Check Eligibility: Only buildings made before a certain year (decided by your state) and that meet safety rules can be regularised.
• Collect Documents: Keep ready your Sale Deed, building plan (if you have it), tax receipts, and recent photos of your building.

Step 2: Apply for Regularisation

Once you know your building can be regularised, it’s time to apply.

• Where to Apply: Go to your local municipal office or its website.
• What You’ll Need: Your architect’s report, safety certificate, and an affidavit saying your information is true.
• For NRIs: If you live abroad, give Power of Attorney (PoA) to a trusted person in India who can do this for you.

Step 3: Inspection by Officials

After you apply, officials will visit your building.

• They Check the Site: They’ll compare your building with the plan you submitted.
• They Check Safety: They’ll ensure your building is safe and follows fire and building rules.
• Fix Issues: If they ask for changes or repairs, finish them before moving ahead.

Step 4: Pay the Fees

Once the inspection is done, you’ll have to pay a regularisation fee.

• How It’s Calculated: The fee depends on how big the unauthorised area is, your building type, and the market value of the land.
• Pay Quickly: Pay on time to avoid delays. If you’re an NRI, your local representative can handle this part for you.

Step 5: Get the Final Certificate

After all payments and checks are done, the authority gives you the building regularisation certificate.

This means your property is now officially legal and approved.

But that’s not all! You’ll still need to apply for the Completion Certificate and Occupancy Certificate (OC) to prove that your building is safe and ready for people to live in.

Why Regularisation Helps Redevelopment in Mumbai

If you live in a housing society in Mumbai, getting your property regularised can open the door to redevelopment.

Here’s why:

• Clear Legal Status: Once your property is regularised, it has a clean title so builders can safely take up the project.
• Government Support: The new redevelopment rules in Mumbai give extra space (FSI) or bigger flats to societies that are legally compliant.
• Faster Approvals: With the certificate in hand, future permissions come faster.

For NRIs, this step is very important. It keeps your investment legal and adds value to your flat.

FAQs

1. How can NRIs apply from abroad?

They can give a Power of Attorney (PoA) to a trusted person or firm in India. That person can handle the entire process, including submitting documents online.

2. What’s the difference between the three certificates Regularisation, Completion, and Occupancy?

• Regularisation Certificate: Legalises any unauthorised construction.
• Completion Certificate: Confirms the building is completed as per plan.
• Occupancy Certificate (OC): Confirms it’s safe for people to live in.

3. Can I regularise an extra floor or room?

Yes, if it follows your city’s rules. In housing societies, at least 51% of members must agree before applying together.

4. How is the cost decided?

It depends on how big the unauthorised area is, the building’s location, and the land’s market rate.

5. What’s RERA’s role in this?

RERA ensures builders follow proper rules and timelines during redevelopment. It protects property owners and buyers, especially in regularised buildings.

Conclusion: Make Your Property Legal and Worry-Free

Getting a building regularisation certificate is one of the smartest things a property owner can do.

It protects your building, saves you from fines or legal issues, and keeps your property’s value high.

Whether you live in India or abroad, take this step today. A legal property doesn’t just bring peace of mind it builds a secure future for you and your family.

About lawcrust Realty

At LawCrust Realty, we stand apart as a premium real estate consulting partner for NRIs worldwide, offering end-to-end solutions in Property Management, Property Regularisation, Construction & Redevelopment, and Project Management Consulting.
Rooted in a legacy of legal and hybrid consulting, we understand the unique challenges NRIs face in managing and safeguarding Indian assets. Our mission is to bridge these gaps through compliance-driven execution, strategic foresight, and client-first innovation.
Whether it’s managing NRI-held properties, transforming long-pending assets into legally regularised holdings, or delivering turnkey redevelopment solutions LawCrust Realty combines authority with accessibility.
By choosing us, you don’t just solve property challenges from overseas you future-proof your assets with one of India’s most trusted and forward-thinking realty partners.

Contact LawCrust Today

• Call Now: +91 8450968472
• Email: inquiry@lawcrustrealty.com