Your Easy Guide to Getting a Regularisation Certificate Building Control: A Simple Guide to Legalising Your Indian Property

Imagine this. You’re sitting miles away in London or Dubai, checking emails about your flat in Mumbai. Suddenly, a relative says there’s talk of “illegal construction” or that your society’s redevelopment is stuck because of missing papers. Your heart skips a beat. You bought that property for peace of mind, but now it feels like a headache.

You’re not the only one. Many Indians and NRIs go through this every year. The good news? A regularisation certificate from building control can fix it. It makes your property legal, protects its value, and gives you peace of mind.

This guide explains everything in plain English what it is, why it matters, and how to get it step by step.

Why Building Regularisation and a Regularisation Certificate Building Control Matter

If a part of your building was built without the right permission or doesn’t match the approved plan, it’s called unauthorised construction. Without a regularisation certificate, your property stays at risk.

Ignoring it might seem okay now, but it can cause big problems later.

The Real Problems You Might Face

• Legal Trouble:
  Municipal authorities like the BMC can send notices, charge fines, or even order part of the building to be demolished.
• Money Loss:
  An unauthorised property loses 20–30% of its value. Banks won’t give loans or mortgages for such properties. That’s a big hit, especially for NRIs who see it as an investment.
• Missing Documents:
  Without regularisation, you can’t get important papers like the Completion Certificate or the Occupancy Certificate (OC). These are needed to live in, sell, or rent out your flat legally.
• Redevelopment Delays:
  If your housing society wants to go for redevelopment in Mumbai, the plan won’t move forward unless every flat is legally clear.

Ask yourself: Is your property a safe asset or a risky one? Getting your regularisation certificate makes it safe again.

What Is a Regularisation Certificate?

A regularisation certificate is an official approval from your city’s building department. It makes your property legal even if it had unauthorised changes earlier.

Think of it like this:

• The Completion Certificate says your building was built as per the plan.
• The Occupancy Certificate (OC) says your building is safe for people to live in.
• The Regularisation Certificate says your building, even if changed, now follows the rules and is legal.

If you made extra rooms, extended a balcony, or changed the layout without permission, you need this certificate to make it official.

5 Easy Steps to Get Your Regularisation Certificate

You can get your regularisation certificate by following these five simple steps. If you live abroad, give a Power of Attorney (PoA) to a trusted person in India to handle it for you.

Step 1: Check Your Property and Collect Documents

First, find out what part of your building is unauthorised and if it can be legalised.
Hire an architect or engineer and a property consultant to check it for you.

Your architect will make a drawing that shows how your property looks now. This is called an “As-Built Plan.”

Also collect these papers:

• Property ownership papers (like your sale deed)
• Old building permission papers
• Property tax receipts
• A Structural Safety Certificate from an engineer

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Once your papers are ready, your consultant will submit the regularisation application to your local municipal authority like BMC in Mumbai.

Most cities now allow online applications through portals like AutoDCR, so NRIs can track the process easily. If you’re not in India, your PoA holder can sign and submit everything for you.

Step 3: Pay the Fees and Penalties

Next, you have to pay the regularisation fee and any fines for the unauthorised parts.

The amount depends on your area and how big the changes are. It usually costs about 10–15% of your property’s value. Sometimes, local authorities offer amnesty schemes to reduce the cost, so check before you apply.

Step 4: Property Inspection

After the application, officers from the building department will visit your property.

They’ll check if your building matches the “As-Built” plan and follows safety rules.

If they find any problems like fire safety issues or weak structure they’ll ask you to fix them. Once you do, they’ll review it again.

Step 5: Get Your Regularisation Certificate

Once the inspection is done and all dues are paid, the authority will give you your regularisation certificate.

This means your property is now fully legal. They will also cancel any old notices about illegal construction.

After getting the certificate, update your property details with your housing society, banks, and utility departments.

Why This Certificate Is So Important

• Peace of Mind:
  Once your property is legal, you can stop worrying about notices or demolition. You know your investment is safe.
• Better Property Value:
  Legal properties sell faster and for more money sometimes 20–40% more. Buyers trust clean documents.
• Stronger Legal Protection:
  If your neighbour has illegal construction, your regularised status makes it easier to take legal action or file a complaint.
• Helps in Redevelopment:
  If your society wants redevelopment, having all legal papers including the regularisation certificate helps speed up approvals.

FAQs

1. Can NRIs apply from abroad?

Yes. You can apply through a Power of Attorney holder in India and track the process online.

2. Is a regularisation certificate the same as an Occupancy Certificate (OC)?

No. Regularisation comes first. It makes your building legal. Then you can apply for an OC, which allows you to live in it legally.

3. How much does it cost in Mumbai?

It depends on the size and location of your property. A small extra floor or balcony could cost around ₹2–5 lakh including fees and fines.

4. What if I don’t get regularisation?

You could face heavy penalties, lose access to utilities, or even risk demolition. It also becomes very hard to sell such a property.

5. Why is it important for redevelopment?

Without regularisation, your society cannot get permissions for redevelopment or use extra FSI. So, it’s the first step in the process.

Conclusion

At first, you may have felt anxious about your Mumbai flat. But now you know what to do.

A regularisation certificate building control is not just another piece of paper it’s your peace of mind. It protects your property, keeps it safe, and increases its worth.

Whether you’re an NRI or living in India, start now. Check your property, gather your papers, and apply.
You’ve worked hard for your home now let it stand tall, legal, and proud.

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