BAF pushes for KAOMA to be introduced in the upcoming Belagavi legislative session

With lakhs of apartment residents facing unresolved legal and management issues, the Bangalore Apartments’ Federation presses the State to pass the long-pending KAOMA Bill in the Belagavi Winter Session.

Bengaluru, home to nearly 3.5 lakh apartment households and about 15 lakh residents, continues to struggle under outdated laws that no longer match the city’s rapid vertical growth. The Bangalore Apartments’ Federation (BAF), which represents more than 1,400 apartment and villa RWAs, has renewed its demand for a modern and comprehensive legal framework for apartment living in the State.

Ahead of the Winter Session in Belagavi, BAF has pressed the government to table and implement the Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Act (KAOMA). The organisation has argued that the current Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act, enacted nearly 50 years ago, is inadequate for today’s large and complex residential ecosystems.

Also Read:Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda slams BMRCL over delays in Bengaluru metro Blue Line works

BAF highlighted that homeowners across the city face persistent challenges due to unclear rules on ownership transfer, the undivided share of land, association formation, and enforcement of bylaws. The absence of a clear legal mechanism has resulted in ongoing disputes, delays in property handovers, and complications in maintaining ageing buildings.

The proposed KAOMA aims to introduce clarity on property rights, streamline the process of registering and empowering owners’ associations, and create a dedicated system for resolving resident-management conflicts. It also includes provisions to manage redevelopment of old complexes, an increasingly urgent need in fast-growing urban areas like Bengaluru.

Also Read:Bengaluru: Early-morning demolition drive clears encroachments on Gandhi Bazaar footpath

The federation stated that both major political parties had promised to bring in an updated apartment law in their election manifestos. Yet, even after two-and-a-half years of the current government’s tenure, the legislation remains pending. Apartment residents now hope that the upcoming session beginning December 8 in Belagavi will finally deliver the long-awaited reform.

For lakhs of Bengaluru families living in apartment communities, the passage of KAOMA could bring long-overdue clarity, protection, and a structured governance system. As pressure mounts, the question remains whether the Winter Session will bring the breakthrough residents have been seeking for years.