Promoters must facilitate the formation and registration of an association within three months after a majority of apartments are allotted.
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The Bangalore Apartments’ Federation has welcomed the enactment of the Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Act (KAOMA) 2026. The new law has a greater focus on “powers of residents’ associations, promoter accountability, protection of common areas, legal recognition for future development rights, building safety and redevelopment”, the federation said. “KAOMA, 2026, is a significant improvement compared to the 1972 legal framework and has the potential to become one of India’s strongest apartment governance laws. Effective implementation will now be the key priority,” BAF president Satish Mallya said on Monday.The BAF said the new law ensures that the promoter continues to be accountable even after handover of the flats. “Even after the management is transferred to the association, promoter obligations under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, will continue. It also specifies that promoters cannot retain control over common areas after management is transferred,” BAF said. “The Act provides a stronger mechanism for transferring the management and administration of apartments to associations. However, management and ownership rights must move together. Statutory and deemed conveyance of land and common-area rights require a clear, time-bound, and enforceable mechanism,” said BAF general secretary K. Aun Kumar.Promoters must facilitate the formation and registration of an association within three months after a majority of apartments are allotted. If they fail to do so, the competent authority can intervene, as per the new Act. “The concept of one statutory association for each apartment project will bring greater structure to apartment governance. Recognising a registered association as a body corporate, with perpetual succession and the legal capacity to sue and be sued in its own name, is an important step forward,” said Sujatha G., policy lead, BAF. Published - August 24, 2026 07:14 pm IST
