T.N. Combined Development and Building Rules amended

For those constructing a new building and requiring an electricity connection, a completion certificate is not mandatory if the number of dwelling units is eight or less or the building occupies a maximum of 750 sq.mt area, according to the amended Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules.

In a notification dated March 11, 2024, the Department of Housing and Urban Development said earlier, exemption from completion certificate was granted to building not exceeding three dwelling units or 750 sq.mt. It is now amended to eight dwelling units or 750 sq.mt.

Builders Association of India Tamil Nadu chairman elect B. Palanivelu said the amendment will benefit small-scale builders and property buyers. It takes time to get completion certificates and small-scale builders do not have to wait for it to get electricity connection now. However, the government has not yet given relief to small-scale commercial buildings, he said.

According to K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has changed the rules framed by the Department of Municipal Administration. It is learnt the Municipal Administration Department is also working on certain amendments. All the amendments should come from the Department that framed the rules, he pointed out.

Further, the mention of eight dwelling or 750 sq.mt only leads to confusion since there is no clarity on buildings that have more than eight dwelling units and the total area is only 750 sq.mt or if the number of dwelling units is eight, but the area occupied is greater. The order should have mentioned eight dwelling units not exceeding 750 sq.mt. Also, there is no mention about exemptions about smaller commercial buildings.

The consumer organisation will study the notification and take it up legally, he said.