Karnataka apartment bill bans multiple resident associations in single complex

Karnataka has finalized its Apartment (Ownership and Management) Bill, 2026 with a key provision that restricts apartment complexes to maintaining only a single resident association, according to details emerging from the legislative process. The move represents a substantial shift from the draft bill presented during a stakeholders' consultation on July 15, which had proposed establishing a federation mechanism to address governance disputes across complexes.

The elimination of the federation provision in the final bill consolidates decision-making authority under a single association structure for each residential complex. This approach aims to streamline management and reduce administrative complications that can arise from fragmented governance systems within large housing developments.

The restriction on multiple associations reflects lawmakers' effort to establish clearer lines of authority and accountability in residential complex management. By mandating a unified association per complex, the legislation seeks to prevent jurisdictional conflicts and ensure cohesive implementation of policies affecting residents.

The bill's finalized framework represents a deliberate choice to simplify administrative structures at the cost of dispersing resident representation. Housing advocates and resident groups have previously highlighted both advantages and concerns regarding such consolidation models, with implications for smaller communities' voice in larger residential developments.