OC Delay Triggers Protest at Ansal Heights, Gurugram

• Over 100 residents protest against delay in occupancy certificate (OC)

• Lack of OC stalls property registration and fresh home loans

• Officials cite pending licence renewal and compliance dues

Gurugram: Tension escalated at Ansal Heights condominium in Sector 92 on Sunday morning as more than 100 flat owners gathered inside the society premises to protest against the prolonged delay in obtaining an occupancy certificate (OC).

Residents, under the banner of the Ansal Heights Flat Allottee Association, alleged that despite taking possession years ago, the developer has failed to secure the OC from the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP). Without this crucial document, homeowners say they are unable to register their flats with the revenue department, leaving them without complete legal ownership.

Why the Occupancy Certificate Matters?

An occupancy certificate is a mandatory approval issued by local authorities after verifying that a project has been built according to sanctioned plans and safety norms. Without it:

• Property registration cannot be completed

• Banks hesitate or refuse to approve fresh home loans

• Owners may lose tax benefits linked to registered property

• Property resale value often declines

Residents claim they are facing all these consequences.

Loans, Penalties and Financial Strain

According to the association, the society comprises 571 flats, with around 300 families currently residing there. The project was launched in 2010, and possession began in 2016. However, nearly nine to ten years later, the OC is still pending.

Many residents allege that banks have stopped financing new buyers in the society due to the absence of an OC. Some existing homeowners who had secured loans earlier are reportedly facing penalties.

Vijay Yadav, a retired DIG from the BSF and a resident, claimed he was compelled to pay a penalty of ₹4 lakh to his bank because the property remains unregistered. Other residents said they are unable to claim tax benefits and are facing complications in transferring ownership.

Aditya Sethi, another homeowner, said the property’s market value has not appreciated as expected due to the lack of legal clarity. Residents have now indicated that they may escalate the matter to the Chief Minister’s grievance cell if the issue remains unresolved.

What Authorities Say

A senior official from the Town and Country Planning Department stated that the OC has not been issued because certain licence renewals and compliance dues remain pending.

“Licence fees and other compliances are pending. Once these are fulfilled, the OC will be issued at the earliest,” the official said, adding that the matter has been unresolved for five to six years.

District Town Planner Praveen Chouhan said he would verify the status of the application and provide clarity within a day or two. He assured that efforts would be made to resolve the matter promptly.

DTCP officials confirmed that notices have been served to the developer for compliance, reiterating that the OC cannot be granted until licence conditions are met.

Developer’s Response

A spokesperson for Ansal Housing said the company has already applied for the OC and remains hopeful of receiving it soon. The spokesperson acknowledged the inconvenience caused to residents and stated that the company is committed to resolving the issue at the earliest.

The developer also maintained that other facilities within the society are being provided and that resident satisfaction remains a priority.

A Growing Concern in Urban Housing

The protest at Ansal Heights highlights a recurring issue in urban housing projects where residents move in but legal documentation lags behind. Experts say buyers should always verify the OC status before taking possession or completing payments.

For the residents of Sector 92, the demand remains clear — immediate issuance of the occupancy certificate so that property registration, loans, and financial stability can be restored.

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