Bengaluru real estate: This is what homeowners who do not have a manual ‘khata’ should do to generate one online

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has now introduced a system for issuing e-khatas to bring five lakh properties into the tax bracket

Published on: Jan 17, 2025, 08:28:16 IST

By Souptik Datta

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To streamline the property registration process for almost five lakh units, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has introduced an online e-khata system. This means that property owners without a ‘khata’ can now generate one online by accessing the official portal and without visiting the municipal corporation office premises.

The online facility addresses longstanding concerns over alleged harassment and delays often reported at BBMP offices. By eliminating the need for physical visits, the BBMP hopes to encourage more property owners to complete their khata registration and contribute to the city’s property tax revenues.

Applicants need only upload key documents such as their Aadhaar number, sale or registered deed number, property photograph, and an Encumbrance Certificate covering the period from the property’s registration date to October 31, 2024. To assist users, the BBMP has released a step-by-step training video on YouTube demonstrating the application process.

Also Read: Bengaluru's property registrations dip 21% amid E-khata implementation woes

On January 16, Bengaluru Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakaumar tweeted, "Pleased to announce a hassle-free e-khata system for property owners who currently do not possess a manual khata. This initiative will benefit over 5 lakh property owners by eliminating the need to visit BBMP offices, making the process simpler, faster, and more transparent."

A 'khata' is a document that certifies that the property owner has duly paid relevant property taxes to the BBMP and is in possession of legal property.

"Most properties that do not have a 'khata' often deviate from the BBMP bylaws or have been constructed illegally. Thus, the local municipal does not have such properties registered with them," Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, director at Karnataka Homebuyers' Forum, said.

According to a BBMP survey in 2022, about 2 lakh buildings in the tech capital deviated from sanctioned plans. In 2021, another study revealed that more than 85 per cent of new buildings constructed in 2020 and 2021 had violated building bylaws.

Also Read: Five things you need to know about the Karnataka government's e-khata mandate

In another survey last year, BBMP identified about 200 unauthorised buildings in the city. According to Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath, in November 2024, the BBMP's Revenue Department created an app to carry out the survey, which aids in identifying such deviations.

According to media reports, just months into the new system, complaints have emerged about incomplete and inaccurate e-khata records, causing significant delays and reportedly leading to a 60 per cent drop in registrations.

What should owners without a ‘khata’ do?

BBMP has said that property owners who still do not have a ‘khata’ can apply online on their portal at (https://BBMP.karnataka.gov.in/NewKhata)

After registration, the owners need to submit their aadhaar number, sale or registration deed number, a ⁠property photo and the Encumbrance Certificate covering the period from the property’s registration/sale date to October 31, 2024

However, BBMP has clarified that the process is only applicable to property owners without a ‘khata’.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Souptik Datta
Souptik Datta is a deputy chief content producer at Hindustan Times Digital, where he reports on southern India with a focus on real estate, urban infrastructure and environmental urban issues. His coverage tracks the intersection of policy, capital flows, regulation and sustainability, examining how these forces shape housing markets, commercial real estate and large-scale infrastructure development across rapidly transforming cities. He also closely tracks civic issues affecting urban residents, including property taxation, planning approvals, public transport expansion, water stress, waste management and the governance challenges that influence everyday life in India’s metros. Souptik’s reporting is driven by a strong interest in accountability, consumer rights and the lived realities of homebuyers and investors navigating volatile pricing cycles, regulatory changes and project delivery risks. He frequently analyses project launches, land monetisation strategies, planning frameworks, RERA-related developments and the broader implications of infrastructure investments on emerging growth corridors. His work blends on-ground reporting with data-backed analysis and long-form explainers aimed at demystifying complex real estate and infrastructure developments for readers. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, Souptik was associated with Moneycontrol at Network 18, where he covered real estate, infrastructure and allied sectors, producing market insights, policy-led stories and in-depth features. Outside the newsroom, Souptik is an avid solo traveller and documentary enthusiast, exploring diverse regions and visually documenting unique narratives through film and photography. In his early career, Souptik also freelanced as a documentary photographer, independently working on visual storytelling projects that captured grassroots narratives, urban change and everyday life. He can be reached at souptik.datta@htdigital.in.Read More

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