Now residents of old bldgs can pay tax individually

Mumbai: Residents of old buildings can also now pay property tax individually without depending on their respective societies. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to charge individual property tax bills to old buildings, which have already paid their entire property tax amount.

“In case of old buildings, flat-wise property tax bills will be issued to those housing societies, which, after paying their property tax, have applied to the BMC to issue individual property tax bills. After receiving necessary documents, giving detailed information about flat owners, individual and flat-wise bills will be issued,” said a senior civic official.

The BMC from April 1 this year has started issuing individual property tax bills to all new constructions, which have received an occupation certificate (OC).

“This has enabled citizens pay their property tax bills individually without depending on their societies. It has helped them avoid fine or action by the civic body for delay in paying property tax. They are also able to reap the benefits of schemes like ‘early bird discount’ for early property tax payment,” said the official.

There have also been disputes between the new societies and developers over who will pay property tax. “Since the BMC now issues separate property tax bills to every flat holder, the responsibility of paying property tax of vacant flats will remain with the builder. After the flat is sold, the society or the owner will have to pay the property tax,” the official added.

However, property tax bills for common amenities will be issued in the name of the society. If the society has not been formed, the developer will have to pay the bill, he added.