Bhubaneswar, Dec 18: The long‑standing confusion surrounding the registration of common areas in apartment complexes across Odisha has finally been resolved, bringing major relief to homebuyers and real‑estate developers.

The state government has announced a simplified and uniform process for registering common areas, which had earlier become a major bottleneck in apartment registration.

According to a notification issued by the Revenue Department, the entire common area of any real‑estate project can now be registered for a fixed fee of ₹20,000.

This registration will be done in the name of the Association of Allottees or the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA), ensuring clarity in ownership and management of shared spaces.

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Despite the implementation of the Odisha Apartment Ownership Act in 2023, ambiguity persisted regarding how common areas should be registered. This confusion often delayed apartment registrations and created disputes between developers and buyers. The new decision aims to eliminate these hurdles and bring transparency to the process.

The move follows a significant meeting held last November by the Urban Development Department, where all stakeholders — including developers, RWAs, and legal experts — participated.

During the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that the registration of common areas must be streamlined and that no property should be subjected to double registration fees or duplicate stamp duty for the same space.

Officials believe that the new system will not only reduce financial burden but also ensure smoother handover of common facilities such as corridors, lifts, parking areas, parks, and community halls. The clarity in documentation is expected to prevent future disputes and strengthen accountability among developers.

With this reform, the state government aims to promote transparency, protect homebuyers’ rights, and encourage more organized development in the real‑estate sector. The simplified process is likely to accelerate apartment registrations and boost confidence among prospective buyers.