BENGALURU: On December 14, the Kumbalgodu Police issued a notice requiring apartment residents’ welfare associations to compile and submit comprehensive information about tenants and individuals associated with their buildings, including those from other states and foreign nationals.
The notice emphasized the need for associations to provide details regarding security agencies, the security personnel employed, and housekeeping services along with any associated workers.
Furthermore, the police requested historical data on apartment residents’ welfare associations, including any penalties imposed on tenants and the rules governing these charges.
Several flat owners voiced concerns, stating that some tenants and flat owners had lodged complaints with the police against their associations, alleging unfair penalties and deprivation of civic amenities.
In a positive response to the initiative, the Karnataka Home Buyers’ Forum expressed support for the Bengaluru Police’s efforts to gather information on security practices, housekeeping providers, and the operational standards of associations.
Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, a member of the forum, highlighted issues within apartment complexes where associations operate without official registration, acting autocratically and withholding essential information from residents. He asserted that when residents inquire about these matters, they face arbitrary penalties.
“In numerous cases, associations charge high maintenance fees and impose penalties even on unfinished projects that lack an Occupancy or Completion Certificate, which should be the promoter’s responsibility,” he stated. He urged the police to gather necessary documents to ascertain the legitimacy of these associations, such as registration certificates and certified by-laws.
Civic activist Vinod Jacob called the police’s notice a timely intervention, advocating for regular security updates and mandatory CCTV installations in homes and key public areas to enhance safety. Satish Mallya from the Bangalore Apartment Federation noted that while associations strive for best practices, they lack the authority to enforce laws, and pledged full cooperation with police efforts to safeguard residents.
