G.O.(Ms.)No. 112, Redevelopment Policy Proposal Dropped, 2024

What the government decided

The Government of Tamil Nadu, Housing and Urban Development (HB3(2)) Department, through G.O.(Ms.)No. 112 dated 07.06.2024, dropped the Budget Speech 2022-2023 announcement that a separate redevelopment policy would be released for old and dilapidated residential tenements constructed by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board.

The decision followed a recommendation from the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board. The Government accepted that redevelopment matters are already covered by the Tamil Nadu Apartment Ownership Act, 2022, and directed the Managing Director to take necessary action accordingly.

Buildings and schemes covered

The Tamil Nadu Housing Board reported that the identified schemes relate only to the Tamil Nadu Government Servants Rental Housing Scheme buildings constructed by the Board.

Key details recorded in G.O.(Ms.)No. 112 include:

• About 10,000 old and dilapidated Tamil Nadu Government Servants Rental Housing Scheme buildings had been identified in 60 places.
• Sixty schemes had been identified, and preliminary activities had begun.
• Redevelopment was proposed through the Public Private Partnership mode.
• The projects were expected to seek maximum floor space index in partnership with private enterprises.
• The Tamil Nadu Housing Board also proposed assisting Resident Welfare Associations with redevelopment of dilapidated buildings in older schemes promoted by the Board.
• The Tamil Nadu Housing Board had approved a draft redevelopment policy for submission to the Government, but later recommended that a separate policy was unnecessary.

Redevelopment conditions identified

G.O.(Ms.)No. 112 records that redevelopment amenities, improvement criteria, undivided share conditions and guidelines for old or dilapidated buildings are addressed in the Tamil Nadu Apartment Ownership Act, 2022.

The document identifies two circumstances for redevelopment:

• Consent is obtained from not less than two thirds of the apartment owners in the project.
• The appropriate authority certifies that the building is in a ruinous condition or is in a state that may endanger occupants or another person.

What it means for owners and residents

G.O.(Ms.)No. 112 does not introduce a separate Tamil Nadu Housing Board redevelopment policy. Owners, residents, Resident Welfare Associations and professionals dealing with identified buildings should instead note the redevelopment framework cited from the Tamil Nadu Apartment Ownership Act, 2022, including owner consent or certification of unsafe conditions.