How You Can Modify A DDA Flat

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been constructing homes in notified areas of the national capital to cater to the housing needs of its citizens. The authority also allows modifications in these units to suit the needs of growing families. However, you have to abide by certain rules to make these additions and alterations.

There are three types of additions and modifications allowed by the DDA.

Condonable changes

Modifications that do not require structural changes and can be carried out by the owner without any prior permission from the DDA or the municipal body come in this category. This includes converting the existing barsati into a room, fencing and proper fixing arrangements of grills, increasing the height of front or rear courtyard up to seven metres, etc. Apart from this, interior improvements such as flooring, wall shelving, false ceilings and open staircase construction are also allowed to suit the needs of the owners. Residents can also arrange for separate water supply system and a ramp without disturbing the common passage area.

Modifications that require prior permission

Following are the changes for which you need proper permission from the housing agency:

Changing the position of kitchen or bathroom with proper connection, subjected to structure safety. For this modification, allottees of one stack will have to apply jointly to the agency

Converting of open terrace with sloping roofs with lightweight material

Building additional bathroom in the rear courtyard.

Removing original structure and redeveloping the entire premises with permission. This is only valid in the case of single-storeyed flats, subject to building bye-laws and approval of the local authority.  

Additional coverage with prior permission

For additional coverage, you would need prior permission of the DDA.

-For covering of courtyard and floor-level terraces, you would need a prior approval.

-Owners of three or four-storeyed flats have the right to cover the area available as the coverage of floor level terraces. In such cases, the residents staying in that particular vertical stack have to give their consent and jointly apply for the permission.

-In two-storeyed flats, the allottee at the first floor cannot construct above the ground floor courtyard. They can use the roof terrace for additional coverage as permissible.

-A barsati of size equivalent to the room below is allowed ensuring the construction of wall over wall. However, other residents should have the access to the maintenance of water tanks, plumbing system and TV antennas, etc.

All the other kind of construction will be decided on these principles:

1)      No encroachment on public land is allowed

2)      The additional construction should not pose any threat to the structural safety of the building

3)      Light and ventilation of the unit should not be hindered

4)      There is no infringement of other owner's right

5)      The service elements such as manhole, rainwater fittings and sanitary fittings are not disturbed.

6)      The existing additional covered area can be regularised by the owner if the changes are made according to the prescribed norms

Procedure to get DDA permission

The DDA authorises architects registered with the Council of Architecture under Architects Act, 1972, to certify plans. Once certified by the architect, documents have to be submitted to the DDA office with a prescribed fee. To make the modifications in the building or the unit, an owner needs to submit these documents, certified by the registered architect to the DDA office:

1)  The application form (available on the DDA website)

2)  Four sets of the plan, signed by the owners, architects, showing original construction in blue and proposed construction in red.

3) Certificate of supervision by the architect or the structural engineer, along with the copy of valid registration certificate.

4) Certificate of supervision by the plumber if changes in wet areas such as kitchen or bathroom have been proposed.

5) Proof of ownership documents. This could include lease deed or registered sale deed.

6) Indemnity bond for structural safety on non-judicial stamp paper of Rs 100 duly attested by a Class-1 officer. This bond has to be given individually by all the owners. 

What else?

The fee: A building plan fee of Rs 200 is charged for processing the plan. In addition to this, a charge of Rs 450 per square metre will be levied for additional cover area proposed to be constructed.

The completion certificate: After the construction is finished, owners through architect should intimate the DDA to certify that the construction has been done as per the proposal and conforms to building bye-laws. The intimation of completion should be given within three years from the date of submission of the proposal. The permission would automatically get revoked if it is not received within the stipulated time.

The action: The DDA reserves the right to check the proposal submitted to it. Action is taken against the architect if the proposed construction is not in conformity to the building bye-laws.