Why Surat Flat Owners Are Getting Eviction Notices: BU Certificate Explained

“Mane to navi flat leli hati… ene kahevay legal nathi?”
That’s what many residents of Surat are asking today.

Recently, over 150 apartment owners in Surat were shocked to receive eviction notices from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). These weren’t old buildings or illegal slums — these were new high-rise flats in known areas like Vesu and Althan.

Why? Because their buildings didn’t have a Building Use Certificate (BUC) — a document many people haven’t even heard of until it’s too late.

This article will break it all down for you: what a BU certificate is, why it’s important, and how to avoid stepping into a property disaster in cities like Surat.

Table of Contents

What is a BU Certificate?

A Building Use Certificate (BUC) is a legal document issued by the local municipal body (in this case, the Surat Municipal Corporation) that confirms:

The construction was completed according to the approved plan
All safety and compliance regulations are followed
The property is fit for occupation

Think of it as your building’s “fitness certificate” — just like a driving license is to your car.

Without it, technically you aren’t allowed to live in the building, even if the flat is fully built, furnished, and sold.

Why did Surat flat owners get eviction notices?

Recently, SMC discovered that several buildings — including Casa Riviera, KPM Terra, and Celestial Dreams — were occupied without BUCs.

According to sources:

Some towers exceeded the height limit permitted by AAI (Airports Authority of India)
Builders failed to complete the necessary compliance
Still, residents were allowed to move in

SMC gave them three days to vacate or face disconnection of water and drainage. That’s like saying “દસતાવેજ વિના ઘરમાં રહેશો તો પાણી પણ નહીં આપે!”

Can builders sell flats without a BUC?

Legally, no. But practically, many do.

Here’s how it happens:

Builder gets the basic project approvals
Begins construction and collects money from early buyers
Completes the structure and hands over keys
Meanwhile, delays or skips steps like getting the BUC
Buyers move in, unaware of what’s missing

This loophole has become common in booming cities where demand outpaces scrutiny.

How to check if a property has a BU certificate?

Before you pay a token or sign anything, ask these questions:

“Can I see the BU Certificate for this project?” — Ask for a physical copy, not just verbal assurance.
Visit the SMC Property Search portal
Cross-check the building plan approval, Occupancy Certificate (OC), and BUC — don’t assume they’re all the same.
Visit the SMC Town Planning Department — especially for large projects.

Remember, even if it’s in a premium location like Pal, Piplod, or Vesu, don’t assume legality.

“Jagya joi ne khush na thai jao — kagad pan jojo!”

What risks do you face if your building doesn’t have one?

Let’s not sugarcoat this — the risks are real and expensive:

Eviction — You can be legally asked to vacate your flat
Water & Drainage cut-off — SMC can suspend essential services
Loan or resale issues — Banks may refuse loans or resale deals
Demolition risk — In rare extreme cases, buildings can be sealed or razed

And no, your “builder promise” won’t help if SMC shows up with a legal notice.

What buyers should do before signing a deal

Here’s a checklist every smart buyer in Surat should follow:

Insist on a copy of the BU Certificate
Confirm that the building complies with AAI height norms
Consult a real estate lawyer for final document review
Ask the builder which tower blocks in a multi-tower project are approved
Visit other residents — ask if they’ve had any issues with notices or service cuts

Don’t just go by marketing brochures.
Don’t fall for lines like “BU toh mil jaayega shortly…”

This is real money — and you deserve real clarity.

Is this a one-time case or part of a bigger issue?

It’s bigger than it looks.

Real estate in Surat has seen rapid vertical growth in the last decade
Builders often play fast and loose with permissions
Authorities like SMC are now tightening compliance checks

This means we could see more crackdowns, especially in:

Newly completed projects
Localities near airport zones
Multi-tower mega societies

The buyer community is waking up. And that’s good news.

Owning a home in Surat should be about peace of mind, not legal tension.
Before you move into that “વિશ્રામ માટે શાંત વિસ્તાર”, make sure it’s legally cleared from top to bottom.

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