RTI Application for Occupancy Certificate Delay: Sample 2026
Direct answer. When a Municipal Corporation, Development Authority or Town Planning office has not issued the Occupancy Certificate within the time-frame in the Citizens' Charter or local building rules, file a free RTI to its PIO asking for the file noting, inspection report and the names of officers responsible. The PIO must reply in 30 days.
Drafting notes. This is a sample application. Customise each item before filing. See Guide for applicants for procedure, fee, and appeal path. After 14 November 2025, requests seeking information about a named individual engage Section 8(1)(j) as amended by Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. See the practitioner note for the test the Public Information Officer must apply.
When to use this RTI
- Your OC application has been pending beyond the rule-prescribed time-frame
- You suspect a specific inspector is sitting on the file
- You want the inspection report and any deficiency list
- You are a flat allottee whose builder claims OC is in process
When NOT to use this RTI
- If you have not yet submitted a complete application
- If the deficiency list has been issued and you have not responded
- If you want the Municipal Corporation to grant OC through RTI (RTI gives records, not OC)
Sample RTI application
To,
The Public Information Officer
[Municipal Corporation / Development Authority / Town Planning Office]
[Full Address, Pin Code]
Sub: Request for information under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005,
regarding pending occupancy certificate (OC) application.
Sir / Madam,
I have applied for an Occupancy Certificate / Completion Certificate
for the property described below. The OC has not been issued within
the time-frame in the Citizens' Charter or local building rules. I
seek the following information.
Property details:
Plot / flat number: ____________
Project / building name: ____________
Survey number / khasra number: ____________
Address: ____________
Approved building plan number and date: ____________
OC application date: ____________
Application reference: ____________
Information sought:
[1] Current status of my OC application reference ____________ as
on the date of this RTI.
[2] Certified copy of the file noting on my application showing
notings of all officials and decisions, if any, of the
competent authority.
[3] Certified copy of the inspection report by the building
inspector and the photographs taken on inspection.
[4] List of deficiencies, if any, communicated to me, and the
rule under which each deficiency is raised.
[5] Time-frame in the building rules or Citizens' Charter for OC
issue from the date of submission of a complete application.
[6] Reasons in writing for non-issue of OC within the prescribed
time-frame.
[7] Names, designations and office addresses of officers responsible
for inspection and OC sanction.
[8] Names of officers whose assistance is sought by the PIO under
Section 5(4) of the RTI Act.
Application fee of Rs 10 is enclosed in the form of Indian Postal
Order or as prescribed in the State RTI Rules. Please send the
information to the address below.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Name, address, phone, email]
[Date]
If the PIO does not reply or refuses without reasons: First Appeal
[Date]
To,
The First Appellate Authority
[Public Authority Name]
[Address]
Sub: First appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005, against
the order of the PIO dated [____] / against deemed refusal
under Section 7(2), in respect of my RTI dated [____].
Sir / Madam,
1. I had filed an RTI application dated [____] seeking the
information described in the enclosure (Annexure A).
2. The PIO has [refused / not replied / partly replied] vide letter
dated [____]. The reply does not satisfy the requirements of
Sections 7(8) and 8 of the RTI Act, 2005, for the reasons set
out below.
3. Grounds of appeal:
(a) The reply does not record reasons for refusal, contrary to
Section 7(8) and Section 19(5).
(b) The PIO has not applied Section 8(2) public-interest
balancing.
(c) Severable parts under Section 10 have not been supplied.
(d) [add specific factual grounds].
4. Prayer: I pray that the FAA may be pleased to direct the PIO to
supply the information sought, free of cost under Section 7(6),
and to record findings on PIO conduct.
Yours faithfully,
[Name and signature]
[Address, phone, email]
Frequently asked questions
Is the inspection report disclosable?
Yes. An inspection report on your own property is disclosable. Photographs taken during inspection are part of the report.
Can the file noting be denied as 'internal deliberation'?
Post-decisional notings are disclosable per R.K. Jain v. UoI (2013). For a pending application, severability under Section 10 applies; not the entire file is exempt.
Can a flat allottee file the OC RTI even if the builder is the applicant?
Yes. As a flat allottee with locus, you may seek records of the OC application affecting your possession. Provide proof of allotment with the RTI.
Related
Sources
- The Right to Information Act, 2005 (Sections 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 19)
- The Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2012
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, Section 44(3)
- Model Building Bye-laws, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, https://mohua.gov.in
- State municipal acts and building rules as applicable
- Citizens' Charters of the relevant Municipal Corporation
- Central Information Commission and State Information Commission orders on OC delay
Last reviewed: 9 May 2026. Sources verified: statutory references and portal links cross-checked on 9 May 2026.
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