Summary of this article
DDA mandates audits for certain older buildings
Owners and occupiers must complete audits within three months
Buyers should check structural records before purchasing
Homebuyers and residents of older buildings in Delhi may need to pay much closer attention to the structural conditions of properties, as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has issued a public notice on September 22, 2026. In the notice, DDA had directed mandatory structural safety audits for older buildings. Under the notice, all high-rise buildings that measure more than 15 metres and were sanctioned before March 21, 2001, are now required to undergo a structural safety audit. The assessment must be completed within three months, putting the responsibility on owners and occupiers of the affected properties to initiate the process within the prescribed period.
Which Buildings Are Covered?
This directive by DDA is not just limited to residential towers. Older buildings used for housing, commercial activity and institutional purposes can fall within its scope. Additionally, buildings that are less than 15 metres in height may also require an audit if they were sanctioned before March 21, 2001 and are heavily inhabited. The categories mentioned in the coverage of the DDA notice include group housing, hospitals, educational buildings and other institutional structures. This means that the threshold of the height alone may not determine whether an old building is supposed to be assessed or not.
This move comes amid concerns over the structural safety of ageing buildings in Delhi, also factoring in the city’s vulnerability to earthquakes. Recent building collapses in Delhi have also brought renewed attention to the condition and maintenance of older structures.
The structural safety assessment is expected to be undertaken by the engineers associated with municipal corporations, government departments or government organisations. The cost of the audit is to be borne by the owners or occupiers of the concerned buildings. For residents who are living in group housing societies, this could mean that resident welfare associations or other management bodies may need to coordinate with the eligible structural professionals and ensure that the assessment is completed within the given period of time.
What Does This Mean For Homebuyers?
For prospective buyers in Delhi, especially those who are considering buying an older apartment or property, the DDA directive adds another factor to examine during due diligence. Buyers should also check the year of sanction, the building’s height, and its present structural condition. They can also ask the seller, housing society or management body whether any structural safety audit has been conducted and whether any repairs were made. An audit does not automatically mean that a building is unsafe. Rather, its purpose is to assess the structural condition and identify whether corrective measures are required for the particular establishment.
As for the owners of such properties, the three-month compliance window makes timely assessment very important in making sure that the inhabitants are living safely. As for the homebuyers, this development highlights why structural records, maintenance history and safety assessment form part of property diligence. The DDA’s September 22, 2026, notice places greater importance on safety in Delhi’s ageing building stock while giving owners a defined timeframe to assess and address present and future risks.
