ACCO PAKISTAN

If you are a developer or just own land in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Lahore and intend to build a project, you will be frequently visiting their office for different approvals and procedures. Paperwork can get overwhelming and remembering all the steps, while overseeing construction, can be difficult. But, fret not. This is where we can help you. In this blog, we have elaborated the procedures of the DHA Lahore Building Control Branch that helps people with a large number of approvals and connections.

Let’s explore how the Building Control Branch of DHA Lahore facilitates citizens.

DHA Lahore Building Control Branch

What started as Civil and Defence Housing in 1973 is today known as DHA Lahore which has become a trusted and nationally recognized corporate organization in Pakistan. Determined to provide the people of Pakistan with an opportunity to live in an exceptionally well planned, highly facilitated and sustainable planned community, DHA Lahore is the first choice of many to build a home in the city.

The planned community of DHA Lahore instils societal, environmental and economic values which form the basis of a peaceful and congenial community living experience. 

While everything is mentioned in detail on the official website of DHA Lahore, going to the right tab for information may be tricky. There are six categories of procedures which are land, transfer, building control, maintenance, finance and senior citizens/veterans. However, here we have only discussed procedures of the Building Control Branch of DHA Lahore and when you will need to visit it.

These procedures are:

• Site plan issuance
• Submission of building drawings/plans
• No demand certificate
• Demarcation of plot
• Temporary sewerage connection
• New water and sewerage connection
• Completion certificate
• Duplicate site plan or completion certificate
• Renovation/repair of house/building
• Security refund
• House/building demolition
• Permission for use of a mechanical excavator
• Use of adjacent plot as lawn
• Use of open plot for stacking of construction material / temporary hut

Site Plan Issuance

A site plan is a drawing that outlines the conditions of land or a plot including its dimensions and area. It is issued by the DHA Lahore building Control Branch and is processed in two working days after paying the dues and submitting the original copy of the challan to the finance branch. The forms for the site plan application are available on the website as well as at Customer Care Services of DHA Lahore.

Documents Required

Following documents will be required from the applicant:

• Two copies of the site plan application form
• One copy of the allotment or transfer letter
• One photocopy of CNIC of the applicant

Submission Of Building Drawings/Plans

The building plans or drawings of the planned building have to be approved in order to obtain demarcation by the DHA Lahore office. Without this, the party can not begin construction and once they have received demarcation, construction on the plot has to begin within one month and be completed in two years.

The building plan has to be submitted to Customer Care Services in order to issue a payment slip. Based on the payment slip, the finance branch will generate challan which will be payable only in specific branches as mentioned on the challan. Building drawings along with a copy of challan has to be submitted to receive an approval letter of drawing. Following the approval, the applicant will get a TIP Tax payment slip from Building Control Branch and get a payment challan from the finance branch to be deposited in the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP). Three copies of the challan paid need to be submitted at the Building Control Branch to collect the building plan.

Documents Required

• Stability certificate of architect (original and photocopy)
• A photocopy of the allotment letter or a transfer letter
• Photocopy of current site plan issued by the Building Control Branch in current owner’s name
• A copy of the owner’s CNIC
• Original paid challan of drawing scrutiny
• General undertaking on PKR 50 affidavit
• Undertaking on affidavit PKR 50 for temp lavatory in residential buildings
• In case of the residential basement an undertaking on an affidavit of PKR 50
• In case of commercial basement an undertaking on an affidavit of PKR 50
• In case of swimming pool for residential building an undertaking
• No claim of services on an affidavit of PKR 50

No Demand Certificate

If there are no construction violations and all the dues are cleared, a No Demand Certificate can be generated. The applicant will submit the No Demand Certificate to the customer services officer of the Transfer & Record Branch after which a visit of DHA field staff will be scheduled. If a construction violation is observed, the owner will be informed on their address and in case of no violation, no demand certificate will be processed. 

Documents Required

• Copy of site plan issued in the name of the current owner
• Copy of completion certificate 
• Copy of allotment letter or transfer letter
• Copy of owner’s CNIC
• NOC from Cantt. Board
• NOC from W&R Directorates and GHQ Rawalpindi in case the plot is is allotted out of service benefit quota or defence quota

Demarcation Of Plot

Demarcation is defining the boundary of a plot and it is required before the construction begins on a plot. The procedure for demarcation begins after the owner has the approvals for the building plan. It takes 5-8 working days to get the demarcation of the plot and is valid only for one month.

A demarcation form along with complete documents will be submitted to the customer services officer at the Building Control branch and an acknowledgement along with the date to collect demarcation papers will be given.

Documents Required

• NOC for dues clearance from Finance
• Filled demarcation and pass performa by the owner or DHA’s special power of attorney holder
• Photocopy of TIP tax or IPF whichever is applicable
• A stamp paper of PKR 50 to be attested by Oath Commissioner for the undertaking of own water supply arrangements
• A stamp paper of PKR 50 to be attested by Oath Commissioner for the undertaking of stacking of material and temporary hut
• A photocopy of the drawing approval letter

Temporary Sewerage Connection

The application process time for a temporary sewerage connection is 12 working days. The owner is required to construct a septic tank as per the approved drawing and a temporary lavatory on the plot after the demarcation of the plot. After submitting the application, a field staff visit will be scheduled within 10-12 working days and the construction of the septic tank and lavatory has to be completed by then. If the field staff approves, a temporary sewerage connection will be provided.

Documents Required

• The application form requesting the Director of Building Control to open the temporary sewerage connection

New Water And Sewerage Connection

To get a new water and sewerage connection, the applicant has to fill a form and pay the challan in a designated bank mentioned on the challan and an acknowledgement will be issued by Customer Care Services. A visit of field staff will be scheduled once the construction of floor, plaster, gate, doors, windows and plumbing and electrification of the house or a building are completed. If there are no violations, a recommendation will be made for the opening of water and sewerage connections. After the removal of the previously installed water pump for construction purposes, the sewerage connection will be opened. 

Documents Required

• Application form completely filled by the owner or their attorney
• One photocopy, as well as the original copy of the challan of water and sewerage connections, paid at the designated bank
• Photocopy of CNIC of the owner or attorney in case they are the applicant
• Two identical coloured photographs of the front elevation of the house or building on a photo paper of size 6”x4”. It is important that complete elevation, beam area or driveway and paved area etc. are properly visible
• In case the applicant owns a corner plot and requesting water and sewerage connections for that, two coloured photographs of the same size will be required for side elevation
• A photocopy of the site plan with the current owner’s name

Completion Certificate

It takes around 20 working days for a Completion Certificate to process only if there are no violations. The applicant will submit the application at Building Control Branch and if there were any revisions made in the drawings or plan of the building, these have to be submitted and approved before applying for the Completion Certificate. After submission of documents and form, a field visit will be scheduled and if there are no violations in construction plans, a Completion Certificate will be issued. 

Documents Required

• An application to Director Building Control requesting the issuance of a Completion Certificate
• 2 coloured pictures of the front elevation of the house and two additional coloured pictures of side elevation in case of a corner plot on a paper of 6”x4”
• Two sets of ammonia prints of approved drawings
• Original paid challan of Completion Certificate
• Photocopy of paid challan of late completion fee (if applicable)
• Photocopy of paid challan of water and sewerage connection
• Photocopy of DHA issued letter for sewerage opening
• Photocopy of paid challan on account of sewer tampering charges
• Photocopy of CNIC of the owner

Duplicate Site Plan Or Completion Certificate

Requesting for a duplicate site plan or completion certificate requires 12 working days to process. An application with required documents has to be submitted to the Building Control Branch. After the client receives the acknowledgement from the customer services officer, the duplicate site plan will be issued in said working days.

Required Documents

• An application addressed to Director Building Control requesting the issuance of a duplicate site plan
• A copy of the owner’s CNIC
• Original challan paid for the duplicate site plan

Renovation/Repair Of House/Building

The applicant has to submit the required documents at Customer Care Services after which a field visit will be scheduled. If everything seems to be fine, a letter of approval will be dispatched to the owner to begin the renovation or repair works.

Documents Required

• A written application that outlines the details of intended renovations or repairs
• A copy of the owner’s CNIC
• Copy of allotment letter or transfer letter
• Originally paid challan of debris charges for renovation.
• The undertaking of renovation on a stamp paper of PKR 50 for residential or commercial

Refund Of Security

‘Refund of security’ requires a month to process. The owner is required to submit documents at Customer Care Services after which the DHA management will approve the refund of security. The owner will be informed via letter to collect the cheque from the finance branch.

Documents Required

• Application from the owner
• A copy of CNIC
• Original paid challan

House/Building Demolition

Request to demolish a house or a building takes 12 working days to process and the permission letter is dispatched at the address of the owner. The owner needs to submit the documents and a visit of field staff will be scheduled. The owner will be dispatched a letter along with a challan on account of security charges and a sample of undertaking to demolish the house or a building which has to be submitted by the owner at Customer Services Centre. A permission letter will be granted after verifying documents and inspecting the property.

Documents Required

• Application to Director Building Control 
• A copy of CNIC
• A copy of the completion certificate of the house or building

Permission For Use Of Mechanical Excavator

An excavator cannot be used without the permission from DHA Lahore office and a penalty of PKR 50,000 will be charged in case of violation. It takes 12 working days to process the requests. After submitting the required documents, a field staff visit will be scheduled to inspect the property. The DHA office will send a letter to the owner’s address along with a challan and a specimen of undertaking that will be required on a stamp paper of PKR 50. A permission letter to use the excavator will be dispatched to the owner’s address.

Documents Required

• Application from the owner to the director of Building Control
• A copy of CNIC

Use Of Adjacent Plot As Lawn

This is possible if the owner of the plot is the same as the adjacent house or a relative (only parent, children, wife or husband). The request takes about 12 working days to get approval. An undertaking on a stamp paper of PKR 50 has to be submitted along with required documents. The approval letter will be dispatched to the owner along with demarcation forms for the adjacent plot. After the process for demarcation completes, the owner can construct a boundary wall around the plot and use it as a lawn.

Documents Required

• Site plan of the house and the plot
• Copies of letter of allotment or transfer letter of both house and plot
• Copy of CNIC of owners
• If the owner of the house and the plot is not the same, a signed application of both owners will be needed

Use Of Plot For Stacking Of Construction Material

After submitting the documents, a field visit will be scheduled and a letter will be dispatched including the specimen for the undertaking of use of plot for stacking construction material. The undertaking has to be submitted in a stamp paper of PKR 50 and a permission letter will be dispatched in eight working days.

Documents Required

• Application from owner
• A copy of CNIC

This is all you need to know about the procedures of the DHA Lahore Building Control Branch. You will also find the details of their e-services, facilities and projects on their website.

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