What Is B Khata? Meaning, Risks, and How to Convert to A Khata (2026)

Learn what B Khata means in Karnataka, how it differs from A Khata, the risks of owning a B Khata property, loan eligibility issues, and the complete B Khata to A Khata conversion process.
Quick Summary: (TL; DR)
B Khata is a property record maintained by BBMP / GBA for properties that do not fully comply with municipal building bylaws, zoning regulations, or DC conversion requirements. B Khata properties are considered semi-legal.
Most banks will not give home loans on B Khata properties or Interest on Loan will be High Compared to A Khata Property.
Owners cannot legally sell, transfer, or renovate without restrictions.
The good news: the Karnataka government approved a 100-day B Khata to A Khata conversion drive starting November 1, 2025, properties registered on or before September 30, 2024 are eligible.
Conversion costs include betterment charges of ₹200 to ₹250 per sq metre and stamp duty at 2% of guidance value.
What Is B Khata in Karnataka?
B Khata is a property record maintained by BBMP / GBA for properties that do not fully comply with municipal building bylaws, zoning regulations, or DC conversion requirements. B Khata properties are considered semi-legal. Khata means "account" in Kannada. In Bengaluru's property system, it is the official record maintained by BBMP,now GBA or Greater Bengaluru Authority, that links a property to its owner for tax assessment and civic services.
There are two main types of Khata in Bengaluru:
Type | What It Means |
A Khata | Property fully complies with BBMP / GBA by laws, zoning, and approvals are fully legal |
B Khata | The property is in the "B Register" semi-legal, has deviations or pending approvals. |
B Khata was created by BBMP to collect property tax from buildings that do not fully comply with municipal rules, but it is NOT a sign of legal ownership. The 2014 Karnataka High Court ruling specifically stated that B Khata properties must be converted to A Khata to restore full legality.
Also Read: What is A Khata Property: Meaning, Usage, Registration Steps.
What Is the Difference Between A Khata and B Khata?
Factor | A Khata | B Khata |
Legal status | It is fully legal and compliant with all laws | Semi-legal which has deviations or pending approvals |
Bank loans | All banks and NBFCs can issue loans. | Most public sector banks refuse yet some NBFCs may lend at higher interest rates. |
Resale/transfer | There are no restrictions. | It is legally restricted and there may be complications for sale. |
Construction permits | Any construction permit needed is approved without any issue . | GBA doesnt issue construction permits with a B-khata. |
Property tax rate | The property is taxed at standard rate | The property is taxed at a higher rate due to pending compliance |
Civic services | Full access of water, sewage, electricity is given easily. | Difficulties in getting new connections for the given property. |
Court ruling | There is no legal risk | In 2014 HC ruled conversion to A Khata needed. |
New issuance | Still issued till date | No new B Khatas issued after September 30, 2024. |
Also Read: What is the Difference Between A Khata VS B Khata VS E Khata in Bangalore?
What Are the Disadvantages of B Khata?
Owning a B Khata property in Bengaluru comes with some serious limitations:
1.) No Home Loans from Major Banks.
Public sector banks like SBI, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, do not fund B Khata properties. Some private NBFCs may offer loans, but at higher interest rates and stricter terms. This significantly limits the buyer pool when you try to sell.
2.) Cannot Legally Sell or Transfer.
B Khata properties face legal restrictions on resale, gift deed execution, and inheritance transfer. Buyers are cautious. Any sale involving a B Khata property requires more documentation, takes longer, and often falls through during due diligence.
3.) No Building Plan Approvals
BBMP and GBA do not issue building plan approvals or occupancy certificates for B Khata properties. Any construction, extension, or renovation done without approval risks demolition notices and penalties.
4.) Risk of Demolition
If GBA runs a regularisation drive and your B Khata property does not qualify, it faces demolition risk, especially if there are major structural violations or the land has not been converted from agricultural to non-agricultural use.
5.) Higher Property Tax
B Khata properties are taxed at higher rates than comparable A Khata properties due to pending compliance penalties applied during assessment.
Can B Khata Property Be Registered?
Yes, the registration of a B Khata property at the Sub-Registrar's Office is possible. But registration alone does not make a B Khata property legal. It only records the transaction. The property remains in the B Register with all its restrictions intact. Many buyers make the mistake of thinking that a registered sale deed on a B Khata property gives them full ownership rights but it does not. The A Khata conversion must follow after B Khata.
Also Read: How to convert B Khata into A Khata in Bangalore?
Is It Compulsory to Convert B Khata to A Khata?
Not legally forced, but practically essential. Without A Khata:
You cannot get a home loan from any major bank
You cannot sell without facing buyer resistance
You cannot get building plan approval for any modification
Your property may face legal risk under the 2014 Karnataka HC ruling
Your property tax is assessed at a higher rate
The Karnataka government's 2025 conversion drive effectively makes A Khata the standard for all property transactions. As of July 1, 2025, e-Khata registration is mandatory for all BBMP properties and e-Khata is the digital form of A Khata.
Also Read: B Khata to A Khata conversion is legal now with 2% Guidance Value.
What Are the Benefits of B Khata?
There is really one main benefit: lower purchase price.
B Khata properties typically sell at a 20 - 40% discount compared to equivalent A Khata properties. For buyers with cash reserves, legal expertise, and a clear conversion plan, this discount can be attractive.
However, this only makes sense if:
The property was registered on or before September 30, 2024 and is eligible for automatic conversion.
All property taxes are cleared
There are no major structural violations
DC conversion has been done or is feasible
How to Convert B Khata to A Khata Under the 2025 GBA Scheme
The Karnataka State Cabinet approved a major B Khata regularisation scheme under the GBA Act. A 100-day drive was launched November 1, 2025 targeting approximately 15 lakh B Khata property owners in Bengaluru.
Eligibility Criteria
Condition | Requirement |
Registration date | On or before September 30, 2024 |
Property tax dues | All dues must be cleared before applying |
Building violations | Only minor deviations eligible major violations need separate scheme |
Area | Properties under 2,000 sq metres apply online, larger need registered architect route |
Conversion Fees
Fee Type | Amount |
Application fee | ₹500 |
Betterment charge | ₹200 to ₹250 per sq metre (zone-based) |
Stamp duty component | 2% of the property's stamp duty value |
Khata certificate fee | ₹25 per copy |
Khata extract fee | ₹100 per copy |
e-Khata registration | ₹125 processing + ₹45 service charge |
*check govermentt portal for the latest rates and pricing.
Step-by-Step Conversion Process
Step 1: Visit bbmpeaasthi.karnataka.gov.in or the Sakala platform
Step 2: Register using your name, mobile number, and property details
Step 3: Search your property using the survey number or owner name
Step 4: Check eligibility, confirm if the property was registered before September 30, 2024
Step 5: Upload documents:
Document | Details |
For proof of ownership | |
All dues cleared | |
Aadhaar and PAN | Identity proof |
Property sketch / site plan | From a licensed surveyor |
If agricultural land was involved | |
From the layout authority if applicable |
Step 6: Pay betterment charges and applicable fees online
Step 7: BBMP/GBA engineer inspection once they verify on-site
Step 8: Approval and A Khata certificate issued within 30 to 45 working days
Conclusion
B Khata is not the end of the road for a property, but it is a serious limitation that affects loans, resale, and legal standing every single day you hold it. The 2025 GBA regularisation scheme gives eligible B Khata owners a real, structured, and affordable path to A Khata with online applications, fixed fees, and a 30 to 45-day processing window. If your property was registered before September 30, 2024 and your taxes are clear, start the conversion process now. The longer you wait, the more transactions and opportunities you miss. And if you are thinking of buying a B Khata property, run the eligibility check first, talk to a property lawyer, and make sure your conversion plan is solid before you sign anything.


