Why Do Buildings Skip the 13th Floor? The Reason Might Surprise You

Have you ever noticed that buildings often lack a 13th-floor designation? Checking the floor number is crucial when buying a flat. Here is what you need to know about MahaRERA rules and essential points for homebuyers.

You may have often noticed that in the elevators of large buildings, the number 14 follows immediately after 12—as if the 13th floor simply does not exist. This is usually due to the superstition surrounding the number 13, which is often considered unlucky. However, if you are planning to buy such a flat, relying solely on the number displayed in the elevator could prove costly. A minor discrepancy in the floor number can lead to future complications regarding property registration, home loans, tax records, and even the eventual sale of the flat.

Fahim Lakdawala purchased such a flat in a Mumbai housing project. He believed his flat was on the 13th floor, yet the property tax bill listed it as the 14th floor. When he questioned the developer, he was informed that—due to the superstition regarding the number 13—the building had skipped the 13th-floor designation and labeled that level as the 14th floor instead.

The matter reached MahaRERA. Although he did not receive immediate relief because the project was already completed, the authority acknowledged that the building's numbering differed from the approved plan. It further ruled that if flat owners faced any issues in the future due to this numbering, the developer would be responsible for rectifying the situation.

Why Homebuyers Should Be Cautious

According to experts, the flat number and floor number must be consistent across the sale agreement, approved building plan, property tax records, utility connections (electricity and water), and society documents. If the sale agreement lists the flat as number 14, but the government-approved plan records it as number 13, banks may raise objections when processing home loans. Such discrepancies can also create difficulties when selling the property later. If a developer wishes to avoid using the number '13', this decision should be made while the building plan is being prepared. Arbitrarily assigning the number '14' to a floor after approval has been granted is not the correct approach. In accordance with regulations, this floor could ideally be designated as a common area, a service area, or a refuge floor.

How ​​to verify before buying a flat

Before purchasing a home, you should check the approved building plan by looking up the project's registration number on the state's RERA portal. Additionally, physically count the floors from the ground up and cross-check the numbering against the sale agreement, tax records, and society documents. If necessary, consult a lawyer and include a clause in the agreement stating that the developer will be held liable for any future legal or tax-related issues arising from the floor numbering.