Due to a growing number of complaints about developers illegally transferring the same apartment to multiple buyers. The MahaRera Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRera) ordered them to publicly disclose whether the apartment was sold or reserved.
To avoid more than one transaction with apartments / plots, it is mandatory to provide information immediately once a flat is booked or sold. According to experts from the real estate market, there are cases where builders only issue an allotment letter to the buyer. (A letter of allotment kind of confirmation that the apartment is booked).
The apartment can be resold to another buyer and the first buyer remains unknown of this. Also the same apartment can even be mortgaged to banks or financial institutions. Ultimately, neither the first nor the second buyer is aware of the sale of the apartment. Also the bank is not aware of this kind of sale. Thus, the developer illegally collects funds for the same apartment from two or even three different buyers.
Difficulties to lenders and consumers–
Pankaj Kapoor, an official from a real estate firm, Liases Foras, said, the main purpose of RERA was to suppress such threats and actions. The law stipulates that developers upload information about mortgaged and sold properties on the RERA website. Previously, it was noticed that many builders’ projects were stuck in the NCR and MMR trap and practiced similar approaches. It had caused several difficulties to lenders and consumers. These builders need to severely be punished as this undermines consumer confidence and discredits the entire industry.
Shop Sold Multiple Times
Manohar Shroff, Navi Mumbai based builder said, Navi Mumbai has become “a villain’s port”. The whole industry suffers from some dishonest brokers and builders.
In one case, Shroff said a developer cheated or misled several investors and fled to Pune. In another case, a builder fled with Rs 100 crore, and a third sold a shop several times in Belapur’s CBD and misled buyers. So, to avoid these kinds of fraud, buyers should register their documents as soon as possible.
Must Register Sales Agreement-
Property law expert, Lawyer Anil Harish said, it appears that even after the arrival of RERA, some developers continue to issue more than one allotment letter for a single property. This is obviously wrong in both civil and criminal law.
Buyers should also check the MahaRERA website to see if the project registered and if building permits have been received. Also search sub-registrar registrations to check ownership and mortgages.
According to experts, buyers must register an agreement if more than 10% of the apartment price is paid. Stamp duty for a letter of employment, a letter of intent or a memorandum of understanding (MOU) can be 1% of the price to encourage people to sign up. This 1% must credited to the stamp duty specified in the contract, so you only have to pay the remaining 4%.
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