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BUILDER’S HANDOVER PROCESS

BUILDER’S HANDOVER PROCESS

The date of handover from builder to the registered owners association is an important day for new apartment owners and all residents. It has to be taken seriously and detailed due diligence must be done when interacting with the builders during this handover process. Once the formal handover to the Owners Association is completed, the onus is on the association to run the affairs of the society and to ensure its smooth functioning. The association must be prepared for this day for 3+ months leading to this event.
It is recommended that owners collaboratively engage with the builder right from late construction stages that will help them to take-up this responsibility in future. The builders can also reach out to representatives from the owners group to assist in the selection of maintenance agency which prepares them for the handover process.
Based on our experience in interacting with various builders and associations, we have collated a check list that associations can use when in dialogue with the builder on the handover process:
1. Get approved building plan which includes block-wise and floor-wise details
2. Collect the Completion Certificate which ensures adherence of the approved plan
3. No Objection certificates from pollution, fire, water and electricity authorities
4. Hard copy and soft copy (in CD) of all approved engineering drawings; look for approval seal on the drawings
5. Registration and parent documents
6. Drainage, sewage, Fire protection and common area power layout drawings
7. Car parking layout drawings (with numbering)
8. Asset Inventory of all movable and immovable equipment purchased; numbered in order (list needs to be exhaustive)
9. Record of recent service history on key equipment’s like lifts, DG sets, STP and WTP
10. AMC and warranty details; Original bills of equipment purchased (motors, Sewage and Water Treatment Plant, Generators, Gym items like treadmill)
11. Lift license details and next renewal date
12. STP/WTP vendor details, plant layout, operation manual and drawings
13. Receipts of property, electricity and water payments paid
14. Handover of corpus amount to the association
15. Share recent expenses incurred on various maintenance activities and account heads; will assist to budget coming year (staff salaries, purchase of cleaning material, swimming pool maintenance etc)
16. Contract signed with maintenance agency; agreed SLAs
17. Insurance taken for assets and third party lift insurance
18. Audited account statement at the time of handover
19. Arrange for introductory meeting with important suppliers and vendors

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CHECKLIST FOR HANDOVER OF SOCIETY FROM BUILDER

CHECKLIST FOR HANDOVER OF SOCIETY FROM BUILDER

During the handover procedure it is important to record and file all details related to the process so that even if problems arise years later, all you need to do is look through this set of records and, accordingly, figure out what to do next.
The builder-residents society handover procedure needs to be structured, but that’s not where the process ends. There are a few things you should remember to check even after the builder hands over your society.
1)Make sure all society related issues are recorded and filed: All defects that you find should be typed as a letter with a signed acknowledgement of the same from the builder, so he is obligated to fix them. All important e-mails should be printed and kept safely for future references.
2)Make sure you make good use of the builder provided warranty period: Builders generally offer a warranty period within which defects are to be pointed out and duly fixed.
3)Form a team of volunteers to check and cross check all formalities are done correctly: Apart from the Management Committee, it is recommended that you bring together a group of residents to volunteer in making sure all necessary documents have been collected and all required formalities have been done. (To learn what documents you need during society handover, read ‘Keep a Check on These When Builder Hands Over Your Housing Society’)
4)Get a community management software to help you keep a permanent track of records: Getting a society management portal will prove significantly helpful in the overall management of your community activities in the long run. (For example: Common Floor Groups portal. With its many features such as Discussion, Complaints, My Dues, Issue Tracker, Documents repository this portal will serve as a platform to execute and manage community related activities effectively.)
5)Keep originals safely and copies separately with the Committee President: Make sure you keep originals of documents at a safe place such as the Association office and their copies with the Committee President which, when his tenure ends, are passed on to his successor.
6)Make sure you have all documents mentioned on the ‘Handover’ Checklist: Double check that you have all documents mentioned on the handover checklist in ‘Keep a Check on These When Builder Hands Over Your Housing Society’.

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What is Conveyance Deed?

What is Conveyance Deed?

Conveyance’ refers to the act of transferring the title, ownership, rights and interests in a property, from one entity to another. The term ‘deed’ refers to an instrument, like a written document that is signed by all the parties to a contract, in this case, the seller and buyer. It is a binding contract that is enforceable in a court of law. A conveyance deed is, therefore, a contract in which, the seller transfers all rights to legally own and keep a property. The purchase of a property is not complete without a valid conveyance deed.
A valid conveyance deed must contain the following:
1. The actual demarcation of the property.
2. Other rights annexed to the property and its use.
3. The full chain of titles, that is, all legal rights up until the present seller.
4. The method of delivery of the property to the buyer.
5. A memo of the consideration, stating how it has been received.
6. Any further applicable terms and conditions for the full transfer of ownership rights.
Important points to consider, to ensure smooth purchase/sale of a property:
The seller is required to certify that the property is free of any legal encumbrance.
If a loan was taken against the property in question, then, the mortgage must be cleared before the deed is signed. Buyers have the option of having this checked at the local sub-registrar’s office.
The conveyance deed should state the exact date on which the property will be handed over to the buyer.
Within four months of the execution of the deed, all the original documents related to the sale of the property, need to be produced for registration before the local registrar.
The deed is required to be signed by at least two witnesses.

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Basic Preparation for Deemed Conveyance

Basic Preparation for Deemed Conveyance:

This is a very important stage where the Managing Committee prepares the Members of Co- Operative Housing Society for the Deemed Conveyance.

The Managing Committee convenes a Special General Meeting (SGM) of the Society by giving suitable notice highlighting the agenda.
The Managing Committee places before the SGM the difficulties faced for obtaining the Conveyance from the Land Owners/ Property Developers. The Managing Committee explains the effects of non- availability of Conveyance to the Members. The Managing Committee explains the Procedure & Benefits of Deemed Conveyance to the Members.
During this SGM the following Resolutions are typically passed.
1. Resolution for going ahead with Deemed Conveyance
2. Resolution for Appointment of Authorized Representative
3. Resolution for Appointment of Legal Consultant for Deemed Conveyance
4. Resolution for Per Member Contributions

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WHY A CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY IS BETTER THAN APARTMENT OWNERS ASSOCIATION?

WHY A CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY IS BETTER THAN APARTMENT OWNERS ASSOCIATION?

1. The builder is interested in using the increased FSI which will be awarded by the govt. for that area at any time in future. If the ‘Society’ is formed, then upon the transfer and conveyance of land in favour of the Society, the increased FSI will be owned by the Society and the builder shall not have any right over it. But if it is an Apartment, then the builder owns that increased FSI and can use it anywhere. Thus, the builder will keep taking advantage of every increase in FSI throughout in the future.
2. In an Apartment, the builder retains the ownership of the open spaces which are not included in the saleable area. Example – Terrace or any open parking/stairs space which is not included in the saleable area. But in case of Society, the builder cannot retain any right on any of these areas and has to hand over everything to the Society. The Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act also provides for the ownership of an individual Apartment in a building and to make such Apartment heritable and transferable property.
3. Bye-laws and Rules of ‘Society’ are binding on all the residents and nobody can act as per his/her whims. Hence, if the Society decides to ban any objectionable commercial activities in the flats such as noise-making music classes or using the flat for catering or courier activities etc or not to rent out to bachelors etc, then all the residents have to abide by it. But if it is an Apartment, then owners can violate the Apartment Rules and the Apartment Body can just file a case in the Civil Court. However, while the Society disputes are resolved in a separate Court i.e. Co-operative Court dealing with Society matters and hence they are fast resolved whereas, the Apartment matters have to be taken to the normal Civil Court and hence they typically take years and decades to resolve.
4. When the building contemplates redevelopment after 25-30 years, the Society’s decision will be final and hence the Society members will have negotiation power with the builder at that time. But if in case of an Apartment, the consent of every Apartment-owner is required and hence it goes into an endless delay due to lack of a common decision acceptable to everybody. There are many instances in Mumbai wherein finally the dilapidated buildings had to be forcefully vacated by an eviction order from Court since they became unlivable. Thus, while the decisions are taken on a ‘majority’ basis in Society, the Apartment goes with rule of ‘Acceptable by Everybody’. So if the builder has retained even one flat in an Apartment, he will play a veto card in his favour at the time of redevelopment.

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Need for Deemed Conveyance

Need for Deemed Conveyance
A Co-Operative Housing Society is the owner of the Land & Building & individual member enjoys the ownership right of the Flat/ Shop based on the Share Certificate issued by the Co- Operative Housing Society.

A vast majority of Co- Operative Housing Societies does not have the Conveyance in their favour & hence are not the owners of their Land & Building. In this situation, even though each member of the Co- Operative Housing Society has paid full consideration and is in possession of the Flat/ Shop allotted, he does not enjoy the benefits of title ownership of the Flat/ Shop.
In case of Co-Operative Housing Societies formed long back, many of the Buildings are in dilapidated condition and their repairs are not economically viable. The best solution available for these Co- Operative Housing Societies is to go ahead with Redevelopment. The non- availability of the Conveyance & therefore free/ marketable Title affects the Redevelopment Process badly.
In case of Co- Operative Housing Societies formed recently, the Redevelopment at the moment is not on the agenda. However the non- availability of the Conveyance and free and marketable Title may affect its present Revenue and may be a hindrance in Redevelopment process in future.
Therefore Deemed Conveyance is in the larger interest of the Co- Operative Housing Societies (and their each and every member) who are denied their right of Conveyance by the Land- Owners & Property Developers.

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Essential Elements in a Conveyance Deed

Essential Elements in a Conveyance Deed

The term “Deed” means a written legal contract that binds the parties to its terms and can be proved in the court as evidence.
The term ‘Conveyance’ is used when there is transfer of ownership or legal title in a property from one person to another. Hence, a conveyance deed is a legal document between a transferor and a transferee, which proves that a title or ownership in the property along with all other rights related to the property have been transferred from one person to another.
It informs that the property is free from any restrictions and disputes. Both parties sign it and it can be produced in a court if any dispute relating to the agreement arises in future.
However, a conveyance deed is a wide term which not only includes a sale of the property but also other kinds of transfers such as gift, exchange, lease, mortgage, relinquishment and other transfers.
A conveyance deed is valid only when the property is sold for a valid consideration (usually money) except in the case of a gift deed which results out of love and affection.
It can be signed for either movable or immovable property.
A conveyance deed is executed in accordance with the legal provisions under the Transfer of Property Act 1882, Registration Act 1908 and Indian Stamp Act, 1899.
In order to be valid and acceptable in a court, a conveyance deed needs to contain some essential elements. For instance, it must:
* Establish exact boundaries of the property to avoid any dispute relating to land ownership,
* State that all the rights relating to the property have been transferred along with the property,
* Provide details regarding delivery and acceptance of the property,
* State all terms and conditions relating to the transfer,
* Be made on a non-judicial stamp paper and signed by both parties,
* Mention full names, addresses and other requisite details of the seller and the buyer,
* State that the property is free from any disputes and restrictions,
* Be signed by at least two witnesses
* Be in writing and notarized, and
* Be registered through the local registrar’s office by submitting appropriate registration fee. Registration is proof that the property is free from any disputes and has been transferred to the buyer permanently with a clean title.
Once the registration is complete, the buyer becomes the absolute owner of the property and the conveyance process gets over officially. A lawyer and a real estate agent can help two parties compose, sign, and register a deed of conveyance during a transaction. The government obtains its revenue from the stamp duty and registration fees.

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ADVOCATES FOR FORMATION OF A NEW HOUSING SOCIETY IN PUNE

ADVOCATES FOR FORMATION OF A NEW HOUSING SOCIETY IN PUNE

First general body meeting (before registration)

In this meeting under Society’s Model Bye-law 3(iii), the Chief Promoter (could be the builder) is primarily selected by the promoters, who are members co-signing the registration application before the Registering Authority, under Bye-law 3(xii).

In this meeting, necessary resolutions are passed like opening the account in a bank in the name of proposed society and for obtaining permission for reserving the name of the society. It is compulsory for SRA/ MHADA recognized societies, for the first meeting to be video-recorded.

Application for registration

Normally, the name reservation proposal should be accompanied with the society resolutions and signatures of at least 10 Promoters who have attended the meeting. On allotment of name and permission to open a bank account by the Registrar, the Chief Promoter has to collect Share Capital, Entrance Fees from promoters and deposit the same in the branch of the bank permitted by the Registrar. It should be noted that the amount cannot be withdrawn from the Bank till the society is registered or its registration is refused, except with prior written permission of the Registrar. The Chief Promoter should submit registration proposal to the registering authority within a period of 3 months from the date of issue of Letter of Reservation in the name of the proposed society.

If builder/ promoter is not co-operating in registering the Co-operative Housing Society, then in that case, the application for registration of society be submitted in Form 6 (Rule 12) before the District Deputy Registrar, who has been given power under section 10(1) of the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act 1963. While submitting the said proposal, a Notarized Indemnity Bond of the members who applied for the registration of society on the stamp paper of Rs. 200 is required.

Documents required for Registration
• 7/12 extract of the land or property card.
• Certificate concerning non-agricultural land from the competent authority
• The order of applicable or non-applicable of land ceiling Act
• Construction layout duly approved by the competent authority
• Letter of sanction for starting construction
• Certificate regarding completion of construction work
• Development Agreement if the land is taken for development
• Letter of Power of Attorney of the land
• Title search report of the land
• The registered agreement of purchases of the flat with necessary stamp duty paid
• Architect Certificate regarding construction
• List of Members
• Scheme of the Society
• Application for reserving name
• At least ten members are necessary for registration of society. On the other hand, the government has given permission subject to some conditions for the Housing society of fewer than 10 members by exercising powers. For registration proposal, the signature of sixty percent promoters, who participated in the registration proposal is necessary.
• If the land is given by the government or undertaking agency of the government then its guarantee letter.
• No objection certificates from the Charitable Commissioner if the land is of Trust.
• Certificate of the competent authority regarding non-agricultural plot
• While registering SRA/SRD and MHADA recognized Co-operative Housing Societies, it is obligatory to fulfill the necessary papers as per instructions are given by the authorities by their circulars in addition to above criterion.
• Application for Registering Society (A form)
• Table giving information of society (B Form)
• Table giving details of the members (C Form)
• Statement of Accounts of the Members (D Form)
• Notarized Guarantee letter by the Chief Promoter of the society on the stamp Paper of Rs. 100/-
• Notarized Guarantee letter by the Builder, Promoter on the Stamp Paper of Rs. 100/-
• Affidavit of Members (Affidavit of Minimum 10 Promoters)
• Two copies of bye-laws of the Society approved by the Commissioner, Co-operation and Registrar, Co-operative Societies and Maharashtra State, Pune
• Proof of the bank balance of the promoter member (deposit of each share of Rs. 500 and admission fee of Rs. 100), after getting permission for reservation in the District Central Co-operative Bank
• Challan of Rs. 2500/- deposited in the Government Treasury Registration fee for the Housing Society of the Backward class is Rs. 50/-
Approval by Registrar

It is the duty of the concerned Registrar to register the Co-operative Housing Society, by scrutinizing the proposal submitted after fulfillment of above mentioned documents, and shall make an arrangement of issuing certificate of registration society under Section 9(1) of the Maharashtra Co-operative Society Act 1960, and copy of the registered bye-law, memorandum regarding registration of society to the chief promoter. The order regarding registration of society should have been sent for publishing in government gazette to the Government Printing Press for appropriate action. It is necessary to take decision on the registration of the society within a period of two months from the date of the proposal of the society submitted to the Registrar.

If proposal of society registration is denied or no decision is taken within two months then it is necessary to send that proposal to the Divisional Joint Registrar, Co-operative Societies under Section 152 of the Maharashtra Co. operative societies Act, can be approached.

First General Body Meeting obligatory Agenda (after registration):

• To elect a Chairman for the meeting
• To admit persons to membership who have applied for membership of the society.
• To elect a provisional Managing Committee
• To receive and approve the statement of account as prepared by the Chief Promoter of the society up to 14 days prior to the first general body meeting of the society.
• To authorize the committee to secure conveyance of right title and interest in the property in the name of the society from the promoter builder
• To impose restrictions on raising loan amount from outside
• To appoint internal auditor and to fix his remuneration
• To authorize one of the members of the provisional committee to call the first meeting of the provisional committee
• To take decision about taking membership of District Housing Federation and other institutions
• To give power to one member of provisional management committee to call meeting of the managing committee
• To consider the matters raised by the member except these matters which are necessary for giving advance notice with the permission of chairman and eleventh hour matter and to make resolution in that regard.

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CONVEYANCE SERVICES FOR SOCIETIES

CONVEYANCE SERVICES FOR SOCIETIES:-

In most of the cases people believe that a Purchase Agreement is the final document they need to own. However, a mere purchase agreement does not pass on the developer’s rights on the land to the society. Societies need to make sure they have the complete right to the land, and mere society registration and formation does not provide those rights.
A Conveyance Deed helps societies to gain the right of their land. Post this builder relinquishes his legal right on the land.
We the “VED LEGAL” provide end-to-end conveyance services to the societies including execution of Conveyance Deed, Deemed Conveyance, and Deed of Apartments. We work closely with co-operative societies and government officials and make sure the complete process is hassle free.
With our team of legal advisers and professional approach, we have handled more than 100 cases across Pune. We guide our clients through the complete process of transferring builder’s rights, allocation of additional space and finally establishment of society rights, as per the law.
Our conveyance services include:
Apartment formation:
• Deed of Declaration • Deed of Apartment
Co-operative Societies Conveyance:
• Conveyance deed with builder’s consent • Deemed Conveyance – without builder’s consent

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COMPARISON BETWEEN CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY AND CONDOMINIUM

COMPARISON BETWEEN CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY AND CONDOMINIUM

Act – Co-operative Society, which is regulated by the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960.
Act – An alternative to a Co-operative Housing Society was introduced by the Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act, 1970. Condominium is a Building or Complex of Buildings containing a number of individually owned Apartments or houses. ownership of common areas is shared by all.
Requirement for formation – Generally require minimum 10 members/Flats to form CHS.
Requirement for formation – In Condominium, even one person who owns the entire building can form a Condominium provided there are at least five Apartments in the building.
Conveyance Deed of the land – The title of the land and the building is transferred and conveyed to the Society, which becomes the owner thereof.
Conveyance Deed of the land – The title of each Apartment rests with the Apartment owner, who also has a proportionate undivided interest in the land on which the building stands the common areas and facilities of the building.
Share Certificate – A Society issues certain shares to its members as per the Bylaws and the Share Certificate becomes an important title deed, since the allotment of the premises are related thereto.
Share Certificate – This is not so in a Condominium of Apartments/Buildings.
Management Committee – The affairs of the Society are managed by the Managing Committee which is elected by the members of the Society. The Managing Committee elects a Chairman, Secretary, and a Treasurer. Election conducted by State Co-op Election Authority(SCEA)
Management Committee – Similarly, the affairs of a Condominium are managed by the Board of Managers who is elected by the members of the Apartment Owners Association. The Board also elects a President, Vice-President, Secretary and a Treasurer.
Share Charges & Flat Transfer fee – Under the Model Bylaws, a Society can charge only Rs. 500/- as Transfer Fee with a maximum of Rs 25,000/- as a premium.
Share Charges & Flat Transfer fee – The Bylaws can be more flexible and the amount of Transfer Fee can be provided therein.
Renting Out Flats – In a Society, permission of Managing Committee including ‘Police Verification’ & Register L&L is required.
Renting Out Flats – In a Condominium, the owner can give his Apartment on lease or leave and license basis without the approval of the Board of Managers
Voting Rights – Every member has one vote, irrespective of the area of their premises.
Voting Rights – Every Apartment owner has a voting right in proportion to the value of his premises which is generally as per the area of the Apartment owned by him and which is defined while forming the Condominium.
Dispute Resolution – In a Society, disputes are generally referred to the Registrar appointed under the Act or to a Co-operative Court, depending on the nature of the dispute.
Dispute Resolution – The Court having jurisdiction over the area in which the Condominium is located, hears the disputes.
Membership cease & Expel – A Society can expel its member under certain extreme circumstances.
Membership cease & Expel – In case of a Condominium, there is no such provision. However, if an Apartment owner fails to comply with the Bylaws or the Rules and Regulations, either damages or injunctive relief or both can be claimed against him.
Nomination – In a Society, a member can nominate a person in whose favour shares of the Society should be transferred upon the member’s death.
Nomination – No such facility is available in a Condominium. An Apartment can be transferred to a person to whom the Apartment owner bequeaths the same by his will or to the legal representative of the Apartment owner’s estate.
Bye Laws of society – Bye-laws and Rules of ‘Society’ are binding on all the residents and nobody can act as per his/her whims. Hence, if the Society decides to ban any objectionable commercial activities in the flats such as noise-making music classes or using the flat for catering or courier activities etc or not to rent out to bachelors etc, then all the residents have to abide by it
Bye Laws of society – But if it is an Apartment, then owners can violate the Apartment Rules and the Apartment Body can just file a case in the Civil Court.
Redevelopment – When the building contemplates redevelopment after 25-30 years, the Society’s decision will be final and hence the Society members will have negotiation power with the builder at that time.
Redevelopment – But if in case of an Apartment, the consent of every Apartment-owner is required and hence it goes into an endless delay due to lack of a common decision acceptable to everybody.

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