May 2023 - Ved Legal

COMPARISON BETWEEN A CONDOMINIUM AND A SOCIETY

Though the condominium is more than a forty year old ownership concept for buildings in Mumbai, it is the cooperative society model which has been the most popular so far. However, in recent times, the concept of a condominium is slowly gaining momentum. Buyers who purchase premises on an ‘ownership’ basis require to come together to manage the building and for that purpose, one of the ways is to form a cooperative society, which is governed by the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960.

An alternative to a cooperative society was introduced by the Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act, 1970, which provides for the formation of a condominium. The buyers of premises in a condominium are called apartment owners who form an association known as an ‘association of apartment owners’, in case of both, residential as well as non-residential premises.

Although the basic purpose of both the models is similar, there are many differences between a society and condominium, some of which are:

FORMATION: To form a society, generally 10 persons, each from a different family who reside in the area of operation of the society (within the same city) and who have taken premises in the building, would be required. However, even one person who owns the entire building can form a condominium provided there are at least five apartments in the building.

OWNERSHIP: In the case of a society, the title of the land and the building is conveyed to the society, which becomes the owner thereof. Persons who have purchased premises are made members of the society and are allotted the particular premises. In the case of a condominium, 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.

BY-LAWS: A society adopts the model bylaws in which little can be changed. While adopting the bylaws in a condominium, suitable changes can be made, so long as the provisions of the Act are not contravened.

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. This is not so in a condominium.

MANAGEMENT: 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. Similarly, the affairs of a condominium are managed by the board of managers, who are elected by the members of the apartment owners association. The board also elects a president, vice-president, secretary and a treasurer.

TRANSFER FEES: Under the model bylaws, a society can charge only Rs 500 as transfer fees and a maximum of Rs 25,000 as a premium. In case of a condominium, the bylaws can be more flexible and the amount of transfer fees can be provided therein.

PERMISSION TO LET: In a condominium, the owner can give his apartment on lease or leave and license basis without the approval of the board of managers, while in a society, permission is required.

VOTING RIGHTS: In a society, every member has one vote, irrespective of the area of his premises. In a condominium, 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.

DISPUTES: In a society, disputes are generally referred to the registrar appointed under the Act or to a cooperative court, depending on the nature of the dispute. In the case of a condominium, the court having jurisdiction over the area in which the condominium is located, hears the disputes.

EXPULSION: A society can expel its member under certain extreme circumstances. 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. 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

By admin|May 2nd, 2023|COMPARISON BETWEEN A CONDOMINIUM AND A SOCIETY|Comments Off

HANDOVER PROCESS WITH THE HELP OF BUILDER

HANDOVER PROCESS WITH THE HELP OF BUILDER

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

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

By admin|May 2nd, 2023|HANDOVER PROCESS WITH THE HELP OF BUILDER / PROMOTER|Comments Off

LAWYERS FOR FORMATION OF A NEW HOUSING SOCIETY

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.

By admin|May 2nd, 2023|LAWYERS FOR FORMATION OF A NEW HOUSING SOCIETY IN PUNE|Comments Off

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR DEEMED CONVEYANCE

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR DEEMED CONVEYANCE

Further, the application required to be made with the Registrar shall be accompanied by copies of certain 20 odd documents which the society shall have to prepare or get prepared.

The papers required for doing Deemed Conveyance are as follows:

Application Form 7 to the District Deputy Registrar, Co-operative Societies, affixing a court fee stamp of Rs. 2,000 on the application
Affidavit made before the Notary or Executive Magistrate True copy of the Society Registration Certificate
Stamp duty paid and registered agreement copy of 1 individual flats/ shops with Builder/Developer
List of members in prescribed format
Index-II for each member as issued by the Sub-Registrar of Assurance
Copy of the Development Agreement between land owner and builder
Copy of the Power of Attorney between land owner and builder
Copy of the legal notice issued to the original owner or developer for doing conveyance
Details of corresponding address telephone number etc. of the original owner or developer
Draft conveyance deed/ Declaration proposed to be executed in favour of the applicant

Documents to be obtained from City Survey Office, for submission:

City (CTS) Survey Plan
Property Registration Card or
7/12 extract of the Land
Village form 6 (Mutation entries from Revenue Office)

Documents to be obtained from the Collector’s Office, for submission:

Copy of the Non-Agricultural Order
Certificate of the exclusion from Land Ceiling Act (ULC) Certificate

Documents to be obtained from the concerned Municipal Authority Office, for submission:

Copy of the approved plan
IOD
Commencement Certificate
Building Completion Certificate
Occupation Certificate (not compulsory)
Property taxes paid
Location plan of the building

Documents to be obtained from other professionals, for submission:

Search Report of the land issued by the Solicitor/Advocate
Title Certificate of the Property issued by the Solicitor/Advocate (Search by minimum for last 30 years)
Land Measurement Map/ Architect’s Certificate (layout plan of the plot)
Certified copy from Panel Architect about the utilization of full FSI or FSI if any left in respect of the said property /Plot.

After, the Application is heard by the Registrar he may grant an order for deemed conveyance which shall then be produced before a court for execution and hence the conveyance may be done by a court order.

By admin|May 2nd, 2023|DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR DEEMED CONVEYANCE|Comments Off

CONVEYANCE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

CONVEYANCE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

Conveyance is transfer the title of land and building by promoter/land owner in favour of housing society by execution of Conveyance Deed. As per the provision contemplated in Section 11 of Maharashtra Ownership Flat Act 1963, Conveyance is the right of Co-operative Housing Society and the Duty of the property Developer/Promoter to be executed within 4 months from date of Registration of Co-Operative Society.

After land and Building is conveyed in favour of Co-Operative Society and the title of property is fully and finally recorded in the property card and other revenue records then only the property becomes completely free and marketable. As per Housing Society Bye-laws the main objective of formation of the society is to obtain conveyance and if conveyance is executed within 4 months from date of registration of society case can be filed against the promoter /landowner of the land to obtain the conveyance as per section 13 of MOFA 1963 failure to give conveyance is an offence and the promoter/landowner of land can be imprisoned upto 3 years or fine or both.

By admin|May 2nd, 2023|CONVEYANCE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE|Comments Off

BEST CONVEYANCE SERVICES FOR SOCIETIES

BEST 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

By admin|May 2nd, 2023|BEST CONVEYANCE SERVICES FOR SOCIETIES|Comments Off