If you are like most of us, then chances are that keeping yourself up-to-date with all the happenings in the real estate world can be quite time-consuming. But don’t worry! We do the researching and reading to bring to you the best of the week with our weekly bulletin.
Maharashtra
MahaRERA: Won’t hear redevelopment disputes
In a recent announcement, MahaRERA made it clear that housing society members who have a dispute with their builder over redevelopment cannot seek relief under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act.
Last month, a housing society in Vikhroli, Mumbai had filed a complaint against their builder for failing to hand over their new flats, which had been given for redevelopment in 2007. But Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) authority said that the authority it can’t resolve the society’s issue with the builder as it was a civil dispute, which has to be resolved under the Cooperative Society Act.
Why it matters: The order has wide implications as over 85% of all constructions in Mumbai involve redevelopments.
BMC regularises modifications in Amitabh Bachchan’s property
The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has regularised alleged illegal modifications made in properties belonging to actor Amitabh Bachchan and six others.
A notice had been served to Bachchan in December 2016, following which the architect had submitted a revised plan in January 2017. The plan was approved and regularised in October.
Why it matters: Illegal constructions by celebrities have been in the news after the BMC demolished allegedly illegal extensions in BJP MP and actor Shatrughan Sinha’s sprawling bungalow in Juhu, Mumbai.
Bangalore
Every property to get a unique id in Bangalore
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, each property in Bangalore will soon have a digital address. The BBMP, in collaboration with Keonics, is working on this digital identification number project, also known as DiGi- 7. Each unique identity will be seven-digit alphanumeric, with each combination of letter and numeral assigned to an area, sub-area, lanes, and bylanes.
About 20 lakh properties (both occupied and vacant) are expected to get this unique permanent ID, which will not change even if the property ownership changes.
Wondering how to get the ID for your home? It’s fairly simple! Just send an SMS or call BBMP’s call centre and submit your property identification number (PID). You can also log on to the DiGi-7 portal or download the DiGi-7 navigator mobile app.
Why it matters: The nine digits will replace your entire traditional address. Next time you order a cab, all you have to do is key in the digital ID.
Planning to buy a property in Karnataka? Now get RTC records online!
In another important development, citizens can now access the Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) online. Also known as Pahani, it is an important document that is needed while buying an apartment or a plot of land in Karnataka.
The move is likely to keep a check on fraudulent activities in the property market. Using the revenue department’s Bhoomi portal, anyone can now access and print the original RTC. All you have to enter is the details about the district, taluk, village name, and survey numbers. You can also pay the charges through credit/debit cards, or net banking using SBI’s gateway.
Residents struggle with inadequate STP guidelines
Shaken by the increasing number of deaths while cleaning sewage treatment plants (STPs), the BWSSB has made STPs mandatory in apartment complexes with more than 50 units. While it is a step in the right direction, the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have raised an issue regarding the lack of STP guidelines on the department website. Another problem that has come to light is about the usage of adequate technology.
These guidelines are only relevant for conventional STPs. The STPs in most apartments in the city are based on sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology.
Builders call Karnataka RERA’s list ‘inappropriate’
Real estate developers in the state have cried foul over the “inappropriate” manner in which projects have been listed. On January 5, RERA-Karnataka released a list of projects that were under investigation. Now, as per the critics, the list also includes those projects that had already received the
Occupancy Certificate and all requisite documents.
In a clarification statement, Sunil Kumar P, secretary, RERA, said, a notice was served to all builders to comply with RERA, but they did not. He has also thrown an open challenge for builders to prove that they are clean. He said, “Let them prove they are clean. We’ll immediately delete their names from the list.”
