Kerala: K-RERA to introduce virtual hearing from July, number of registrations cross 100 in the state

K-RERA (Kerala real estate regulatory authority) will launch virtual hearing from July on wards to redress rising number of complaints regarding real estate projects; especially those of emergency nature. The registration of real estate projects has also crossed 100 in the state. K-RERA has given registration to 135 projects till date and the figures are expected to cross 200 in next two weeks.

K-RERA has recently communicated that the authority has been compelled to adjourn all the hearings of complaints till June 30. In case of complaints requiring urgent hearing, the complainants have been directed to submit an application through e-mail along with their complaints. K-RERA which began hearing of complainants on February 5 had to put off hearing during lock down and owing to social distancing measures, the authority has been focusing on complaints of emergency nature alone. Over 230 complaints are now pending with K-RERA for redressal and many of the complaints are centred around single project with multiple parties filing complaints against the builder.

K-RERA has recently communicated that the authority has been compelled to adjourn all the hearings of complaints till June 30. In case of complaints requiring urgent hearing, the complainants have been directed to submit an application through e-mail along with their complaints. K-RERA which began hearing of complainants on February 5 had to put off hearing during lock down and owing to social distancing measures, the authority has been focusing on complaints of emergency nature alone. Over 230 complaints are now pending with K-RERA for redressal and many of the complaints are centred around single project with multiple parties filing complaints against the builder.

The authority had thought of an e-court like system to do virtual hearing however the web portal needs to be upgraded to facilitate such a system. Virtual hearing will mainly focus on resolving complaints of emergency nature. “ There are a few complaints which require immediate redressal and it can’t be put off owing to restraints in arranging physical hearing process. Virtual hearing is going to be the way forward,” an official with K-RERA said.

K–RERA officials said that although the number of project registrations has crossed 100, majority of the projects come under ongoing category. Of the 135 projects which have been registered, only two come under new project category. Even with the number of applications pending for registration, less than 10 projects are categorised as new. “ This hints at a dullness in real estate sector given the present circumstances. We hope the situation to change as housing demand could go up,” an official with K-RERA said.

The authority has put off registrations for nearly three months owing to lockdown. There have been issues in proper filing of applications on the part of certain builders causing further delay in processing of applications.

With the frequent recurrence of inaccuracies and irregularities, K-RERA had earlier warned the promoters that it will invoke section 60 of Real estate ( regulation and development) act, 2016 which stipulates that any false information given or any contravention of provision of relevant sections by the promoter will attract a penalty which may extend up to 5% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/k-rera-to-introduce-virtual-hearing-from-july-number-of-registrations-cross-100-in-the-state/articleshow/76678138.cms

Sleeve packing can prevent your home from Seepage

Detect Issues

Seepage noted at wall from AC gas pipe insertion.

Describe Issues

As seen with IR image, moisture seepage noted from AC gas pipe insertion area as gas pipe has been pulled from external wall without any pipe sleeve. As Sleeves not provided at wall surface for running AC gas pipes, there are unfilled gaps on external surface around AC drain pipe. Due to this, moisture is seeping inside the house. This needs to be rectified at right time, otherwise will spread and damage the property and create difficulty for residents.

Direct Solutions

We recommend PVC sleeve packing to be provided at the AC gas pipe insertion area.

Coronavirus impact | UP RERA extends deadline of real estate projects by three months

After MahaRERA and Karnataka RERA, UP RERA on April 14 extended the validity period of registration of real estate projects in the state by three months on account of COVID-19.

“In view of the dislocation of the construction activity under the real estate projects, CREDAI and NAREDCO have requested the Authority to extend the completion date of the projects as done by some other state RERAs,” UP RERA said in a statement.

In view of the slow pace of construction work due to the need for social distancing and movement restrictions and stoppage of the work following the national lockdown in March, the Authority has decided to extend by three months the date of completion of the projects with the date of completion between March 15, 2020 and December 31, 2020, it said.

The revised registration certificate of such projects will be issued separately and send to the concern promoters, the authority said in a statement.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/real-estate/coronavirus-impact-up-rera-extends-deadline-of-real-estate-projects-by-three-months-5146061.html

NCR realty developers request RERA authorities to set aside penalty orders

Several developers in the National Capital Region have requested the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) of UP, Haryana and Delhi to delay recovery notices issued to builders by at least six months, in light of the Covid-19 crisis that has crippled the sector.

These builders were ordered before the clamping of the lockdown to pay compensation to homebuyers for project delays.

“We have requested that no adverse order of refund or recovery be issued for a minimum period of six months. Cash flows of our industry are badly impacted in the present scenario and no customer is able to pay the due instalments,” said RK Arora, the president of the Uttar Pradesh chapter of the National Real Estate Development Council.

The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority had extended the validity of registration of projects by three months, effectively pushing back the deadline to complete the projects.

However, developers in the NCR are not keen for such an extension, and have instead sought relief in delaying payment of compensation to homebuyers and more time to file quarterly update on projects.

With mass exodus of labourers, developers fear mobilising construction workers to resume work would bea major challenge.

“It is impossible for the promoters to comply with the penalty orders. Considering the situation wherein the financial markets have collapsed, it will take a long time to get the required funds. Hence penalty should be reviewed and orders be set aside,” Arora told ET.

UP-RERA chairperson Rajiv Kumar told ET that it had held initial talks with developers and a final decision on what relief to offer would be taken soon.

“Expert opinion is that the Covid-19 impact will be long-lasting and will redefine the marketplace for the near future. We have requested to declare this lockdown as force majeure and extend the project completion period by a minimum 9-12 months. This is because once the lockdown is lifted, which is yet uncertain, it will take a minimum six months for us to remobilise the finances and labourers who in most of the cases have migrated to the hometowns,” said Gaurav Gupta, the president of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, NCR-Ghaziabad, which has analysed the impact on business for the next year.

Gupta said receipts from sales already completed was almost zero since March 20 and that this trend was expected to continue as a state of fear was prevalent and people were focussing on day-to-day needs.

Experts said much of the direct impact had been caused by the liquidity crunch the sector had been facing for the last couple of years and that the lockdown had exacerbated it. “The supply chain for necessary raw materials for construction activity, like cement and steel, simply does not exist anymore. This has, therefore, had a cascading effect on daily wagers whose principal source of employment comes from the real estate sector. Therefore, a delay in delivery of ongoing projects, both housing and commercial, is expected and timelines provided to RERA will change,” Athena Legal partner Simranjeet Singh said.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/real-estate/set-aside-penalty-orders-developers-to-rera/articleshow/75042282.cms

Call to turn vacant flats into quarantine centres

Many eady-to-move-in flats in the city are lying vacant as there are no takers. So why not convert them into quarantine units, is a suggestion from many people. Realtors from across the city, real estate associations, and even RERA-K officials are now thinking of ways to implement this suggestion. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, member of Real Estate (Regulation and Development Act), Karnataka, told The New Indian Express that many government constructed units like those built by the Bangalore Development Authority and Karnataka Housing Board, are lying vacant.

“These can be used as quarantine centres. They are better than private ones because most private properties lack basic facilities. The ones constructed by the government should have all basic facilities like water, electricity and other amenities, and can be put to immediate use,” he said. He added that Karnataka can also follow the example of Maharashtra, where unused government offices have been converted into quarantine units as logistics-wise, they were a better option.

Those associated with the real estate sector are welcome to the idea of opening their unused apartment and commercial units as quarantine centres. Kishor Jain, CREDAI Bengaluru president said that if it’s unsold, the entire unit can be used as a quarantine centre, but not individual homes as it will create fear. Though there is no request from the government, the idea is being mu l l ed amo n g t h e stakeholders. A senior FICCI member added that since the real estate sector is seeing a lull and many units are vacant, they can be converted into quarantine units. The FICCI member added that discussions among the members, stake holders and with the government, were being held and a decision will soon be taken.

HOTELS FOR ISOLATION UNITS

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has identified non-air-conditioned hotels which will converted into quarantine centres. The state government will pay the room rent for the number of days the patients will stay and for food. The hotels have been directed to use disposable cutlery. The hotels are: Sabarwal Residency, Sudamanagar (50 rooms); Emirates Hotel, BTM layout (40); Empire, Koramangala 5th Block (39); Silicrest, Koramangala 4th Block (30); Oyo Amethyst, Jayanagar 5th Block (32); Ramakrishna Lodge, Gandhinagar (200); Hotel Citadel, Anand Rao Circle (111); Likith International, Gandhinagar (70), Fortune Park JP Celestial, Sampangi ramanagara (129); Arafa Inn, Gandhinagar (46); Lemon Tree Premier, Ulsoor (60); Keys Select, Hosur Road (120); Chalukya Hotel, Chalukya Circle (70); Oyo Town, near Ulsoor lake (28); Sri Lakshmi PG, Domlur (27); Keys Select Whitefield by Lemon Tree Hotel, ITPL Main Road (220); and Trinity Wood Hotel, ITPL Main Road (25).

Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2020/mar/31/call-to-turn-vacant-flats-into-quarantine-centres-2123693.html

Know where not to entertain plant growth in building surface

Detect Issues

Plants growth noted on external wall.

Describe Issues

Existence of plants or vegetation, such as fast growing trees in external wall or other parts of the building or structure can cause cracks in walls due to expansive action of roots growing. The plants begin to grow in opening or fissures of walls, and If these are not removed well in time, it develops wall cracks in houses. This can cause damage to the structure and moisture intrusion which lead to dampness/ seepage related problems.

Direct Solutions

We recommend:
1. removal of the plants along with roots;
2. renovation of the external wall damaged due to roots.

Coronavirus pandemic | UP RERA, MahaRERA adjourn hearings until March 31

With the coronavirus outbreak causing major disruptions, the Uttar Pradesh RERA and MahaRERA on March 17 said they have decided to adjourn the hearing of all complaints until March 31.

“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, UP RERA has decided to adjourn the hearing of all complaints listed between March 18 to March 31, 2020, both at the Lucknow headquarters and the NCR regional offices,” UP RERA said in a public notice.

Rescheduled dates would be communicated soon, it said.

Homebuyers and real estate developers wanting to list urgent matters may write to Secretary, UP RERA, at contactuprera@up-rera.in, it said.

UP RERA will again review the situation at the end of the month before deciding to resume the court, it said.

MahaRERA also said in a public notice that all cases before it and the adjudicating officer shall be adjourned until March 31.

RERA Bihar has also decided to postpone all hearings of cases scheduled from March 16 to March 31, 2020, it said in a public notice on its website.

“Haryana RERA has also decided to postpone the hearing of all cases from March 18 until March 31, 2020, Dilbag Singh Sihag, member HRERA, Panchkula told Moneycontrol.

“The project/agent registration process is completely online. MahaRERA staff is allowed to work from home till further orders,” the notice said.

Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) came into effect from May 1, 2017, and Maharashtra was the first state to implement it by setting up MahaRera. Midwifed by two governments – UPA II and the NDA II – between 2009 and 2016, the legislation was necessitated by the growing misery of tens of thousands of harried homebuyers.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/real-estate/coronavirus-pandemic-up-rera-maharera-adjourn-hearings-until-march-31-5042981.html

Avoid rats to save your electrical wiring

Detect Issues

Sign of rat infestation noted inside light switch board.

Describe Issues

Sign of rat infestation should not be ignored. If it had chewed the insulation of wire then this can cause damage to wiring. This will be a safety hazard and also disturb the functioning of electrical fixture & accessory. If not rectified at right time, it can create difficulty for residents by causing unsafe conditions and also add an extra cost due to repairs.

Direct Solutions

We recommend rodent treatment by vendor & damaged wires to be replaced.

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K-RERA approaches state govt to approve model sales agreement

The Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) has approached the state’s housing department to finalise the model sales agreement as per central government rules.

The K-RERA that started functioning two years ago had faced delay in model sales agreement due to change in government and the absence of RERA chief in the state.

“The model sales agreement has been sent to the government and is expected to be notified soon. There were objections that has been looked into before sending to the state,” said MR Kamble, chairman K-RERA.

As per the model sales agreement on the K-RERA website, builders will have to convey the final carpet area to the buyer after the construction of the building is complete and the occupancy certificate is granted by the competent authority. “Builders will have the right to forfeit the booking amount in case of cancellation by home buyers but has to finish the project on timely manner,” it said.

For home buyers, the model agreement says that buyers can ask for refund if there is default on the part of the builder and stop the payment amongst other benefits.

The Karnataka government notified Karnataka Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules-2017 in the state gazette in July 2018 with the setting up of Karnataka RERA.

According to Anarock research, among all states and UTs across the country, RERA has been fairly pro-active in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, among others. Individually, Karnataka RERA has seen 33% jump in project registration since October 2019 – from 2,906 projects registered in early October 2019 to nearly 3,871 projects as on date.

“Among the nature of complaints largely seen in Karnataka, late delivery of projects tops the list for which errant builders have been asked by concerned RERA authorities within the state to pay compensation to aggrieved homebuyers. Despite this, many such builders have failed comply. Hence, authorities have further directed their revenue department team to issue show cause notices to the errant builders for property attachment,” said Anuj Puri, chairman, Anarock Property Consultants.

As far as registering complaints and resolving them is concerned, as many as 3,950 complaints have been registered under Karnataka RERA till date (March 2020) out of which nearly 46% cases (or approx. 1,817 cases) have already been disposed of. Back in October 2019, the tally of disposed of cases was nearly 1,513 cases.

However, as far as disposing of complaints is concerned, Karnataka still lags far behind its immediate neighbour Maharashtra, where RERA has been significantly active. Out of the total 10,814 complaints registered under Maha RERA till date, a whopping 72% cases have already been disposed of by the concerned authorities.

Source: https://www.constrofacilitator.com/k-rera-approaches-state-govt-to-approve-model-sales-agreement/