Nagpur Municipal Corporation's fire audit exposed serious safety lapses, identifying 1,848 high-rise and special buildings lacking firefighting measures, violating Maharashtra's fire safety laws. Among these, 1,286 were declared unsafe, prompting eviction notices. To enforce the eviction, authorities disconnected water and power to 821 buildings, with criminal cases filed against 122 building owners. The audit also revealed alarming data that of the 5,595 buildings, only 903 obtained fire compliance certificates. The police are instructed to act, while district court cases highlight violations, primarily related to missing firefighting arrangements and unauthorized constructions. The situation underscores the critical need for stringent fire safety measures.Read more

Haryana’s Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) intensified checks on illegal constructions in Saraswati Kunj, Golf Course Road, demolishing eight unauthorized buildings due to the absence of permissions and ongoing litigation. Over the past two years, more than 3,000 unauthorized structures have been razed in multiple drives, yet violators persist in rebuilding. District Town Planner Manish Yadav led the recent demolitions amid police presence. Saraswati Kunj, entangled in a legal dispute since 2004, faces ongoing challenges related to plot allotments. Concerns about the area becoming a hub for illegal structures prompted the DTCP to request barricading the colony's boundaries and restricting building material entry.Read more

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) contemplates raising prices of 1,700 unsold flats by 10% due to the state government's upward revision of property guidance values. With poor sales in projects in Kaniminike and Konadasapura, officials are considering the move to pose a challenge to their marketing strategy. The potential hike may also affect the Puneeth Rajkumar Housing Complex's villa project, complicating the sale of the 322 villas there. Officials indicate a possible 10-20% increase in villa prices from the base cost, impacting BDA's ambitious development plans.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-RERA) has successfully mediated and resolved disputes related to the Royal Castle project in Ghaziabad, developed by Suncity Hightech Infrastructure. The allottee, Ram Kumar Bansal, faced delays and interest accrual since the scheduled possession in 2017. Following UP-RERA's intervention, the developer agreed to allocate two plots and pay approximately Rs. 22 lakhs as delay interest. The matters were transferred to UP-RERA's Conciliation Forum, emphasizing its efficacy in resolving disputes. UP-RERA has previously directed several developers to participate in online hearings for 21 complaints, showcasing its commitment to addressing grievances in the real estate sector.Read more

Tenants associations across Mumbai are urging the chief minister and housing minister to appoint senior counsel and a reputable solicitor firm to advocate for the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999, and Chapter VIII of the MHADA Act before the Supreme Court. The Property Owners Association and other stakeholders have challenged the constitutional validity of these acts since 2000, with a crucial hearing scheduled for February 6. Tenants fear a ruling in favour of property owners could jeopardize rent control in Maharashtra, potentially allowing arbitrary rents and evictions. Political leaders, including Mumbai's guardian minister and BJP representatives, pledge to address tenant concerns and protect their interests.Read more

The director of a Mumbai real estate company, accused in a Rs 7.5 crore fraud case involving cheating the public with promises of flats in Juhu, has reportedly been detained in Colombia following a red-corner notice. In 2017, the company allegedly sold promised flats to others during discussions about an alternate project. The accused directors, family members, had left the country before the FIR was filed. The Economic Offences Wing is investigating, and an RCN was issued against the director, her brother, mother, and company officials. Authorities are verifying her identity, signalling international cooperation in addressing financial fraud.Read more

The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) has cancelled a land deal near the city, alleging violations of the Odisha Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. The landowner in Balianta subdivided 20 plots without registering the larger plot with ORERA, breaching the requirement for plots larger than 500 square meters. ORERA responded to a complaint, directing the landowner to obtain layout plans within two months and register them within 45 days. The authority nullified sale deeds of sub-plots until proper registration and urged action against the sub-registrar. ORERA's action reinforces its commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency in real estate activities.Read more

The government is reportedly reconsidering its plan to introduce a specialized framework for the real estate sector, which would limit insolvency proceedings to individual stressed housing projects and exclude their developers, according to a reliable source. This potential revision aims to prevent unscrupulous promoters from exploiting relief measures to abandon projects for higher profits, potentially diverting funds and worsening challenges for homebuyers. The proposed project-wise insolvency is under scrutiny for its potential to allow promoters to evade responsibilities. The government is seeking stakeholder feedback to strike a balance between homebuyers and real estate sector interests.Read more

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has initiated registrations for penthouses, super High-Income Group (HIG), and various other flats in its 'Diwali Special Housing Scheme 2023.' Accessible through an e-brochure, the online registration system integrates advanced technology. The scheme offers 14 penthouses, 170 super HIGs, and 946 HIGs in Dwarka's Sector-19 B, along with 316 and 647 Middle-Income Group (MIG) flats in Sector-14 and Lok Nayak Puram. Prospective buyers can register until December 29 for the e-auction, starting on January 5, 2024. The 'first come first serve' (FCFS) registration, open until March 31, has already recorded over 500 applicants, signalling high interest and anticipation.Read more

The state cabinet, in a recent meeting, announced a substantial 50% reduction in the flat transfer fee for slum rehabilitation units, easing the financial burden on buyers. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), which provides flats to slum dwellers at no cost, had imposed a Rs 1 lakh transfer fee during flat transactions. This decision aims to facilitate easier access to SRA flats by cutting the transfer fee to Rs 50,000. The move builds on previous reforms, such as reducing the lock-in period for selling slum dwellings from ten to five years in 2020. The initiative aligns with a broader commitment to inclusive housing solutions.Read more