• Builder is delaying sale of agreement

I have been an allotted a plot in a project which is RERA registered and the builder is one of the prominent builders of Delhi NCR. According to the allotment letter I have to pay 10 percent at booking and 50 percent of the total cost within 60 days of booking/allotment. 

But now that 60 days have been passed but the builder has not entered into a sale of agreement with me. I have paid up till now 25 percent of the total cost. Builder is saying I have to pay interest on the remaining 35 percent if not paid on time. Also, I had planned to take a 75 percent loan from the bank to fund this purchase which is asking for the sale of the agreement for disbursements. 

 I have read in RERA Act that promotors cannot ask more than 10 percent before registering the sale of agreement. I have no money to cover the payment as the bank is not ready to finance it without agreement. Is it legal that the builder can charge interest on delayed payments without entering the sale of agreement also is it legal to ask more than 10 percent before agreement
Asked 4 years ago in Property Law
Religion: Hindu

First answer received in 30 minutes.

Lawyers are available now to answer your questions.

16 Answers

no, he can't charge interest from you.. 

Deependra Pati Tiwari
Advocate, Faridabad
16 Answers

Inform the builder that you are unable to make further payment as no agreement for sale has been entered into and no bank is willing to grant any bank loan in absence of agreement 

 

2) that you have already paid 25 per cent of total sale price and as per RERA builder cannot ask further payment in absence of agreement 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
97230 Answers
7851 Consultations

you are correct

as per RERA the builder CANNOT charge more than 10% of sale price without first entering into a registered agreement with the buyer

the builder's demand for interest is illegal

issue him a legal notice to immediately register an agreement with you as per the RERA model agreement format

if he does not comply, then approach Rera by filing a complaint

your prayers will be:

builder to register agreement 

builder to be directed not to charge interest and for a declaration that the builder's demand for interest is illegal

 

Yusuf Rampurawala
Advocate, Mumbai
7721 Answers
79 Consultations

If the builder is acting in violation of the provision of RERA then you can lodge complaint with RERA Tribunal. 

If there is no sale agreement as in your case the builder can not ask much of money. 

It's a fit case where you can file case before the consumer forum as well. 

Devajyoti Barman
Advocate, Kolkata
23277 Answers
516 Consultations

Dear sir/maam,

A sale agreement is necessary before any interest/sum is charged. no agreement- no imposition- no payment.

 

  • .

 

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
10285 Answers
121 Consultations

You communicate the bank's requirement for sanctioning the loan to the builder in writing and insist on the agreement to be executed. 

You may send this communication in the form of a legal notice from your side and mention that if he is not providing the required sale agreement then the booking would be cancelled and he would be liable to return the booking amount with market rate interest from the date of booking since it is his fault for not providing the proper documents. 

You may also hint that he will be dragged to  RERA  or consumer forum if he fails to comply with the requirement. 

 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
87429 Answers
2348 Consultations

- As per Sub-Section 1 of Section 13 of The Real Estate (Regulation and Development Act,), A builder will have to enter into an agreement to Sell with a home buyer, and then accept the booking amount which should not be more than 10%. 

Hence demanding more payment or interest prior to registration of Sale agreement is against the Law.

- Further, if you pay the amount demanded by the said builder against the Act , then you may face problem , specially when the builder could not get OC etc from competent authority or delay in handing over the  possession., 

- Hence, the said builder cannot charge interest or any amount without entering into an agreement with you, you should deny the same.

- If , no response, then you can approach RERA against him. 

Mohammed Shahzad
Advocate, Delhi
14641 Answers
224 Consultations

Hi, as per RERA Act the builder has to demand only 5%  for registering the Sale Agreement. Further, you are not entitled to pay any interest as claimed by the builder.  It is better you can register the complaint against the builder  before the RERA Authorities.

Pradeep Bharathipura
Advocate, Bangalore
5617 Answers
338 Consultations

sir 

you are correct that the builder cannot charge more than 10% without executing the sale agreement under clause 13. if the builder asks anything against the law then you can file complaint in HRERA. to avoid harassment, ask the builder to give demand in writing (if it is not in writing). if it is in writing then file the complaint now in rera so that your matter is resolved in time.

good luck

Gopender
Advocate, New Delhi
384 Answers

Payment terms should be changed and interest waived by builder as he failed to enter into registered agreement for sale 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
97230 Answers
7851 Consultations

yes

Yusuf Rampurawala
Advocate, Mumbai
7721 Answers
79 Consultations

sale deed is executed after receipt of whole amount therefore it will not matter how the money was paid and the builder will mention only the amount paid for purchase. there will be no term of payment etc.

if your query is about booking/ agreement to sell then terms cannot change and if builder changes the terms then you can approach RERA for correcting it.

Gopender
Advocate, New Delhi
384 Answers

You can file the complaint in the above circumstances before rera

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
32660 Answers
207 Consultations

Dear Sir, 

As there was no sale agreement you can specify the payment terms that is feasible for you and that you want to include after which you can sign on the agreement to make it legally binding. Thank you. 

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
10285 Answers
121 Consultations

The agreement already entered into would not be altered for this reason. 

You may have a supplemental agreement to enforce this changed new payment terms. 

 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
87429 Answers
2348 Consultations

- Yes, the new payments terms must be reflected in the agreement , if changed. 

- However, if the earlier agreement already registered , then you cannot change any content of it . 

Mohammed Shahzad
Advocate, Delhi
14641 Answers
224 Consultations

Ask a Lawyer

Get legal answers from lawyers in 1 hour. It's quick, easy, and anonymous!
  Ask a lawyer