• Office units purchased/possession done but registry pending and now builder in IBC

I had bought a couple of office units in late 2019 in resale on golf course extension gurgaon, original buyer had bought in 2009. Builder did the formal tranfer of units, took possession in 2020. I have rented out in 2022 & received rent for past 2 yrs. Builder had sent a letter to get the registry done but I forgot due to ignorance 

Now recently a got a letter from some IBC resolution professional that builder is insolvent and informing he has taken over day to day operations. He also wrote that all claims can be submitted via email


Now issue is now that I have possession for 4+ yrs and paid everything in full, it is not like the builder owes me money. Whether I should file any claim or not ?? If I do file a claim will it means that the title of property is now disputed and will be resolved once the IBC process is done?
Asked 1 day ago in Property Law
Religion: Hindu

2 answers received in 1 hour.

Lawyers are available now to answer your questions.

9 Answers

Hello, 

Yes, you should file a claim explaining the situation and ask for registration of the property. 

Hope this helps. 

Regards

 

Swarupananda Neogi
Advocate, Kolkata
2974 Answers
6 Consultations

Do you have registered sale deed in your possession 

 

if you have paid full consideration and have taken possession and have registered sale deed no need to file any claim 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
97223 Answers
7850 Consultations

Dear Client, as you have taken possession of the office units, paid full consideration, and have been utilizing the property for two years, your main worry would be the pending registry which leaves the legal title incomplete. Filing a claim with the resolution professional under IBC does not necessarily imply that the property title becomes disputed; it instead provides a safeguard to your interest during the insolvency process. You can file a claim notifying the resolution professional about your ownership and thus exercising your right to have the registry completed. In any event of resolution plan or liquidation, your position is protected, and it is taken into consideration. Consult a legal professional to file a petition if you need to enforce the completion of the registry for getting full legal title and thereby avoiding complications in the future. Filing of the claim would not impair your possession; however, it is mandatory to avoid loss of your rights.

Hope you find this answer beneficial for resolving the dispute. 

 

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
10285 Answers
121 Consultations

- Since, you have already made complete amount of the said unit , then you should move an application before the IBC for informing the same and becoming a party in the said resolution. 

- Further, you can also issue a legal notice to the said builder for executing sale deed with the approval of the IBC. 

Mohammed Shahzad
Advocate, Delhi
14641 Answers
224 Consultations

It appears that you have purchased the property but have not got the property registered by a sale deed on your name.

May be because you wanted to avoid paying stamp duty that you didn't take care about registration of sale deed in your favour.

Since the creditors have approached resolution professional and as your name appears in the list of creditors with RP you can make a claim for the money you have already paid to the builder. However, if there are possibilities for getting the property registered through the builder at a later stage (though the chances are dim), then you may decide otherwise but make sure your investment is safe and secure in either of the option.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
87420 Answers
2348 Consultations

If you don’t have any claim then you can’t file the same as if the builder accounts will verified then it willl eventually come out

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
32660 Answers
206 Consultations

You are not required to file any monetary claim before the Resolution Profesional since the builder does not owe you anything

However you will have to write to the RP to register the sale deed in your favor since the RP is now in control of the builder-company 

Yusuf Rampurawala
Advocate, Mumbai
7721 Answers
79 Consultations

Property in your pos is still in the name of builder. Ibc notice is issued to as occupier. If property is purchased prior to ib proceedings, your property is safe. Submit proof of purchase giving reasons for not registering the  property.  If ib proceedings commenced prior to payment to builder your purchase will be part of property attached in ib proceedings.

Ravi Shinde
Advocate, Hyderabad
4263 Answers
42 Consultations

Navigating property rights and claims in the context of a builder entering insolvency under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) can be complex, particularly when the property registry is pending. Here’s how to approach your situation where you've taken possession of office units but haven't completed their registry, and now the builder is under IBC proceedings:

Understanding Your Position

  1. Possession and Payment Completion: Since you have already taken possession of the office units and paid the full amount, your primary concern isn't a financial claim against the builder for money owed, but rather securing the title and ownership rights of the property.

  2. Pending Registry: The registry (or conveyance deed) is crucial as it legally transfers the ownership of the property from the builder to you. Without this, while you may possess the property and even derive income from it, the legal title isn't formally recognized as yours, which could lead to complications.

Should You File a Claim?

  1. Filing a Claim: Even though the builder does not owe you money per se, filing a claim in the IBC process is advisable. This would serve as a formal notification of your interest and rights over the property.

  2. Nature of the Claim: Your claim should specify that it relates to the completion of the property registry and not a financial debt. This clarifies that your interest in the IBC process is to ensure that any resolution or liquidation plan acknowledges and addresses your rights to obtain the property's title.

  3. Effect on Title: Filing a claim does not mean that your title is disputed by default; rather, it means you are asserting your rights to the title during the insolvency proceedings. This is important to ensure your rights are not overlooked or undervalued in the resolution plan formulated by the resolution professional.

Steps to Take

  1. Consult a Real Estate Lawyer: Given the complexities involved, especially under the IBC, consulting with a lawyer who specializes in real estate and insolvency law is crucial. They can help draft your claim, ensuring it correctly represents your interests and is submitted in compliance with IBC procedures.

  2. Submit Your Claim: Follow the instructions provided by the resolution professional to submit your claim. Ensure it is detailed and includes all relevant documentation—purchase agreements, proof of payment, possession documents, communications regarding the registry, and any correspondence with the builder.

  3. Monitor the Process: Stay informed about the progress of the insolvency proceedings. Your lawyer can help you understand key developments and represent your interests in meetings of creditors or other forums.

  4. Prepare for Various Outcomes: The resolution process might result in the continuation of the builder's business under new management, liquidation, or some other outcome. Be prepared for various scenarios regarding how your property rights will be handled.

Conclusion

While the IBC process can be lengthy and uncertain, actively participating and asserting your rights is essential to protect your investment and interests in the property. Ensure all communications and claims are clear about your status and rights as an owner needing registry completion, not just a creditor seeking financial recovery.

For detailed, personalized advice, consider a phone consultancy. Hope you find the information helpful. You are free to contact me for further discussion. If you could spare two minutes of your time to write a review, it would be greatly appreciated and bring immense happiness to read it. Thank you. Shubham Goyal.

Shubham Goyal
Advocate, Delhi
322 Answers

Ask a Lawyer

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