Amravati tightens flat registration, bars sales of units larger than sanctioned plan

Those planning to buy a flat in Amravati will now have to be more careful than before. To stop the sale of flats in unauthorised construction and flats with an area larger than the sanctioned plan, the government has tightened the process of registering documents.

The revenue department issued a circular on October 12. Under it, essential papers will be checked before a flat is registered. If the papers are not available, or the flat's area does not match the sanctioned plan, registration can be refused.

Buyers are often confused over the area a builder quotes and the area recorded in the sanctioned building plan. Buyers should therefore not rely only on information supplied by the builder. They will need to check for themselves the flat's sanctioned area, the permission for construction and the related certificates.

For projects that require RERA registration, a RERA registration certificate or an occupancy certificate will be needed, along with the sanctioned building plan stating the flat's area. For projects to which RERA does not apply, the construction permission or commencement certificate, the sanctioned building plan, a zone certificate and a measurement plan must be submitted.

These papers will be checked at the sub-registrar's office when an agreement to sell, sale deed, apartment deed or transfer deed for a flat is registered. The circular states clearly that registration will not be done if the necessary papers are missing or the area given in the document differs from the sanctioned plan.

The circular also carries a warning. If a sub-registrar ignores the rules and knowingly registers a document linked to unauthorised construction, a departmental inquiry will be held against that officer.

Buyers should not decide on price and area alone. They should complete a deal only after examining the papers, or legal hurdles may arise later.

Buyers should check the following before buying a flat. First, the sanctioned building plan, which carries the flat's authorised area. Second, the permission for construction, which shows whether the project has received the necessary approvals. Third, the RERA registration status, if it applies to the project. Fourth, the occupancy certificate and other applicable certificates and papers.