Focus on these areas to get the
best out of your RTI application.
Does the project you are planning
to invest in have a clear land title? Does the builder constructing it have a
licence or a sanctioned building plan? Has the developer provided you with
details such as the number of floors, units and towers he intends to construct
and are you certain that they have all been sanctioned by the concerned
authority? Here’s what you should authenticate before purchasing an apartment.
·
Land use/title
Many developers
have duped homebuyers by launching residential projects on plots that they don’t
even own. In some cases, developers own the land but they launch the project
without getting the land use changed from agriculture to residential. Both the concerned
revenue department and the development authority can authenticate the title and
land use for you.
·
Licence/sanction plan/building plan:
A developer
first gets a licence followed by an approval for the layout plan. The next
stage involves approval of building plans. Similar approvals are required in
other micro markets. While filling an RTI, ask if the developer has received
all these mandatory approvals.
·
Number of approved units:
Even well-known
developers have violated building norms and constructed over and above the
number of flats that were initially approved. These are illegal units and the
concerned authority can demolish such as the number of units, towers and the
number of floors sanctioned by the authority.
·
Floor areas ratio (FAR)/purchasable FAR:
In some
cases, developers purchase additional FAR during construction which means they
can construct more area than what was approved earlier. The developer may
construct additional towers in the area demarcated as green, without letting
the homebuyers know about the changes made in the original layout plan.
·
True disclosure as endorsed by the competent
authority:
If you
are filling an RTI, find out if the developers has given true disclosure and if
a competent authority has endorsed it.
·
Completion certificate:
Ask for
the CC because it is the only document ensuring that all approvals are in place
if it is a ready property.
For a safe buy
- Ask for the plot number: Ask your developer to provide all the land details. Strike him off your list if he refuses to divulge these details.
- Formulate questions: Ask him about ownership, land use etc. and send them to the public information officer (PIO)
- Keep proof of your application: It will help you solve any problem faster.
- Appeal if dissatisfied: If there is no reply within 30 days, approach authorities.
- Approach SIC/CIC: You can finally approach the state information commission (SIC) and then the central information commission (CIC) if dissatisfied.
