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| - | {{htmlmetatags> | + | {{htmlmetatags> |
| - | ====== Builder | + | ====== Builder |
| - | **Your builder took possession money, gave you the keys, and then went quiet — no housing society registered, no conveyance deed executed. This guide shows you how to use RERA, state cooperative society law, deemed conveyance (strongest in Maharashtra), | + | **Reviewed on:** 2026-06-12. |
| {{: | {{: | ||
| - | **Reviewed | + | The full guide on the conveyance deed, including RERA section 17 and deemed conveyance in Maharashtra, |
| - | <WRAP center round info 95%> | + | Also useful: |
| - | **Quick answer** | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Two separate legal duties sit on every builder: form a housing society within three months (RERA Section 11(4)(e)) and execute a registered conveyance deed within three months of the Occupancy Certificate (RERA Section 17). If they ignore both, flat owners can register the society independently, | + | |
| - | </ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Who this guide is for ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | This guide is for flat or apartment buyers in India — individually or as a group — who face any one or more of these situations: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * You have possession of your flat but the builder has not registered (or initiated registration of) a cooperative housing society, apartment owners' | + | |
| - | * A society was registered long ago but the builder has not executed a conveyance deed transferring the land and building title to the society. | + | |
| - | * The builder is actively obstructing society meetings, withholding the original title documents (mother deed, development agreement, sanctioned plans), or refusing to hand over common areas. | + | |
| - | * You are in Maharashtra and want to use the deemed conveyance route through the Mahasahakar (District Deputy Registrar) portal. | + | |
| - | * You need the municipal corporation' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | State laws differ. RERA applies nationwide to registered projects. The deemed conveyance mechanism under MOFA (Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act 1963) and the Mahasahakar online system is **specific to Maharashtra** and is the most fully developed administrative route in any Indian state. Residents in other states will rely primarily on their state RERA authority and state cooperative society law. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== What you can do this weekend ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Friday evening ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Pull out your sale agreement and check two things: (1) whether your project is registered with your state RERA — you can verify this in under two minutes on your state RERA portal by searching the project name; and (2) whether your agreement contains any clause about society formation or conveyance timelines. Make a note of the project RERA registration number — you will need it for the RERA complaint. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Create a shared WhatsApp group or Signal group with as many flat owners in your building as you can reach. You need at least ten members to independently register a cooperative housing society in most states (check your state' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Saturday ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Collect evidence as a group. Each owner scans or photographs their: sale agreement, allotment letter, possession letter, and any emails or letters from the builder mentioning society formation or conveyance. Pool these into a shared folder. Print the RERA project page showing the project registration, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | If the builder' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Sunday ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Prepare your RTI application to the municipal corporation or development authority (whichever gave the building approval for your project). You want certified copies of: the sanctioned building plan, the Commencement Certificate, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | In parallel, decide which member of the buyer group will anchor the process — attend hearings, liaise with a cooperative society lawyer, and monitor the RERA portal. Rotating responsibility rarely works; designate a lead. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Documents and evidence checklist ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ^ Document ^ Why you need it ^ Where to get it (if missing) ^ | + | |
| - | | Sale agreement / allotment letter (all flat owners) | Establishes each owner' | + | |
| - | | Possession letter | Triggers RERA timeline obligations on the builder | Builder' | + | |
| - | | Index II copies from Sub-Registrar | Confirms registered owner of each flat; needed for DDR/RERA applications | Sub-Registrar office for your survey/ | + | |
| - | | RERA project registration certificate | Confirms project is RERA-registered; | + | |
| - | | Sanctioned building plan | Verifies approved FSI, number of units, amenities promised | **RTI to municipal corporation / development authority** | | + | |
| - | | Occupancy Certificate (OC) | Mandatory prerequisite for deemed conveyance in Maharashtra; | + | |
| - | | Commencement / Completion Certificate | Shows construction was approved at each stage | **RTI to municipal corporation / planning authority** | | + | |
| - | | Development agreement between builder and landowner | Shows original land title and builder' | + | |
| - | | 7/12 extract or property card (Maharashtra) / equivalent | Shows current ownership of the plot in revenue records | Mahabhumi portal (Maharashtra) / state land records portal | | + | |
| - | | Society registration certificate | Required before applying for deemed conveyance; proves society is a legal entity | District Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies (after you register) | | + | |
| - | | Legal notice to builder (registered post) | Prerequisite for RERA complaint and deemed conveyance application; | + | |
| - | | Proof of stamp duty and registration fees paid on individual sale deeds | Establishes each owner has completed their purchase; required for DDR application | Sub-Registrar receipt / endorsement on registered sale deed | | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Step-by-step action plan ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Step 1: Verify your project' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Before filing anything, check whether your project is registered with your state RERA authority and whether it is currently active or lapsed. An active registration means you have a direct RERA complaint route. Search by project name or registration number on your state RERA portal (for Maharashtra: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Step 2: Build the buyer-group evidence file ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | A lone complainant is weaker than a coordinated group. Collect signed consent letters from at least a majority of flat owners confirming they support the complaint and the society formation. Pool everyone' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Step 3: Register the society independently ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | If the builder has [[/ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Step 4: Send a formal legal notice ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Through a lawyer (or using the template below as a starting point), send a registered-post legal notice to the builder' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Step 5: File an RTI for approvals held by the public authority ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | The municipal corporation, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Step 6: File a RERA complaint ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | File a complaint on your state RERA portal under Section 31 of the RERA Act 2016. In Maharashtra this is done at maharera.maharashtra.gov.in. For other states, visit your state RERA authority' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Step 7: Apply for deemed conveyance (Maharashtra route) ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | This step applies specifically to Maharashtra residents with a registered cooperative housing society. The **deemed conveyance mechanism under MOFA Section 11** allows a registered society to obtain the conveyance of land and building from the builder without the builder' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Apply online through the Mahasahakar portal (mahasahakar.maharashtra.gov.in) using **Form 7 of the MOFA Rules**. Your application must include: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * Society' | + | |
| - | * 7/12 extract or property card (recent, within three months) | + | |
| - | * Sale agreement copies for all flat owners or proof of flat ownership | + | |
| - | * Legal notice served under the Maharashtra Apartment Act or MOFA | + | |
| - | * List of all lawful flat holders | + | |
| - | * Building completion certificate from the planning authority | + | |
| - | * Development agreement and sanctioned plans | + | |
| - | * Draft conveyance deed | + | |
| - | * Any land conversion or non-agricultural use orders (if applicable) | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Once the application is submitted, the DDR will schedule a hearing and notify both the society and the builder. The DDR will hear both sides before passing an order. In practice, the process from application to order can take several months; follow up regularly through the online portal. Once the DDR passes the deemed conveyance order, the society must get it **registered at the Sub-Registrar' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | **Important: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Residents in states other than Maharashtra should consult the equivalent provisions: Gujarat Ownership Flats Act 1973, Karnataka Ownership of Flats Act 1972, or the general route of a RERA Section 17 enforcement complaint. The administrative mechanism varies significantly by state. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Step 8: Escalate if no movement ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | If the RERA complaint or DDR application stalls, escalate to the RERA Appellate Tribunal, file a writ petition in the High Court, or approach the Consumer Forum under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 for individual relief on deficiency of service. See the escalation ladder below for the full hierarchy. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Escalation ladder ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ^ Level ^ Forum / Authority ^ Route ^ Typical use case ^ | + | |
| - | | 1 | Builder / Promoter | Written demand letter; registered-post legal notice | First step — creates paper trail; costs only postage and lawyer fee | | + | |
| - | | 2 | State RERA Authority | Online complaint under Section 31, RERA 2016 — state RERA portal | Society formation delay (S.11) + conveyance deed default (S.17); most projects; penalty up to 5% of project cost | | + | |
| - | | 3 | District Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies (Maharashtra) | Form 7 application on Mahasahakar portal for deemed conveyance under MOFA Section 11 | Registered cooperative housing society needing title transfer without builder cooperation — Maharashtra only | | + | |
| - | | 4 | RERA Appellate Tribunal | Appeal against RERA authority order within the prescribed period | If RERA authority dismisses complaint or builder doesn' | + | |
| - | | 5 | Consumer Forum (District / State / National) | Complaint under Consumer Protection Act 2019 for deficiency in service | Individual flat buyer seeking specific relief; compensation; | + | |
| - | | 6 | High Court (Writ / Civil Suit) | Writ petition or specific performance suit | When all administrative routes are exhausted or stalled; requires a lawyer | | + | |
| - | | RTI parallel track | Municipal Corporation / Development Authority PIO | RTI application under RTI Act 2005 to the public authority holding approvals | Get sanctioned plan, OC, commencement certificate for use in all above forums | | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Copy-paste complaint template ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Replace the text in square brackets with your own details before sending. This is a draft legal notice / representation — have a lawyer review it before sending if possible. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | To, | + | |
| - | The Promoter / Developer, | + | |
| - | [Builder' | + | |
| - | [Builder' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | By Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Date: [Date] | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Subject: Legal Notice — Demand for Cooperative Housing Society Formation and Execution of Conveyance Deed for [Project Name], [City/ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Dear Sir / Madam, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | We, the undersigned flat owners (details in Annexure A), are the allottees of apartments in your residential project " | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | SOCIETY FORMATION DEMAND: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | As per Section 11(4)(e) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, you are obligated to enable formation of a cooperative housing society / association of allottees within three months of the majority of allottees having booked their apartments, or within the timeline under state rules, whichever applies. As of the date of this notice, [X months] have elapsed since [51% of apartments were booked / the Occupancy Certificate was received], yet no such society has been formed / registered on our behalf. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | CONVEYANCE DEED DEMAND: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | As per Section 17 of the RERA Act 2016, you are obligated to execute a registered conveyance deed in our favour / in favour of the Association of Allottees within three months from the date of issue of the Occupancy Certificate. The Occupancy Certificate for the project was issued on [Date, if known] / You have failed to obtain the Occupancy Certificate despite [X] years having passed since possession. You have not executed the conveyance deed to date. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | DEMAND: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | We hereby demand that you: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | 1. Initiate and complete the registration of the cooperative housing society / association of allottees within 30 days of receipt of this notice. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | 2. Execute a duly stamped and registered conveyance deed in favour of the society / association within 30 days of society registration, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | 3. Hand over all project documents including the sanctioned plan, Commencement Certificate, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Failure to comply with the above demands within 30 days will compel us to file a complaint before the [State] RERA Authority under Section 31 of the RERA Act 2016, file an application for deemed conveyance before the District Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies [for Maharashtra residents], and take all other legal remedies available to us, including an approach to the Consumer Forum and the High Court. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Yours faithfully, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | [Signature of authorised representative / all signing owners] | + | |
| - | [Name(s)] | + | |
| - | [Flat Number(s)] | + | |
| - | [Contact number(s)] | + | |
| - | [Email address(es)] | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Annexure A: List of flat owners with flat numbers and agreement dates | + | |
| - | Annexure B: Copies of sale agreements (or summary page) | + | |
| - | Annexure C: RERA project registration print-out | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== When RTI can help ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | The RTI Act 2005 applies to **public authorities** — any authority constituted by law, or owned, controlled, or substantially financed by the government. In the context of builder non-compliance with conveyance and society formation, RTI is a powerful tool for the following: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Get the sanctioned building plan ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | The municipal corporation, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Note: The Central Information Commission has held that internal room arrangement details in a third-party building plan may be withheld, but the horizontal (external) sanction plan must be provided. Ask specifically for the horizontal sanctioned plan and the site plan. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Get the Occupancy Certificate or learn it was not issued ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | The [[/ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Verify approvals the builder claims to have obtained ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Builders sometimes claim that " | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Get information from the Registrar of Cooperative Societies ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | The Registrar of Cooperative Societies is a public authority. If you suspect the builder has already applied for society registration under fraudulent names or in a way that excludes actual flat owners, file an RTI to the Registrar asking for a copy of the application and registration documents for any cooperative housing society registered for your project address. For more, see the guide on [[/ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Also see: [[/ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== When RTI will not help ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | RTI **does not apply to private entities**, no matter how large or how many people are affected. The following cannot be compelled to answer an RTI application: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * **The builder / promoter company itself** — a private developer is not a public authority. You cannot use RTI to demand internal project files, contracts, accounts, or communications from the builder. Use RERA discovery or consumer forum processes for that. | + | |
| - | * **The housing society itself** (once formed) — a cooperative housing society is generally not a public authority unless it is substantially financed by the government. Use the state' | + | |
| - | * **Private banks or financiers** involved in the project — for information about construction finance, use the RERA project registration page (builders must disclose encumbrances) or CERSAI. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | For RTI applications to public authorities, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Common mistakes to avoid ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * **Waiting for the builder indefinitely.** RERA sets specific timelines — three months from 51% bookings for society formation, three months from OC for conveyance. Once these pass, every additional month of silence is a documented violation. File promptly; delay harms your case. | + | |
| - | * **Applying for deemed conveyance before registering the society.** In Maharashtra, | + | |
| - | * **Applying for deemed conveyance without an Occupancy Certificate.** The OC is a prerequisite. If the OC has not been issued, first address that gap — via RERA complaint or municipal authority application — before pursuing deemed conveyance. | + | |
| - | * **Filing a RERA complaint against an unregistered project.** RERA complaints under Section 31 can only be filed against RERA-registered projects. If your project predates RERA or is below the registration threshold, you must use the Consumer Forum, civil court, or state cooperative society law instead. | + | |
| - | * **Sending the legal notice to the wrong address.** The notice must go to the builder' | + | |
| - | * **Relying only on verbal assurances from the builder.** Every commitment the builder makes must be in writing — email or letter. If a builder promises a society meeting or a conveyance date verbally, follow up with a written summary ("Dear Sir, confirming your verbal representation of [date]..." | + | |
| - | * **Filing RTI to the builder instead of the public authority.** A common mistake is sending an RTI application to the builder or to the housing society. Only public authorities are obligated to respond. Direct your RTI to the municipal corporation, | + | |
| - | * **Treating deemed conveyance as a Maharashtra-only concept that works in all states.** The Mahasahakar / DDR route is specific to Maharashtra. Residents of other states should explore RERA Section 17 complaints and state-specific ownership flat laws. Do not apply for " | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Official links ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * [[https:// | + | |
| - | * [[https:// | + | |
| - | * [[https:// | + | |
| - | * [[https:// | + | |
| - | * [[https:// | + | |
| - | * [[https:// | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | //For your state' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Frequently asked questions ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== What is the difference between a conveyance deed and a sale deed? ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | A sale deed transfers ownership of your individual flat from builder to you. A conveyance deed (also called society conveyance) transfers ownership of the land and common building structure from the builder to the registered housing society as a collective. Without the conveyance deed, the builder remains the legal owner of the plot even after every flat is sold. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Is the builder legally required to form a housing society? ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Yes. Under Section 11(4)(e) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), the promoter must enable formation of a cooperative society, company, or association of allottees. In the absence of state law specifying a different timeline, this must happen within three months of the majority of allottees having booked their apartments. MahaRERA Rules 2017 specifically trigger this obligation when 51% of apartments in a building or wing are booked. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== What is deemed conveyance and who can apply for it? ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Deemed conveyance is a legal remedy under Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act (MOFA) 1963, Section 11, that allows a registered cooperative housing society to obtain ownership of the land and building without the builder' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Within what time must a builder execute the conveyance deed under RERA? ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Under Section 17 of RERA 2016, the promoter must execute a registered conveyance deed in favour of the allottees' | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Can RTI help us get the sanctioned plan and occupancy certificate when the builder won't share them? ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Yes. The municipal corporation or development authority that approved the building plan and issued (or refused) the Occupancy Certificate is a public authority under the RTI Act 2005. You can file an RTI application to the PIO of that authority to obtain certified copies of the sanctioned plan, commencement certificate, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Does deemed conveyance apply in states other than Maharashtra? | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | The concept of forcing a builder to transfer land title to a registered society is available in other states through RERA Section 17 and state-specific ownership flat laws (e.g., Gujarat Ownership Flats Act 1973, Karnataka Ownership of Flats Act 1972). However, the administrative machinery for deemed conveyance — the online portal, the Government Resolutions specifying Form 7, and the District Deputy Registrar route — is most comprehensively developed in Maharashtra. In other states, the primary route is a RERA complaint or civil court action. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== What if the project is not registered with RERA? ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | RERA registration is mandatory for most residential projects above a prescribed size threshold; a builder cannot sell flats in an unregistered covered project. If your project pre-dates RERA or falls below the threshold, your routes are: state cooperative society law (Registrar route), MOFA / state ownership flats act, Consumer Forum under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, or civil court. Use RTI to get approvals from the public authority regardless of RERA registration status. | + | |
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