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Home buyers need not worry about being levied a service tax

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Local authorities in some states do not issue completion certificates while others take many years to issue one. The budget for 2010-11 has proposed Service tax if payment is made before the completion of construction. If Home buyers and property developers cannot procure a completion certificate from the local authority they need not worry about being levied a service tax. The government could allow some independent authority to certify that the property is complete.

“We are examining the issue and will see if a similar certificate from an outside agency can suffice,” said a finance ministry official.The service tax will be levied only on 33% of the base price of a flat sold at construction stage. Charges such as development fee, parking fee and premium location usually paid at the time of completion of construction will also be included in the base price. The new rule will come into effect when Parliament approves the budget.

Home buyers and property developers need not worry, if they cannot procure a completion certificate.The finance ministry may admit a certificate from an architect or builders association as a sufficient proof of completion. Sale of fully completed houses will be exempt from the tax if a completion certificate from a local authority is provided.

Non-availability of completion certificate can increase the cost of a property as the 3.3% service tax would be significant, taking the tax element to nearly 10% after including the stamp duty.Property developers had a mixed response to the proposal. Rajeev Talwar, managing director of DLF, the country’s largest developer, felt the flexibility could be abused. However, an executive of Delhi-based developer Ansal API appreciated the government’s decision. “If the government takes the decision to outsource the whole process to an accredited agency, it will take the pressure off the realty firms.”

Reference:

The Economic Times

Reduction in stamp duty is a boon

Friday, March 12th, 2010

In recent Karnataka budget 2010-11, the decrease in stamp duty is expected to cause some optimism among home buyers. Real estate sector is gradually becoming active and reduction in stamp duty in recent budget is boon for for those homebuyers or investing in real estate.

Stamp duty on Deposition of Title Deed (DTD) would be would be reduced to 0.10 per cent from previous 0.25 per cent subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs.50,000. For amalgamation and de-merger of companies, present rate of 5 per cent would be brought down to 3 per cent. One per cent duty would be imposed on papers of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR).

An appropriate amendments would be brought in to stop stamp duty evasion in transfer of apartments/flats. Stamp duty on Agreement to Sale to be modified from 0.25 per cent to 0.10 per cent subject to a maximum of Rs.20,000. After further simplifying of duty structure in respect of lease and license, Stamp Duty at the rate of 0.50 per cent will be imposed for a period up to 1 year subject to a maximum of Rs.500 for residential buildings. Stamp Duty would be imposed one, two and three per cent respectively for a period of one year to 10 years, 10 to 20 years, 20 to 30 years, based on average of one-year. rentals and advance

Stamp Duty and Registration Fee exemption

In the recent budget 2010-11, it is decide to exempt Stamp Duty and Registration Fee fully in respect of loan documents of rainwater harvesting units, houses built under Indira Avas Scheme and non-conventional sources of energy – like solar and bio-gas energy units. Stamp Duty and Registration Fee exemption will be granted in respect of documents transferring properties for public purposes, free of cost to local bodies and urban development authorities. Duty in respect of annulment of all kinds of documents will be simplified.

Rainwater Harvesting opened a new window of employment to plumbers

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) appears to have opened a new window of employment to plumbers, who are in huge demand.There are approximately 60,000 houses which need to implement the system in Bangalore by May 2010, and 8,000 of them have already implemented it, according to BWSSB.

Each project can cost from Rs 4,000 to about Rs 40,000, which includes the material and labour cost. BWSSB is also trying to get the 12.5% VAT exempted from materials required for rainwater harvesting.The mandatory clause will be applicable for all new structures on a sital area measuring 1,200 sqft (30×40) and above, in the case of existing structures, it will be applicable for those built on a sital area of 2,400 sqft (40×60) and above.

When the order was issued, there were hardly any plumbers to do the skilled job, now there are around 400 plumbers trained by BWSSB, Karnataka State Council for Science and Technologies (KSCST) and IISc, and are available to implement the system wherever required. NGOs like Samvada are also training youth. “Around 10 youth trained by Samvada are busy meeting the demands of several calls. Their charges are site-specific and they specialize in rooftop rainwater harvesting for houses, hospitals, factories or any commercial establishments”-said program associate, Samvada, Satish K S.

The training process for rainwater harvesting will continue for the next three years. From April, another 500 will be trained and certified. Anyone can take up this training, and no formal qualification is required. As of now, BWSSB’s registered plumbers are being trained.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has proposed relaxation of Value Added Tax (VAT) for filters intended to motivate the public to opt for RWH before the May 27 deadline. To motivate plumbers to carry out Rain Water Harvesting (RWH), BWSSB has announced cash incentives if they attain specific targets.

Source: Times of India

Akrama-Sakrama Regularization Scheme May Take another Six Months

Monday, January 18th, 2010

with the Governor, H.R.Bhardwaj, suggesting a thorough discussion on the issue on the floor of the Legislature, the hopes and aspirations of a large number of Bangaloreans to utilize the Akrama-Sakrama scheme and thus legalize their dwelling unit continues to remain a distant dream.

The much-touted scheme of the ruling BJP aimed at pleasing Bangaloreans has thus hit a roadblock right away with the Opposition parties keen on a full-fledged discussion on the subject which is likely only in the budget session of the State Legislature in March. Sources in the two main Opposition parties in the two Houses of the Karnataka Legislature, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), told The Hindu that they are happy with the decision of the Governor to refrain from promulgating an ordinance.

“In 2004, the Governor T N Chaturvedi returned the ordinance with this message and then the government took three years to rectify and following objections the law was passed. It was also challenged in the Karnataka High Court which had stayed it. So how do you expect me to bypass both the legislature and judiciary?” asked Governor, H.R.Bhardwaj.

“It is an important subject which involves the lives of several lakhs of people. There has to be a full-fledged discussion on the Karnataka Town Planning (amendment) Bill.”

The two main Opposition parties in the two Houses were not per se against the Akrama-Sakrama scheme but were keen on a detailed discussion. It should be ensured that the scheme is only for the benefit of the common people and not for safeguard the interests of the real estate developers or commercial builders who have indulged in gross violations of building bye-laws.

The number of unauthorized constructions in the State has swelled with every passing year and what was four lakh when the regularization scheme was first proposed in 2004 has now touched nearly 13 lakh of which 10 lakh is in Bangalore alone.

Given the nature of the reply given by the Governor to the proposal of the State Cabinet to promulgate an ordinance, the regularization scheme is expected to be implemented well after the elections to the council of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike scheduled to be gone through on February 21. People will, however, have a year’s time to apply for regularization from the date of commencement of the process, although the cut-off date for regularisation has been fixed — December 3, 2009 — the date on which the State Cabinet approved the scheme.

Link to Refer:
The Hindu

A huge rush at the BBMP property tax collection centres

Monday, November 30th, 2009

BBMP property tax kiosks had a busy day on Sunday, the last date for paying the second installment of property tax for 2009-10 without penalty. There was a huge rush at the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) property tax collection centers. “Our online property tax collections have touched Rs18crore. The online collection on Sunday alone stood at Rs35 lakh,” a senior BBMP official said.

Devendrappa, assistant revenue officer at the Mayo Hall BBMP office, said, “About Rs75 lakh was collected at our office on Sunday alone. In the three wards of Neelasandra, Shantinagar and Richmond Town that come under our jurisdiction, there are 20,000 property holders and 75% of them have paid the property tax. “Notices are being issued to 6,000 defaulting property holders. The defaulters will now have to pay the property tax along with a 2% monthly penalty,” he said.

There was huge rush at the property tax collection centers on Sunday, raising the levy collection for the year to Rs500 crore.The online collection on Sunday alone stood at Rs35 lakh.The defaulters will now have to pay the property tax along with a 2% monthly penalty.

Reference:

bbmp property tax kiosks had a busy day

Bangalore Shifts into one BHK homes

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Many developers in the city are looking at building— 1-BHK ranging between 500 sqft and 800 sqft with a price tag of around Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. Electronic City, Whitefield, Marathahalli and Bannerghatta Road are the current hotspots for 1-BHK and studio apartments. Brigade Group, which just announced the launch of its value homes, says that 30% to 40% of the 10,000 units it’s expected to build would comprise 1-BHK units.

Bangalore city that rarely saw a 1-bedroom hall kitchen (BHK) apartment or a studio apartment could soon have a plethora of them. Most of the handful of 1-BHK apartments around are actually 2-BHK apartments converted into 1-BHK ones, sporting a large drawing room. Pricewise, these units command the same rates as a 2-BHK.

The trend of buyers wanting 1-BHK units and developers acceding to their wishes hinges on affordability. 1-BHK ranging between 500 sqft and 800 sqft with a price tag of around Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. This could particularly benefit young professionals, newly-wed couples, and senior citizens.

Lease out as serviced apartment or rent out as studio apartment 1-BHK units will also help rental market. For a serviced apartment model, the per night tariff would be between Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000, while on a monthly basis the rental could start from Rs 10,000.

Akruti Developers has launched a 150-unit fully-furnished studio apartment project in Whitefield. The units range between 650 sqft and 800 sqft in size and come fully loaded with AC, TV, and furniture including a coffee maker. According to Nikhil Jadhav, MD, Akruti Developers, “We are offering this product as an investment option to buyers whereby they can either lease them out as serviced apartments or give them on rent as studio apartments.”

Links to refer

bangalore shifts into 1 bhk homes

Hundreds Of Property Owners Hounded By BBMP Despite Having Paid Tax

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

BBMP has sent nearly 2 lakh notices over the past 10 days. May 30, 2009, was the last date to pay the second half installment without penalty for 2008-09. Technically, the BBMP has powers to issue notices from September. However, the process was delayed till the compilation was complete.

In its drive to catch errant taxpayers for the previous block period (2008-09), the Palike has surprisingly been snaring a few regulars. This has shocked both residential and commercial property owners. Venkatesh, staying in an apartment on Sarjapur Road who promptly paid tax for both block periods within the rebate period, was shocked when he received the notice. It said the BBMP is yet to receive tax on his property for the previous year.

BBMP revenue officials, who confirmed the mistakes had indeed happened, said it could be in cases where people paid tax on the cut-off date or later.  “We admit it’s a mistake but you needn’t panic if you have the receipt. You must produce it and ignore the notice,’’ a BBMP official said.

According to BBMP records, only 7.63 lakh property owners of the overall 20 lakh properties in Bangalore have paid tax for 2008-09. This includes 2.6 lakh owners in core areas which have 6.9 lakh properties. A majority of residential property owners in the newly added areas are yet to enter the tax bracket for the previous block period. All this when the November 30 deadline for payment of second-half instalment for the current block period is not too far away.

Reference:

Times of India

BDA’s Masterplan 2015 has increased the building heights

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Until now, any building with a height of 15 meters or more (ground plus four floors) was classified a highrise.The new zonal regulations have increased the threshold to 24 meters (ground plus eight floors).

The BDA’s Masterplan 2015 has increased the threshold to 24 metres. For this, you don’t need to get an NOC from the fire force department. Even two years after the Karnataka government’s nod, the go-vertical plan is mired in a bickering among the BDA, fire and emergency services department and BBMP.

But Fire force department has written to the BDA commissioner that the height relaxation is illegal. According to them, any building beyond 15 meters should obtain an NOC.

The Masterplan gave a relaxation — buildings up to 24 metres needn’t obtain an NoC from the fire department and pollution control board. But the builder has to incorporate the fire-safety norms, architect should submit an affidavit confirming the structure has adhered to fire-safety norms.

Reference:
Tiff stops Bangalore’s vertical growth

Property Cards will serve as authentic documents

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Today it is world of cards where you will have credit card, debit card, petro and membership cards. Now property owners in Karnataka will soon have property card which will serve as authentic documents.

When the Karnataka Land Grabbers (Prohibition) Act comes into force soon, it’ll bring in transparency by cleaning up land records. Sources in the revenue department said that, with new rules in place, registration of sale deeds would be replaced with registration of titles. This will be done by introducing the progressive system of property titles and maintenance modeled on the Torrens System. The newly formed task force for eviction of encroachers on government land is also part of it.

The Karnataka Land Revenue Rules provide for a detailed inquiry of urban properties which can be done by the survey department following a procedure of issuing notices, hearing objections, ascertaining documents and finally writing property cards. The property card proposal is currently awaiting presidential assent.

There are about 15 lakh properties under BBMP and still more in the 2,000 sq km of Bangalore Urban district.In Bangalore,survey of property was last undertaken in 1975. It’s estimated that about 150 qualified surveyors would be required to complete the city survey inquiry.Even if a citizen pays Rs 500 to get the highly dependable property card, the cost of the project can be met. The present system of registration of documents can be misused quite often. With new rules in place, registration of sale deeds would be replaced with registration of titles.

Reference:

Property cards to fix glitches in records

The Future of Affordable Housing is Indeed Bright

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Real estate sector always come up with innovative way to secure your investment. Buying a home is dream of common man and affordable housing has made dream come true. “Affordable housing” is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed “affordable” to those that have a median income.

Affordable housing denotes the basic human need for a comfortable home that offers value for money and cost is relative to the amount that the buyer can afford. Experts here suggest that homes costing no more than five times the buyer’s annual income can be considered affordable.

According to a Planning Commission Report, the urban housing shortage as in March 2007 was around 24.71 million and it will increase to 26.5 million by 2012. Ninety-nine per cent of this shortfall in housing is with regard to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low-Income Groups (LIG) which contributes to squatting and slum formation. Apart from the existing shortfall, the increasing urban population, which is expected to reach 576 million in 2030 from the current figure of 328 million, will add to the affordable housing demand.

Some developers have either shifted to affordable home projects or made some change in project to make their existing project fit for affordable home. If you already own a house, investing in a second property may not be a bad idea. You can get tax benefit on your second home. Buy a second house that meets your needs, available finances and lifestyle.  The economic slowdown is proving to be a blessing in disguise for the common man, especially as far as housing is concerned.

Lower interest rate, construction cost and easy home loan makes investing or buying affordable home easy.The future of affordable housing for the next few years to come is indeed bright. Energies of all stakeholders are focused in the right direction to meet a common goal. Public-private partnerships will be a vital tool and the way forward to address affordable housing.