Thousands of buyers who have been waiting for registration of their real estate units are likely to be benefited if the IBBI proposals are adopted, say experts
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has proposed reforms to streamline the insolvency process for real estate companies and enhance protection for homebuyers. For thousands of buyers awaiting registration of housing units in projects undergoing the Bankruptcy resolution process, the IBBI has proposed that ownership of the plot, apartment or building should be transferred to buyers who are in possession of the property during the bankruptcy resolution of the real estate company if they do not owe dues and subject to committee of creditors' approval.
“To facilitate the smooth handover of occupied units or where possession has been transferred to home buyers, it is proposed to allow RP to handover the ownership of a plot, apartment, or building to the allottees through transfer during the resolution process, with the approval of CoC. Further, to avoid delays due to unnecessary holds-ups, it is also proposed that with the approval of the CoC, RP may also be permitted to hand over the possession of units to the allottees on ‘as is where is’ basis or on payment of balance amount, if any, after taking into account the funds due and funds required for completing the unit,” the IBBI said in a discussion paper issued on November 7.
Several real estate firms such as Jaypee, Today Homes, Logix among others are facing insolvency proceedings.
These amendments have been proposed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of real estate insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) rules. Comments may be submitted electronically by 27th November, 2024, IBBI said.
The IBBI has proposed as many as seven changes to the regulations that govern the insolvency resolution in the real estate sector.
The regulator has also proposed to empower the CoC to facilitate the participation of association of allottees as resolution applicants.