I have filed a complaint with the Calcutta Municipal Corporation regarding an unauthorised construction by my neighbour. He has built rooms without leaving any space between my place and his, blocking air and light. No action has been taken so far. What should I do? Can the rooms be demolished?

B.N. Das, Calcutta

You should petition the CMC’s director-general of buildings. Also send a copy to the CMC executive engineer in charge of your area. If the CMC does not take any steps, you can take legal action. Not all unauthorised buildings are demolished. The CMC carries out inspections and then takes a decision. In minor cases, a penalty may be slapped and the construction legalised.

My father was a landlord. I have one sister and my mother is still alive. How can I transfer the property to my name and what will it cost me?

Saikat Ghosh, Calcutta

If your sister and mother are joint inheritors of the property, they have to make a deed of relinquishment in your favour. In that case, full stamp duty has to be paid. They can also gift you their share of the property through a gift deed and the stamp duty has to be paid accordingly.

I live in a four-storeyed building. A mobile operator has put up a tower on the roof and has agreed to pay rent. But the flat owners’ committee has not taken every owner’s written consent. Can the committee do this?

Rajib Poddar, Baghajatin

You can proceed legally against the committee if it violates any agreement. If the committee is empowered by the flat members to take such decisions on simple majority, it can go ahead.

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