There are 32 flat-owners in our complex, which has a supermarket on the ground floor. We are yet to register the flat owners’ association. Will we face any problems in registration because of the supermarket?

Tanmoy Neogy, Nagerbazar

The supermarket will not pose any problem in obtaining registration. There are many housing complexes where the ground floor is used for commercial purposes. One can even consider making the commercial entity part of the owners’ association.

Thirty per cent of our housing complex is currently occupied. Some parts of the complex are still under construction and the promoter is bearing the maintenance expenses. We are facing a few electrical and plumbing problems in the complex.

How long is the promoter supposed to provide us free maintenance? Is there any rule regarding this?

Shaibal Das, Calcutta

The promoter is not bound to provide free maintenance. But in case of plumbing and electrical problems, the promoter is liable to fix them for a year after handing over the apartment.

I have bought a flat recently on home loan. I want to sell it in two years. How can this be done, considering I have not repaid the loan yet?

Saswata Barman, Calcutta

You can pay the outstanding amount of the loan and then register the deed of conveyance in the buyer’s name. However, this may attract a prepayment penalty of 2 per cent of the outstanding amount.

The other way is to ask your bank if it is willing to allow the buyer to pay the outstanding loan after the flat is registered in his name. In this case, you will get the difference between the value of the flat and the outstanding amount.

Banks, however, are not likely to agree to this as the transfer of a borrower’s account involves a lot of hassles, including re-registration of the conveyance deed.

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Sambit Saha, Business Telegraph, ABP Ltd,
6, Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta — 700001