I have chosen a flat which I am going to buy. It is in the Calcutta Municipal Corporation area and has a built-up area of 775 sqft and a parking space of 125 sqft. The flat was handed over to the present owner in 1995, but is yet to be mutated. The owner has not paid any corporation tax since 1995. How do I know how much tax is due? Where should I enquire and with what reference?

Sounak Paul, Guwahati

You have to pay the tax from the date of possession of the present owner. The exact amount, including arrears, can be found out from the CMC assessor. You have to submit documents like registration certificate and possession letter to the assessment department. The tax may be a sizeable amount.

I have bought a flat in Howrah and registered it in my name. But the final touches, including putting up sliding glass windows, are yet to be given. The promoter is now demanding more money — over Rs 25,000 — for the work. He has threatened to delay putting up the windows if I do not pay up. What should I do?

Vikas Goel, on email

The promoter may request you for more money than what has been agreed upon in the contract, but he cannot demand it. It is your discretion to pay. If he does not listen, you can file a complaint under The Promoters’ Act with the Bengal Housing Board.

I bought a flat along with an open parking space in a residential complex consisting of 90 flats in June 2005. I have registered the property. The promoter had not demarcated the parking area then and assured us that it would be done after handing over the project to the registered association.

The association is now saying the parking space is part of the super built-up area, which means I don’t have exclusive right to it. To add to my problems, some members of the association are parking their cars there without paying. The promoter says he has the authorisation for eight parking spaces, where 15 cars are parked daily, and the onus of proving illegal parking is on the association.

Rajib Dey, Behala

Parking space is never included in the super built-up area. The promoter is guilty of not demarcating the parking space. It should have been mentioned in the sale deed. The promoter should be told to immediately look into the matter.

Send your queries to propertt@abpmail.com or mail them to

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