Wednesday, 9 June 2021

FAQ's on "Financial Management under RERA" answered by RERA Experts

                             


Q 1.) Does marketing and branding costs not include in the cost of the project?  

Ans. - Sec 2 (v) of the RERA Act 2016 defined “Estimated cost of real estate project” means the total the cost involved in developing the real estate project and includes the land cost, taxes, cess, development, and other charges. 
The estimated cost of real estate project = Land Cost + development Cost
Development cost = Construction Cost + Other Costs
Further respective RERA Rules has defined - The cost of construction shall include all such costs, incurred by the promoter towards on-site and off-site expenditure for the development of the real estate project including payment of Taxes, Fees, charges, premiums, interests, etc., to any competent authority, or statutory authority of the Central or State Government, including interest, paid or payable to any Financial Institutions including scheduled banks or non – banking financial companies etc.
By Reading of definitions, it is understood that the Estimated cost of a real estate project is the Cost for the development of the Project. Generally, Sales and marketing costs related to Sales Expenses. Hence Sales and marketing costs shall not be included to arrive at the Estimated cost of the real estate project and also shall not be considered as incurred while the issuance of CA certificate for withdrawal of funds from the project Bank Account-based on a percentage of completion of the project.

 
Q 2.) How to take the cost of land in case of dagpa (Joint Development) ?    

Ans. - RERA Act does not differentiate between whether the weather project is developed on own land or a third party (landowner). RERA Act mandates the registration of the Real Estate Project and not the promoter share in the Real Estate Project. 
The State rules has defined the Cost of Land - the costs incurred by the promoter for acquisition of ownership and title of the land parcels for the real estate project as an outright purchase lease etc., or the Guidance Value in accordance with section 45-B of the Karnataka Stamp Act 1957 relevant on the date of registration of the real estate project whichever is higher.
Hence promoters shall consider the Cost of Land - higher of purchase price or Guidance value as on date of application for grant of RERA Registration irrespective of own land or joint development.

 
Q 3.) Will Income Tax be a part of the cost of the project?   

Ans. Since this is not a tax paid for the development of the project, but it is paid as a result of the profit derived on development of the real estate project.

 
Q 4.) What is the purpose of mentioning the cost belonging to the owner when it is a Joint Development Agreement?      

Ans. - RERA Act does not differentiate between whether the project is developed on own land or third party land (land owner). RERA Act mandates the registration of the Real Estate Project and not the promoter share in the Real Estate Project.  Hence, cost of the land for the purpose of registration of Real Estate Project shall be mentioned in the application for grant of registration.  
In case of JDA, both the Promoter and LandOwner are deemed to be promoters and jointly liable to comply with the requirements under RERA and most of the Authorities have issued circular clarifying this and require a single designated Bank Account to be opened and 70 % of the money collected to be deposited into the same account.
 

Q 5.) Do landowners require separate registration Under RERA?         

Ans. - Project shall be registered as 1 (Developer + landowner) share. RERA Act mandates the registration of the Real Estate Project and not the promoter share in the Real Estate Project. 
 

Q 6.) Is it possible to change the estimated cost of construction later on once registration is done?          
    
Ans. - To change the estimated cost Promoter shall make an application, giving an explanation as to the reason for the change in the cost along with supporting documents substantiating such change in the estimated cost of construction.

 
Q 7.) Can we get a Certificate Formats?      
   
Ans. - Certificate formats are available to be downloaded on the website of all Authorities. 

 
Q.8.) How to show sold units in commercial units whereas the plan is for the entire floor. later sold at small units on the floor? 

Ans. Generally, the Number of units or inventory in the project shall be declared in the application for grant of registration along with the Carpet Area in Square meter. Square meters could be the measurement of sold and unsold in commercial projects if the promoter does not have a standard number of units.

 
Q 9.)  The reader of the certificate is the Statutory authority?        

Ans. - The certificates are presently only available for the Authority's scrutiny, however, it may become available to the public soon and is amenable to an Allottee under RTI.  

 
Q 10.)  Is there any time limit for Post Registration compliance?   

Ans. - The Post-registration update would have to be completed before the first Quarterly update, otherwise the Quarterly update can not be done. There are not as such guidelines for Post Registration, however, we recommend as soon as you obtain the registration. 

 
Q 11.) - A flat is sold at 60 Lacs. However, the promoter has agreed to pay EMIs for 1 year amounting to 4.8 Lacs. What is the amount to be reported in RERA as sales?  

Ans. - Amount realized from the allottee is Rs.60 Lacs in terms of the agreement. hence the same shall be mentioned in the certificate. EMI paid is as expenses to the promoter and not related to the consideration towards the unit. 
 
Q 12.) - My RERA application was approved on 31.03.2021, Should I file for the quarter from January to March 2021? 

Ans. - Yes, as the approval date falls within the quarter date. Quarterly filing for March 2021 is applicable (for Karnataka projects).

 
Q 13.) - Is there any way to change the architect, engineer or contractor details once the registration is done under RERA?            
    
 Ans. – Promoters need to inform the RERA Authority in order to change the architect, engineer, or contractor details and also obtain NOC from the previous professional. The format of the Engineer Certificate notified by the Authority has mentioned that the promoter shall not change the engineer without taking approval of the Authority.

 
Q 14.) - The due date for Q4 quarterly updates is 15 days from the end of the quarter. The due date for the Annual report is 6 months from the end of the financial year. So, Is it mandatory to upload the annual report with the Q4 quarterly updates or can it be done anytime before 30 September?                

Ans. – Please refer to State Rules for due dates for Quarterly updates. Most of the States direct to file 15 days from the end of each quarter and 30th Sep for Annual accounts. 

 
Q. 15) - RERA completion date for my project was 10/6/2019, but the project is still not completed by the builder. Can the landowner revoke the Joint Development Agreement with the builder and complete the remaining work by collecting the amount from flat holders? Can we complete the cost of the remaining work through the balance with flat holders?       

Ans. - If the Project has been registered under RERA by the Promoter, The Landowner would have to seek for Transfer of the Project under Section 15 because Landowner can not simply be taken over.

          
Q. 16.) - Whether the process is smooth and cost-efficient. After transfer can the landowner do the registration of flats which were earlier booked by the builder in his share? 

sAns. - In our Experience, each real estate project has unique challenges to address. If the landowner along with the allottees is able to gather the consent for the scheme of the takeover, it would be faster and cost-effective.
 
Q. 17.) - How to change the cost of the estimated cost of the project? 

Ans - File a separate application along with an explanation and representation before the Authority for such correction in estimated cost of real estate project. 

 
Q. 18.) - How to show sold units in commercial units, whereas the plan is for the entire floor. Later sold at small units in the floor in Quantity updates?

Ans. – You can mention sold by the Carpet Area. 

 
Q. 19.) - The agreement is for Rs. 1 crore, the allottee has paid Rs. 50 lakhs (Rs. 49.5 lakhs to promotor and Rs. 50,000 towards TDS). In this case, what will be the amount collected from the allottee, whether it should be Rs. 49.5 lakhs or Rs. 50 lakhs?    
                               
Ans. -  Rs. 50 lacs as TDS is credited in favour of Builder.  

 
Q. 20.) - Can the landlord & developer be able to have multiple RERA accounts for their share?

Ans. – RERA Act mandates project-specific bank accounts. Only 1 bank is allowed as a project-designated bank. There can not be different/multiple bank accounts for builders and LO. Refer notification or circulars issued by the RERA Authorities. 

 
Q 21.) Architect certificate is issued as per the format, it does not have an overall percentage of completion of the project, what percentage to be mentioned in CA Certificate?

Ans – Please insist the architect to mention over all % of completion of the development of the project. Otherwise, the promoter shall provide it. CA should mention the fact of % of completion as per Architect in his certificate while issuing the certificate for withdrawal of funds in accordance with Sec 4(2)(L)(D) of the Act.  
 

Q. 22.) Do we have to open a collection account; 70% &30% or only a designated account is enough for plots project?   
                 
Ans. - Act says bank account in a scheduled bank account - even 1 bank account is sufficient - Many banks have come out with separate products for the RERA project having 3 different accounts (Master Collection Account + 70 % Account + 30% Account). For the purpose of RERA, promoters shall provide a 70 % Account during Registration. 
 

Q. 23.) Whose percentage to be considered for withdrawal from the bank. Architect, Engineer, or CA? 

Ans. - Architects issue the % of Completion of development of the Project. Based on the Architects certificate, CA calculates the amount eligible for withdrawal of funds from the project Designated Bank Account.
 

                                                   RERA Consultants LLP, 

                                  Contact Us: 9535578604/ 8296807004

                                                                                                                                                           


                   


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