Can ownerhsip rights be claimed by a tenant on rented property undergoing redevelopment?
Hello All,
I am seeking advice on the ownership rights on a tenanted property. I have been living in a tenanted property since my birth (1984) along with my immediate family. This property was taken by my grandfather's younger brother (sometime in 1950s) and it is still in his name. This is an apartment in an old building based in Mumbai and is undergoing redevelopment. Th current state of affairs is the original tenant passed away many years ago (1964) and his legal heirs also lived in the same property for sometime but all left by 1987 and since then it has been only me and my immediate family living here and paying the rent and any maintenance occured during this tenure. Since the legal heirs came to know about the building's redevelopment they are claiming to be the legal heirs and want to take the ownership on the property. Also these legal heirs are ready to do a division among all the family members (including me) once the property is redeveloped and sold. For this they have made a family settlement which is to be notarised and registered at the concerned office. But I am not comfortable with this settlement as there is a lack of trust between us.
I want to know, as a tenant for so long can I claim any ownership rights on the said property, if yes how can I execute the same. If not, can I do something to appeal for an amendment in the law because I find it very unfair if the legal heirs just come one day and try to claim a complete ownership on a rented property.
Any legal advice will be highly appreciated.
NOTE - All my, my mother's and brother's IDs (passport, DL, Aadhar, etc are registered on the said property address). And also since the past 20+ years the rent was also been paid through cheque issued from my mother's and brother's joint account. We also have the rent receipts for the same tenure.
Any more information/clarity required from me is welcomed.
Thanks & Regards,
Vishal
Asked 7 years ago in Property Law
Religion: Hindu