• UDS Registered Building Contract Signed but Customer not paying

Hi Team, 

My dad is a small apartment promotor. He purchased a land under my mothers name and planned to build and sell 8 1BHK apartments. 
One customer Mrs A agree to buy one unit. 
So my dad collect the land portion of the money and registered the UDS . 
Mrs A gifted the land to her Son Mr B 
My dad ( builder ) entered into an Building agreement with Mr B. 
Building was completed 3 year back but Mr B is refusing to pay the balance and take possession of the apartment. As they were distant relatives my dad was patient with the payment and did not issue any formal notice to Mr B to pay. My dad had to put his own money and complete the building as he had to handover to other buyers. 
What options does the builder have in this matter. 
Builder is unable to rent the property as its not on his name . But the apartment is under his possession. 
Mr B can not take possession as he has not paid the building contract 
How to cancel the UDS ? is this even possible. due to the fact they did not pay and go ahead with the building contract. 
Thank you in advance for your advice 
Regards 
Prabhu
Asked 4 years ago in Property Law
Religion: Hindu

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18 Answers

Your father should issue B legal notice to pay balance amount 

 

2) if he refuses file suit to direct B to pay balance amount with interest as per terms of building agreement 

 

3) your father cannot cancel agreement unilaterally 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99775 Answers
8145 Consultations

I advised you to sue B to recover amount payable as per building agreement signed by the parties and not cancel the contract 

 

B is owner of land bought by his mother 

 

you can offer to buy back portion of land owned by B 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99775 Answers
8145 Consultations

Your father cannot rent the apartment 

 

it is necessary to peruse building contract agreement to advice 

 

litigation is long drawn and expensive proposition 

 

amicable settlement is best option 

 

offer to buy back the land sold to A and subsequently gifted to B 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99775 Answers
8145 Consultations

If the landowner breached the construction agreement  and is not ready to comply with the conditions then the builder/promoter can issue a legal notice demanding the owner to pay the balance amount and take possession within a stipulated time mentioned in the notice.

If the owner is not complying with the demands made or not responding then a suit for recovery of the amount along with interest can be instituted against the landowner

If A had transferred the land by gift to B, then B is the owner of the land therefore you cannot take possession of the land already sold to A, you can claim only the amount you have incurred for constructing the building as per construction agreement.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89977 Answers
2492 Consultations

Since the building has already been constructed as per the construction agreement, the contract cannot be cancelled at this stage, you can only claim recovery of the amount towards the construction expenses incurred by you along with the interest to that extent, failing which you can seek attachment of the property. 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89977 Answers
2492 Consultations

Since it can be termed as just a construction contractual agreement, your father cannot take any action beyond the conditions stipulated in the agreement.

Since the landowner  did not make any demand towards the interest for delay in construction, the construction contractor need not think about that aspect while filing the suit for recovery.

Let the landowner claim that money which should be challenged based on the documentary evidences in your possession.

Your father cannot rent out the premises which do not belong to him. 

 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89977 Answers
2492 Consultations

1. Money for the land portion has been collected by your father and the UDS has been registered.

 

2. Now, your father has entered in to an agreement with Mr.B for developing the land (constructing building thereupon) on certain terms.

 

3. The said development/building agreement is required to be perused and the terms and conditions are required to be checked for suggesting you properly.

 

4. If it is mentioned any where that the developer can sell it off or at least let it out to recover the dues in case the owner of the land refuses to pay it, then your father can act accordingly.

Krishna Kishore Ganguly
Advocate, Kolkata
27703 Answers
726 Consultations

1. The UDS has already been registered and the ownership of the land has already been transferred in favour of Mrs. B.

 

2. Your father's concern now will be on the building only which has been constructed on the land owned by Mr.B and receipt of the payment  as per the building agreement for constructing the said building.

Krishna Kishore Ganguly
Advocate, Kolkata
27703 Answers
726 Consultations

1. Your main question is 'who will be the owner of the building constructed by your father if the owner of the land does not pay for the construction as ber the agreement?'.

 

2. Your father shall have to file a Recovery Suit from Mr.B for not paying the amount as per the agreement and pray for an order to sell the property to a third party in case Mr. B fails or refuses to make the payment within a period as stipulated by the Court.

Krishna Kishore Ganguly
Advocate, Kolkata
27703 Answers
726 Consultations

Dear Sir

You cannot unilaterally cancel the UDS.

Send a legal notice to Mr B directing him to pay the remaining amount.

If he refuses to pay even after the legal notice, you can initiate recovery proceedings before the court.

If you do not wish to put in many years for a court case, you can alternatively settle the matter outside court through mediation.

Thank you

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
11014 Answers
125 Consultations

B cannot take possession of apartment without paying and registering agreement in his name 

 

2) as on date B is not owner of apartment 

 

3) B can enter the building 

 

4) no case is maintainable by B as he has failed to pay apartment costs 

 

5) sue B to recover construction costs 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99775 Answers
8145 Consultations

File suit to direct B to pay balance amount 

 

seek injunction restraining B from entering the apartment 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99775 Answers
8145 Consultations

1. The builder can file a suit for recovery of the construction cost along with an application seeking attachment of the property before judgment for the purpose of security. 

2. The builder cannot rent it out because that will become fatal to his case stating it as an illegal activity. 

3. It is his property hence he can. 

4. B owns it.

5. B is the owner. 

6. No. The agreement is a proof.

7. You have no option than to approach court for remedy and relief. 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89977 Answers
2492 Consultations

B has become the owner of the constructed apartment. 

Just because he has defaulted the payment for construction,  he cannot be denied entry into the flat. 

 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89977 Answers
2492 Consultations

Dear Sir,

A suit can be instituted by the builder for recovery of construction costs and also file for attachment of the property.

You can seek an injunction against B from entering into the building

 

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
11014 Answers
125 Consultations

1. & 2. The builder shall have to file the Recovery Suit claiming the amount invested in the construction which has not yet been paid by Mr.B, with interest, damage and cost.

 

3. Unless the possession of the apartment is given by the builder, Mr. B can not forcibly take its physical possession.

 

4.  Ordinarily, the owner of the land is the owner of the building constructed thereupon. However, at the present stage, the development agreement plays a great role to hold the possession of the building by the developer.

 

5. Your mother shall have to obtain a stay order under order 39 rule 1 & 2 of CPC, restraining Mr.B to enter in to the building till the Recovery  Suit is disposed of.

 

6. Such case will have no merit since there is a construction agreement signed by him.

 

7. You have a very good chance to win the case.

Krishna Kishore Ganguly
Advocate, Kolkata
27703 Answers
726 Consultations

1.Ordinarily Mr.B is the owner of the building which has been constructed upon his land.

 

2. Your  shall have to file the Recovery Suit and also an application under order 39 rule 1 & 2 of CPC praying for an order  restraining Mr.B to enter in to the building till the Recovery  suit is disposed of. .

Krishna Kishore Ganguly
Advocate, Kolkata
27703 Answers
726 Consultations

You can go for suit of specific performance against B and recover your amount. You can also cancel the UDS unilaterally and sell the same to another buyer if required. 

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
34514 Answers
249 Consultations

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