Stern action against condominium developers for non-registeration of properties

COLOMBO: Many condominium developers have not registered the Condominium Properties with the Registrar General’s Department although five years had lapsed after the construction of the Apartment, states a media release by the Condominium Management Authority.

In a recent survey, the Condominium Management Authority has found that many developers have sold the condominium portion to the unit owners only on sale agreements.

It has now been found that many of them had not even registered these units with the Registrar General’s Department which is a statutory requirement.

In many instances, the Developers have not issued the deeds to the unit owners. The unit owners undergo untold hardship on account of this serious lapse on the part of a handful of these developers, said M. M. Abul Kalam, Attorney-at-law, Chairman of the Condominium Management Authority.

He said inquiries have commenced with regard to more than 10 Condominium Developers who have so far failed and neglected to register their condominiums with the Registrar General’s Department.

According to Apartment Ownership (Amendment) Act of 2003, the unit owners who had not obtained their deeds after the sale can complain to the Condominium Management Authority.

Furthermore, the condominium properties should be registered within 18 months of the sale and also within three months of construction.

The Condominium Management Authority issues a stern warning that those who violate the Law can be produced before a magistrate and if found guilty, the developer will have to pay a fine of Rs. 50,000 and in addition Rs. 1,000 per day from the day of conviction.

The Condominium Management Authority has decided to take appropriate action soon after the inquiries are concluded by the Legal Department of the CMA, Kalam said.