Even as registration of real estate agents is mandatory under Real Estate Regulation Act (Rera), majority of the city-based agents have not come forward to get them registered. At present, there are around 400 property consultants operating in the city, of which only around 10 have applied for registration. July 31 was the last date for registration.
As per the act, to safeguard interests of consumers, registration of property consultants is mandatory and they cannot facilitate sale or purchase any plot, apartment or building without obtaining registration. In Punjab and Haryana, registration for real estate agents is already mandatory.
In past, there have been many cases of residents being taken on ride by the property agents. Under the Act, the property agents are accountable for their business activities and practices and are liable for punishable if they do not comply with the laid down norms.
The property consultants have not come forward despite Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) launching a website for registration under Rera. For benefit of city residents, the CHB recently launched a website — rera.chbonline.in — for registrations of real estate projects and agents of Chandigarh.
Kamaljit Singh Panchi, adviser, Chandigarh Property Consultants Association, said property consultants have a few queries and will get themselves registered after getting clarification from the administration. While supporting Rera, Panchi said they are in favour of registration of property dealers as it will help in eradicating agents who indulge in malpractices.
With Lt Governor of Delhi approving Real Estate Regulatory Authority and Real Estate Appellate Authority for Delhi and Chandigarh, city residents will soon be able to lodge complaints against realtors. On request of the UT administration, the ministry of urban development had clubbed real estate authority of Chandigarh with Delhi with the mandate of protecting transparency and consumer interest in the sale of plots, flats, and buildings. The Delhi government has sent a request to Delhi high court for appointment of members.
At present, residents of the city are not clear about how the authority will function for redressal of their grievances. Last year, the administration had made UT housing secretary temporary head of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
