This update includes a brief synopsis of an important
Bombay High Court Order signed on March 1, 2023, with respect to
stamp duty on Permanent Alternate Accommodation Agreements to be
executed with society members in relation to redevelopment of
societies in Maharashtra.
A society opting for redevelopment can enter into a Development
Agreement or a Redevelopment Agreement
("DA") either with the developer alone,
or with both the developer and individual society members in
certain cases. There are many instances in which the society
executes the DA with the developer without individual society
members. The society therefore acts on behalf of individual
members.
Under the DA, new homes/units are provided to the existing
society members in lieu of their earlier accommodation and the
additional area constructed by the developer, known as free-sale
units, can be sold by the him in the open market. The DA is
required to be stamped under the Maharashtra Stamp Act
("Act")