MCHI is registered under Maharashtra Societies Registration Act 1960. This ‘Code of Conduct’ is adopted by Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI) – a founder Member of CREDAI on the basis of Model Code of Conduct of Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI).
This Code of Conduct shall come into force with effect from September 13, 2011 for all projects commenced thereafter.

The code of conduct is effective from September 13 and will apply to all projects commenced thereafter MCHI's Code of Conduct was released on September 13, 2011, at the hands of Mr Subodh Kumar, Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and came into force with the effect the same day for all projects commenced thereafter.
The aim of this Code of Conduct for Developers, Promoters and Builders is to maintain the honour and dignity of Developers, Promoters and Builders in general, to secure a spirit of friendly co-operation between the Developers, Promoters and Builders and their customers in the promotion of highest standard of development and building activities and to establish transparency, and fair dealing between the Developers, Promoters and Builders with their customers; and to establish a spirit of brotherhood within the Chamber and to try and ensure that Developers, Promoters and Builders discharge their responsibilities to the community in general. (In the fairest manner)

TO ensure, the Members of MCHI (Developers, Promoters and Builders) maintain high honour and dignity in the profession/business

TO secure, a spirit of friendly co-operation amongst the Members, for the betterment of the industry

TO establish highest level of fair deal, transparency and safety of investments of the customers with MCHI Members

TO establish the spirit of brotherhood within the Chamber

TO enable the Members to discharge their responsibilities to the community, customer and the society in general

For the aforesaid objectives, MCHI desires to adopt the following norms of Conduct. (In the spirit of self governance/ regulation)

However, specific mention of the following norms of Conduct/Rules shall not be construed as conferring upon the members and/or the customers and/or the premise purchasers any legal right enabling them to enforce the same in a Court of Law or otherwise.

If any member is found to violate the code then such violation shall be referred to a Redresser committee of three Managing Committee Members constituted by Managing Committee. The Committee shall make recommendations on such violations and also suggest remedial action to be taken by such member. If the member does not implement the remedial action or measures suggested by the Committee, then the committee may recommend the suspension of membership of defaulting member.

The notice for the suspension from the membership shall be issued by the CEO/Secretary General/Authorized Personnel of MCHI. The concerned member shall within 30 days of the receipt of such notice, give in writing its ‘say’. The entire material leading to the suspension along with the ‘say’ of the defaulting member shall be put before the Managing Committee. The Managing Committee shall consider the material before it may accept or reject the suspension of the Member. If the suspension of the member is accepted by the Managing Committee, then in such event the member shall be suspended till he implements the remedial actions or measures suggested by the Committee.

MODIFICATION TO CODE OF CONDUCT:

(Any addition / deletion / modification to this code can be effected from time to time with the consent of the General Body. Such proposals shall be circulated 30 days prior to the General Body meeting.)

CODE OF CONDUCT:

TITLE

The title of the property under development shall have a true disclosure in the "Title Certificate" from a Solicitor / Advocate showing the rights and obligations of the Developer along with the Agreement of Sale.

INSPECTION OF SANCTIONS

All sanctions from the sanctioning authorities like approved plans and commencement certificate, N. A. permission, exemption order under U.L.C. Act (if required) etc., shall be made available for perusal of the purchaser at the time of signing the Agreement of Sale.

BOOKING OF PREMISES

The Developer shall at the time of booking / sale of flats / premises disclose all the requirements as required under MOFA.

AGREEMENT OF SALE

We hereby resolve under Code of Conduct to govern and bound by the conduct as set out below.

To be transparent (and to be recognised for being so) in all our dealings and documentation with our customers, and in this regard we commit ourselves to do the same mandatorily:

Disclose and declare all the components of the sale consideration; and in the event that any one of the components is to be based on actual to be determined at a future date, then it would be so disclosed and the current value of such component declared.

Disclose and declare whether or not escalation, in any of the components constituting the sale consideration is envisaged and if so, the basis on which such escalation is to be computed and the time frame within which the same would be applicable.

Disclose and declare whether any rights, residual or otherwise, are being retained in the property being developed and if so, the nature of such rights.
Disclose and declare the nature of the product warranty if any, and the period for which such warranty will be valid, and whether such warranty is being passed on/assigned on good from suppliers through us to our customers.
Disclose and declare the manner, timing and conditions under which delivery of each developed area and the project as whole would happen, and also the circumstances under which we may withhold delivery to our customers.
Disclose and provide a clear narrative of how the title of the property being developed has been delivered.

Disclose and declare whether any part of the common areas such as open car parking, garden or terrace areas etc. are specifically excluded from common enjoyment and in such an event mandatorily mention such exclusion in the agreements with all our customers, in the development.

Disclose and declare the schedule of payments by our customers, relating them to specific events like time and progressive construction. Disclose and declare the delays if any during the project for reasons beyond the Developer's control on a periodic basis and intimate the delay in possession if any well in advance.
Disclose and declare the circumstances, under which interest on delayed payments is collectable from our customers, rate at which interest would be charged and method of collection of such interest.

Disclose and declare the circumstances under which liquidated damages is payable to our customers, the basis of its computation, and the method of such payment.

Disclose and declare the Govt. Duties and taxes that are applicable to the transaction as applicable at the time of transaction or thereafter to provide maximum clarity and transparency.

The Developer shall disclose the Carpet Area of the premises in accordance with provision of MOFA.

Any area that is specific to the flat/ premises exclusively to be enjoyed by the premise owner will also be disclosed and whether chargeable separately.
The customers would be assured that the Building Laws would be complied with and would be guaranteed of assured protection from any possible adverse consequences of violation.

The Guarantee may be in the form of Completion Certificate and /or Occupation Certificate
Indemnity to keep our customers harmless of the consequences of any violation solely arising from any acts of commission or omission done attributable to us.

Conveyance of undivided shares: We would arrange for conveyance of lands to the common organization of flats/premises purchases within the period prescribed under the law.

Time frame for delivery: The time frame within which delivery could take place would be reckoned from the date of plan sanction/building permit, unless our customers and we mutually agree upon an alternative.

Conformity to zoning and non-violation of FSI: We would declare that we would maintain zoning conformity and FSI eligibility without any deviation, as per Laws in force. However, we may prior to making a particular project available to our customers for sale, obtain conversion of the zone.

Prohibition on adding undisclosed elements to the consideration: We agree that other than changes in the statutory levies, any component of the sales consideration not mentioned in the agreement under any head at the time of entering into the contract with our customers, is not bound to be payable by our customers.

REFUND OF MONEY

In case the completion of the building delayed beyond the period stipulated under the agreement for sale with the flat purchaser, the Developer shall return all the moneys, received by him from the flat purchaser, along with interest as specified in the agreement. Suitable refund condition or compensation shall be clearly mentioned in the agreement.

FORFEITURE
The Developer shall incorporate in the agreements, a clause to the effect, that in the event of non-payment of instalments or other components of sale price, the forfeiture shall be as per mutually agreed terms of agreement / contract but limited to 20% of the amount of consideration (both towards land and construction) however, subject to a notice before forfeiture with an opportunity to the purchaser to pay before the option of forfeiture is exercised. In addition any interest due shall be recoverable. The refund shall be payable within 7 days after resale of the account of the defaulter or to the extent of 20%, whichever is more.

POSSESSION
The Developer shall ensure timely completion, physical possession, as committed to buyer. It shall be builder's responsibility to obtain completion / occupation certificate.

The Developer shall incorporate in his agreements, a clause that the delivery / possession of the flat shall be given to the client against complete settlement of the entire consideration interalia with taxes, deposits and all other components of sale price/quotation.

ARBITRATION/MEDIATION
we shall provide for arbitration clause providing for arbitration arising of disputes out of agreement for sale, with prospective purchasers under Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1966. We shall also provide mediation by MCHI before arbitration is invoked.L

ABOUR WELFARE

Members are encouraged, at large sites (more than 4000 sq. mtrs) to have crèches and educational facilities for the children of the labour, along with other possible labour welfare activities, such as periodical medical check-ups, insurance, etc.

FORMATION OF A SOCIETY OR A BODY CORPORATE

The Developer shall take steps for registration of Co-operative Housing Society or any other body corporate as may be necessary as per law.

SOCIETY ACCOUNTS / OTHER DEPOSITS SUCH AS STAMP DUTIES

The Developer shall maintain separate account in respect of sums received by him from the flat from the flat purchasers as Advance or Deposit, sum received on account of the capital for promotion of a Co-operative Housing Society/Apartment Association or a Company or towards the out goings, legal charges, etc. and shall utilize the said amounts only for the purpose for which they have been received. Such accounts shall be given to the Society/Association/ Company not later than 3 months from handing over the charge of the building to such Society/Association/Company and/or within a period of 3 months from the date of final conveyance, whichever is later.

SOURCE COURTESY: Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI)

Link: http://www.mchi.net/codeConduct.html

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