Major Repair Work Charges on Garages charged separately Major Repair Work Charges on Garages charged separately

3 years ago

Hi,
My mother is a member of the society and owns 1 flat and 2 closed garages which she bought directly from the builder in Mumbai. My mother has paid maintenance charges for the flat on sq.ft. basis and for the garages Rs.200-300 on monthly basis. The Society's building recently went into repair and all the members were charged per sq.ft. as resolved in the SGM which we paid in full. When there was shortage of funds the committee called an another SGM to charge only garage owners another per sq.ft of the garages for the repair work that was conducted on the garage. When enquired the Society stated that it was an error on their part and did not charge for the garage which is also a part of the member's property. Since the garage owners were in minority the resolution got passed. The only repair work that was conducted in the said garages were of support beams and the foundation. The Garages are in the ground level of the building. We even requested the copies of bye laws adopted by the society, the quotation of the repair work, statement of accounts of the society, and all necessary papers from the society but they refused to do so stating confidentiality.

Queries:
1. Can the society charge only garage owners extra for the repair work conducted? If yes please let me know the under which bye law of the model bye law of Maharashtra Cooperative Society or judgement it is allowed. If not then the byelay or judgement. Since they are not ready to provide us with the copy of the bye law we have to rely on the model bye law.
2. Is Garage a part of the property as stated by the Society?
3. Can the Society charge members per sq.ft. as maintenance for garage in the future? Or charge closed garage and open garages on separate rates?
4. Can the Society deny the right of the member to inspect or to get the photocopy of the documents of the Society? What recourse does my mother have against it?

Ayantika Mondal @ Prime Legal

Responded 3 years ago

A.Hi,
1. This depends on the terms on which the Society was formed, you shall have to look into their Memorandum and Articles of Association.
2. Yes, the garage would be part of the property, if specific plots were given to specific owners.
3. This depends on the terms of the society.
4. No, they cannot deny the right to inspection by a member. Your mother can serve them with legal notice and then file a complaint with the police for cheating and fraud under Sections 415 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code.
Helpful
Helpful
Share

Post Your Matter Post Your Matter

Talk to a Lawyer Talk to a Lawyer

Ask a question Ask a question

Vidhi Samaadhaan Vidhi Samaadhaan

Anik

Responded 3 years ago

View All Answers
A.Hi,
1. This depends on the terms on which the Society was formed, you shall have to look into their Memorandum and Articles of Association.
2. Yes, the garage would be part of the property, if specific plots were given to specific owners.
3. This depends on the terms of the society.
4. No, they cannot deny the right to inspection by a member. Your mother can serve them with legal notice and then file a complaint with the police for cheating and fraud under Sections 415 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code.
Helpful
Helpful
Share

Post Your Matter Post Your Matter

Talk to a Lawyer Talk to a Lawyer

Ask a question Ask a question

Vidhi Samaadhaan Vidhi Samaadhaan

Read Related Answers

question iconFlat Purchase
Dear Client, In addition to the above, you need to obtain the following documents: Mother Deed Building Approval Plan Sanctioned Plan Copy Water & Sewage, Pollution, Electricity Approvals Commencement...
question iconRegarding undivided property
Dear Client, According to the Hindu Law of Inheritance, the paternal property that is undivided for at least four generations qualifies as an ancestral property and the coparceners have an equal share...
question iconProperty - Our share of property
Dear Client, A property when left by the deceased owner intestate i.e, without any will, is devolved upon the surviving legal heirs in equal share following the law of inheritance/succession. In ca...
question iconConfiscated phone
Dear Client, If a school is generally follows the CBSC rules strictly in all aspects then it might not be possible to recover your device back. Talk to the management authority and write a handwritten...
question iconMy mother and my wife needs safety for a PLOT
Dear Client, Your mother can transfer the property to you by executing a gift deed in your favor. In that way, there will be no apprehension of losing the title over the property or anyone else claimi...