Section 17: Transfer of title

Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 2016

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 17

Section 17 obligates the promoter to execute a registered conveyance deed transferring title to the allottee for their apartment, and transferring title of common areas to the association of allottees within three months of the occupancy certificate.

  • Conveyance of Apartment: Promoter must execute a registered conveyance deed in favor of the allottee for the apartment/plot within the statutorily prescribed period.
  • Conveyance of Common Areas: Mandatory duty to convey legal title of common areas to the Association of Allottees within 3 months from the date of issuance of the Occupancy Certificate (OC).
  • Physical Handover of Documents: Promoter must hand over physical possession of common areas, original sanctioned plans, occupancy certificates, and title documents within 30 days after obtaining the OC.
  • Stamp Duty & Registration Charges: Costs of conveyance are borne by allottees in accordance with statutory rules, but execution cannot be delayed by the promoter.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Wg. Cdr. Arifur Rahman Khan v. DLF Southern Homes Pvt. Ltd., (2020) 16 SCC 512: The Supreme Court ruled that failure to convey title and hand over common areas within statutory timelines deprives homebuyers of essential property rights and constitutes gross deficiency in service.
  • Zainul Abedin v. Jaypee Infratech Ltd., 2021 SCC OnLine RERA 45: Held that a developer cannot retain ownership or commercial rights over common areas, basements, or terrace spaces post-issuance of OC, and must execute conveyance in favor of the RWA under Section 17.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

If a promoter delays executing the conveyance deed of common areas beyond 3 months of OC, the Association of Allottees should file a petition under Section 31 read with Section 17 seeking an order of deemed conveyance.