Snapshots from Darling Harbour, Sydney

2014 has been a year of constant travel and lots of work, professional tie-ups and networking. October-November has been all about traveling. 

A trip with family to Sydney kept us busy.In Sydney, one of our favorite hang-out spots was Darling Harbour.

Here are some snapshots taken by my son Jyotiraditya who had the camera strapped to him most of the time.

                         

If you liked seeing these pics, do drop a line. That would brighten up an eight year old's interest in photography!

Smart Tips for Smart Buyers: Don't let your Real Estate Developer or Builder trick you

We all look forward to getting our own homes but waiting endlessly for it is a real pain. In cities like Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida, home buyers have been waiting for more than five years to get their flats delivered! So, what are our rights, as home buyers?  Take a look.

Tips for Home Buyers: What to check before you book your new flat

1. Has your builder got all required permissions from the local authority? 

2. Can the builder share with you a copy of the Commencement Certificate? 

3. Have a host of other approvals that fall under the category of Intimation of Disapproval (IOD) been complied with?

4. Get an expert's opinion on the quality of construction and interact with other residents. 

5. Put in your request for any modifications in writing and explain your valid reasons for doing so. Keep your tone friendly and neutral. Your point is to get the home of your dreams, not to lock horns with the builder who is working on it.

6.  By law, you are entitled to get a free parking space but make sure you confirm this before booking your flat.

Tips for Home Buyers: What to incorporate in the Buyer-Builder Agreement

1. Incorporate a clause relating to compensation for delay in delivery. If the builder delays, you still have a water tight contract that safeguards your interests. Send your builder prompt gentle reminders of the delay and keep copies of your communication with you. The point is, if you ever have to take the matter to court, you can prove that you were not a dormant stake holder. 

2. Ask if your builder can offer maintenance-free period and state the duration of such period. If yes, the key members who form the housing society, should ask in writing for the builder to deposit the money in advance to cover the maintenance charges for the said free period.  

3. With technology at your finger tips, make collaboration the focal point of your communication. You can start a Google group to keep filing the latest updates and to get information from everyone else too. It's a great way to socialize with your 'would-be neighbors' but don't go overboard with sharing personal or financial information. 

Keep this tip in mind: The best way to safeguard your interests as a home buyer is to incorporate maximum clarity and transparency in your agreement with the builder, with each party's roles, duties and responsibilities clearly explained. 

Send your feedback & queries to sanram77@gmail.com. You can also follow Sanand on Twitter and ask your legal queries on Sanand Ramakrishnan's GooglePlus page.

Do What Makes You Happy

2014 began on a hectic pace for me and the year seems to have simply flown and we are already in mid-June. We at Axess Legal Corp welcome the change of government at the Centre. 

There is renewed vigor across sectors and particularly, a positive buzz among lawyers. There is scope for tremendous improvement in India's taxation laws. Amendments are likely to take place in several areas of law, such as taxation, land acquisition, judicial appointments and accountability and the Electricity Act, just to name a few.

You are justified in thinking, "What's the point of changing laws?" 

Changing laws corresponds to changing times and needs. Some of the areas mentioned above urgently require revitalization that can only come through legislation.

The ordinary man, companies that look to invest in India, start ups and other entities stand to benefit from the proposed changes. The debate and the details are being worked out but everything is happening quickly and decisively. 

This is the change we want to see in the country, besides opportunities for job creation, more investments and a tax friendly regime.

So, what has the first phase of 2014 brought you? How happy are you - that is the relevant question.

Leaving you with a happiness quote that I believe in. Do write in.