I bought a flat of 943sqft super-built-up area on Pretoria Street in September 2004. At the time of purchase, the flat was registered as a commercial property and its owner was paying tax at the commercial rate — about Rs 9,200 per quarter.

I later applied to convert the flat into a residential property. All other flats in the building are residential and I have been using mine for residential purpose.

The CMC has now sent tax notices of Rs 6,400 a quarter. But my neighbour is paying Rs 1,500 for a flat of 1,500sqft. I can’t get the mutation done till this discrepancy is sorted out.

What should be my actual tax? How can I get the mutation done?

R. Khanna

You have to contact the local CMC assessor to find out the tax. You may submit a review petition to him with a copy to the chief manager, revenue.

Since your neighbour is paying far less, it is likely that the tax would come down.

I am buying a ground-floor flat that was initially sanctioned as parking space. The promoter later revised the plan and got it approved by the CMC.

Should I buy this flat? Would I face any problem selling it as a residential apartment in the future?

Who is supposed to retain the original copies of the sanctioned plan after registration?

Sankar Ghosh

You can go ahead only if your lawyer is convinced that the corporation has approved the revised plan and the flat has been built according to it. In that case, there should not be any problem selling it later.

The building association can keep the original copy of the plan.

I have been living in a three-room rented flat with a balcony for 40 years. The landlord now wants to sell the house to a dealer, who wants to build an apartment.

How much can I claim as compensation? The area, though in the suburbs, has all facilities.

Should I ask the promoter to give us a flat in the same apartment free of cost?

You cannot seek any compensation. There is no law that makes it obligatory for the builder to compensate you. You have to leave the flat.

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Sambit Saha, Business Telegraph, ABP Ltd,6, Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta —700001