Friday, October 31, 2008

Loan defaulters rights

What a change of headlines in the Economic times. From buy before you get priced out, to "How do you pay the loan on the property you thought was going to double ?" . Ofcourse the black money operators don't have to worry ;)

Defaulted on home loan? Be aware of your rights

MUMBAI: Almost every home loan borrower has this niggling fear: What if I default? Higher interest rates could hit those with floating rate home loans, triggering a rise in defaults.

A loan, which could be comfortably serviced at an 8% floating interest rate could cause substantial discomfort after the rates rise to around 12%.

For some, it could even lead to a problem in repayment. This scary scenario isn’t all that rare. According to rating agency Crisil’s forecast, the share of bad loans is likely to swell to 4% of banks’ total loans in the next two years.

In case of a default, it is best to approach the lender for an amicable settlement. If all the efforts undertaken for repayment fail, the lender is likely to take over and sell the mortgaged property.

No doubt, it is very painful to let go of your prized possession, which you may have acquired with your lifetime’s savings. However, in such circumstances, borrowers need to keep an eye on their rights, which provide adequate opportunity to repay.

As regulated entities, there are certain limits that banks cannot cross. For instance, RBI guidelines do not allow a lender to repossess without proper notice.

The central bank also has norms that are taken into consideration under specific circumstances. There is a well-laid out procedure for taking possession of the security, provisions regarding a final chance to repay and a procedure for sale. These are in addition to the strict guidelines for recovery agents.

Usually, banks invoke the provisions of Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interests (Sarfaesi) Act for a quick recovery. This involves a 60-day notice period. But the Act states that such a notice cannot be issued until the borrower’s account is classified as a non-performing asset; that is, when it is 90 days overdue.

“If the borrower fails to repay even after the notice period, the bank can go ahead with the sale. However, in order to sell, the bank has to serve another 30-day notice mentioning the sale,” Abhay Debt Counselling Centre debt counselling head VN Kulkarni said.

Further, if your mortgaged home has to be sold, the bank has to publish a notice regarding the same in two leading newspapers specifying the reserve price. The sale has to be a private treaty sale, based on conditions mutually agreed upon by the bank and the borrower.

“If you feel the property is undervalued, you can raise an objection. However, in case the auction is done through the court, an independent valuer is appointed for carrying out the valuation,” said Poorvi Chothani, proprietor of law firm LawQuest. “You can even sell your own house in order to repay the loan.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The rights are there on paper. The banks outsource the loan recovery to shady organisations and these guys are not pleasant to deal with. They indulge in character assassination, harass women and children, intimidate through criminal elements and there is nothing one could do, not even approach the police. Those who have loans should be aware of this and should have a contingency plan. For the Apartment owners whose mortgage is more than the current market value, the best option is to let the bank takeover the apartment, forget about the loss sustained so far and carry on with their life. The more they wait, the harder the situation is going to be and land in a ditch from which getting out be extremely painful.

The world doesn't care for losers, so don't be a one. Salvage whatever you can and don't look back and regret.

Anonymous said...

No rights for borrower. Pay back the money or lose the house. Period.

Anonymous said...

Banks can use MR to vacate the defaulting owners...

Abdulla will the banks sell the house at a premium (offcourse to people with black money for whom crores is a pocket money) :-)

Darren Demers said...

“If the borrower fails to repay even after the notice period, the bank can go ahead with the sale. However, in order to sell, the bank has to serve another 30-day notice mentioning the sale,” Abhay Debt Counselling Centre debt counselling head VN Kulkarni said. velvet bed sheets , luxury comforter sets , gul ahmed comforter , dulhan set bed sheet , bedspreads online , soft cotton mattress , best blankets , razai set online , quilted sofa cover , lawn suits online