Banks fail to find buyers for attached properties

The number of attached immovable properties is growing fast but banks are finding difficulty to find buyers for these properties. The attached properties are the one whose owners fail to pay the dues/EMIs therefore banks attach such properties from time to time.

According to bank sources every year in Delhi and NCR region more than 125 properties are attached. It is believed this figure might increase as the world is facing a massive market downturn.

Earlier three months ago outside a big kothi in West Patel Nagar a small board used to hang on the gate inviting attention of almost all the passers-by. On the board in bold letters following slogan was written, "This property is attached by the ... bank. Trespassers will be prosecuted."

With the introduction of the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act) banks have got plenty of powers to take physical possession of properties that are financed by them. In case the borrowers become regular offenders and do not pay EMIs to the bank, along with interest for six months in a row, then banks act speedily.

In case the borrower continues to be the defaulter bank serves a show cause notice to pay the money within 30 days. Sunder Khatri, legal expert on property matters said if the borrower doesn’t act within next 15 days, the bank seals the property. Khatri told after the fixed time banks inform the police station that a particular owner of the property has failed to pay the loan amount to the bank, therefore they will seal his property.

A senior official of SBI told that when bank officials seal any property, they make sure that the local police officials are also present there. Although due to courtesy of securitization acts, banks are able to attach properties in certain circumstances, but the problem starts when banks try to dispose of the property in order to recover their money with interest.

According to VK Suri, an expert on banking affairs as banks have to sell the attached properties and the payment is to done in white money, more often than not, buyers evade buying such properties. More over banks accept payment only through a cheque, thus the new buyer has to pay a huge stamp duty. This creates a big difficulty for the new buyer.

Sunil Jindal, director of SVP group, says that in our country there is no controller for the realty sector so the issue of black money in this business cannot be settled and solved. Jindal added that though everybody knows that black money has a significant role in realty business, till date the government has not taken any corrective measures. In case the government takes some steps to settle the issue of black money, banks will start getting buyers for the attached properties.

A banker acknowledged due to the white money payment provision, people do not take interest in buying attached properties. Suri said therefore banks are left with very few options to deal with this situation, he added, "Attached properties only add to their growing list of non-performing assets."

Therefore, public sector companies buy the attached properties. As the companies prefer to make payments through cheques thus, they buy these properties. But generally banks fail to find any other buyer for attached properties.