The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released guidelines for banks regarding the release of documents concerning movable and immovable property upon full loan repayment by customers. These guidelines aim to address divergent practices among banks, which have often resulted in customer grievances and disputes.
These directions shall be applicable to all cases where release of original movable or immovable property documents falls due on or after December 1, 2023.
To address such issues and to ensure responsible lending conduct among banks, the RBI in a slew of measures suggested that they shall release all the original movable or immovable property documents and remove charges registered with any registry within a period of 30 days after full repayment or settlement of the loan account.
The borrower shall be given the option of collecting the original movable or immovable property documents either from the banking outlet or branch where the loan account was serviced or any other office of the bank where the documents are available, as per her or his preference.
The timeline and place of return of original movable or immovable property documents will be mentioned in the loan sanction letters issued on or after the effective date.
In order to address the contingent event of demise of the sole borrower or joint borrowers, the banks shall have a well laid out procedure for return of original movable or immovable property documents to the legal heirs.
Such procedure shall be displayed on the website of the banks along with other similar policies and procedures for customer information. Also compensation for delay in release of movable or immovable property documents.
In case of delay in releasing of original movable or immovable property documents or failing to file charge satisfaction form with relevant registry beyond 30 days after full repayment or settlement of loan, the RE shall communicate to the borrower reasons for such delay.
In case where the delay is attributable to the bank, it shall compensate the borrower at the rate of Rs 5,000 for each day of delay.
In case of loss or damage to original movable or immovable property documents, either in part or in full, the banks shall assist the borrower in obtaining duplicate/certified copies of the movable or immovable property documents and shall bear the associated costs, in addition to paying compensation as indicated above.
However, in such cases, an additional time of 30 days will be available to the banks to complete this procedure and the delayed period penalty will be calculated thereafter (i.e., after a total period of 60 days). Also, the compensation provided under these directions shall be without prejudice to the rights of a borrower to get any other compensation as per any applicable law, the RBI said.
(With IANS inputs)
