It’s a win-win situation for both parties as JDAs allow developers to access prime locations without huge upfront costs
Bengaluru: Real estate developers are increasingly turning to joint development agreements (JDAs) with landowners, a strategic shift which is being seen as a win-win for both parties amid
surging land prices. JDAs allow developers to access prime locations without huge upfront costs and landowners to monetise their land without losing ownership rights, said a report by Bengaluru-based real estate research firm Meraqi.
According to the report, titled ‘Our Landowner’s Guide’, an estimated 70% of real estate assets across residential and commercial segments in Bengaluru have been developed thro- ugh JDAs,
It said land prices in Bengaluru, along with India’s other top real estate markets of Mumbai, National Capital Region (NCR), Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Hyderabad, have appreciated sharply in the past three years. In Bengaluru, land prices have in- creased 40-60% in the past one year alone, as per the report.
“Joint development agreements are pivotal to the growth of the real estate sector in India. As Bengaluru continues to be a focal point for real estate developments, this guide is poised to become essential for top global business executives navigating strategic land monetisation,” said Gorakh Jhunjhunwala, managing director, Meraqi.
The development is primarily driven by IT companies and star- tups as well as rapid infrastructure development leading to robust growth opportunities for real estate firms.
“Before 2021, outright sale transactions were favoured for land monetisation. Bengaluru landowners prefer JDAs for residential and commercial projects owing to optimistic market and economic sentiments. JDA transactions are likely to yield two to 2.5 times higher re- turns than an outright transaction,” said Dhara Shah, head of Land Services & Research, Meraqi. Sunil Pareek executive director, Assetz Group, said: “Instead of trying to bridge the buy-sell gaps, in JDA, landowners benefit from enhanced returns tied to sales price growth, while developers can optimise capital costs by sharing upsides with landowners.”
The real estate sector witnessed major policy changes between 2015 and 2020 on the regulatory front with the setting up of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority and introduction of the goods and services tax regime. During this phase, a few landowners struggled in JDA partnerships due lack of clarity on the new regime and lack of comprehensive under- standing of tax, legal aspects and regulations.
Residential real estate has seen high growth in the past two years, with builders looking at expanding their portfolio amid rapid reduction of inventory overhang or the time taken to sell the ready properties.
Source- The Economic Times
