DLF to offer only completed flats; to remove delivery uncertainty

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

As part of its new business model, will sell apartments only when it gets occupancy certificate after completing the project so as to remove any regarding costs and delivery timelines, a of the realty said.

Lakhs of are stuck in various projects of developers such as Jaypee group, Amrapali, and The

Highlighting the company's new business model, DLF's said the company would sell only from now onwards.

"Customers are now averse to taking risk and they prefer to buy ready-to-move-in apartments," he added.

Chawla said will apply for occupancy certificates once the structure of the building is complete along with other infrastructure.

The additional cost on increased working capital requirement would be marginal, he added.

currently has completed inventory worth about Rs 13,500 crore, which would be sold over the next 5-6 years. The company would continue to build fresh inventory of completed product.

DLF, along with its partner GIC, has started construction on the first phase of its 7 million sq ft housing projects in central

"We will open sale in this project after structure is complete and we get occupancy certificate," Chawla said.

In a presentation, DLF observed that "Incidentally, both RERA (new real estate law) and Ind AS 115 (new accounting standard) support evolution of this business model".

From taxation point of view, there is no GST on completed units while the effective GST rate is 12 per cent for under-construction flats.

As part of new business model, DLF would sell to

The commercial properties would be sold either to (B2C) or to (DCCDL) -- JV firm with global investment firm -- as investment properties (B2B). It might hold commercial properties to earn lease rentals.

DLF would also strive to be debt free in development (residential) business over the near term. Net debt at the end of quarter stood at Rs 7,120 crore.

For debt reduction, Chawla said the company could launch qualified institutional placement (QIP) this fiscal while promoters would infuse an additional Rs 2,250 crore by March 2019.

"Implement a business model where 50 per cent of free cash is targeted to be reinvested in projects with returns in the range of about 20 per cent plus on development costs and balance 50 per cent of free cash to build up cash reserves for potential special dividend payouts, share buybacks, acquisitions etc," the presentation said.

Last week, DLF reported a 56 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit at Rs 172.77 crore for the first quarter of this fiscal. Its net profit stood at Rs 110.70 crore in the year-ago period.

Total income, however, declined to Rs 1,657.67 crore during April-June this fiscal from Rs 2,211.24 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sun, August 12 2018. 14:30 IST