SEBI proposes to liberalise norms for REITs & InvITs

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By Simran Jalan (simran@vinodkothari.com)

Introduction

Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) is an innovative vehicle that allows investors to invest in infrastructure assets. It was established with an objective of easing out the liquidity crunch in the infrastructure space. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) has been one of the most important vehicles for making collective investments in commercial real estate. Emanating in the USA in 1960s as a tax transparent collective investment vehicle, REITs subsequently have been used by several other countries, and have done remarkably well.

The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had notified the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014[1] (InvITs Regulations) and SEBI (Real Estate Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014[2] (REITs Regulations) on September 26, 2014. With the introduction of these regulations and fast-growing cities needing more investments in commercial properties and infrastructures, it was expected that there will be a surge in these collective investment vehicles in India. However, the current scenario depicts a different story. Till date, only 3 InvITs have issued and listed their units raising approximately Rs. 10,000 crores and 1 REIT is in the process of making a public offer. Despite various relaxations given by the market regulator to these investment vehicles, they failed to attract investors.

Therefore, to gear up the market for REITs and InvITs and to increase the participants in this sector, SEBI has issued a consultation paper[3] with a proposal to amend regulations pertaining to REITs and InvITs. In this write up we intend to discuss the amendments proposed by SEBI.

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Property Share Business Models in India

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By Vishes Kothari (vishes@vinodkothri.com)

Real estate suffers from the paradox of being a much sought after mode of investment which is at the same time illiquid, has high investment threshold and is difficult to adminster and manage. However technology can provide newer and more efficient ways of investing smaller amounts into co-ownership of property.

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Integration of Financial Markets and Capital Markets

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Fresh set of conditions for strategic investments in REITs and InvITs

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By Saloni Mathur , (finserv@vinodkothari.com)

The SEBI vide its circular dated 18th January 2018[1](‘Circular’) issued guidelines on participation by the strategic investors in InVIT’s and REIT’s. These guidelines have been issued in pursuance to the powers conferred on SEBI as per the provisions of the section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992(‘SEBI Act’) read with regulation 33 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Real Estate Investment trusts) and (Infrastructure Investment trusts) regulations, 2014.[2]

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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AMENDMENTS TO INVIT’S AND REIT’S REGULATIONS, 2017

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By Saloni Mathur & Kirti Sharma , (finserv@vinodkothari.com)

The SEBI in its Board Meeting on 18th September, 2017[1] approved several changes to the regulations issued for REITs.

The recent amendments by way of Securities and Exchange board of India (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) (Amendment) Regulations, 2017[2] and the Securities and Exchange board of India (Real Estate Investment Trusts) (Amendment) Regulations, 2017[3] has brought about several changes in the existing regulations, which are the necessary incorporations to the changes that were proposed in the board meeting held on September 18th, 2017. SEBI in its Board Meeting made certain amendments to the SEBI (infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014 and SEBI (Real Estate Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014 (referred to as ‘REIT Regulations’).

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SEBI Board approves amendments to REIT Regulations

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By Shreya Routh, (finserv@vinodkothari.com)

Introduction

The SEBI in its Board Meeting on 18th September, 2017[1]approved several changes to the regulations issued for REITs. Before we start discussing the changes approved, let us quickly recap the way in which a REIT operates. REIT is a form of alternative investment vehicle. The working mechanism of a REIT involves purchase of commercial properties and then providing them on rent to tenants. The funding is done through issuance of units to public which are tradable on stock exchanges. The main advantage of a REIT structure is grounded on the tax exemptions that it receives.

Since, REITs mechanism observed a complete downfall and the fact that till date no REIT has been listed with SEBI, the proposed amendments come as a saviour intending to gear up the market for REITs. Read more →

SEBI allows Category III AIFs to invest in commodities market

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By Somesh Lund (finserv@vinodkothari.com)

Genesis of Category III AIFs

Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs) are privately pooled investment funds, incorporated in India, in the form of a trust, company, LLP or body corporate not covered under any other regulations prescribed by SEBI. These funds are governed by Securities and Exchange Board of India (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012[1].

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