Housing consumers face many problems even with well-known builders like Godrej Properties
- Posted by CERC India
- Posted in Press Releases
Press Release
17 December 2021
A lot of issues are being faced by consumers in the housing sector. These include non-allotment of the property despite full payment, non-refund of money on cancellation of booking, non-reversal of arbitrary maintenance charges levied before possession, and non-delivery of amenities promised in the booking documents among others.
Residents of the Orchard cluster in Godrej Garden City are facing several issues because the builder has not transferred the bills and invoices to the society, nor has the society received the audit financial statements. The society is also facing problems because of the improper installation of sewage treatment plant. Multiple complaints by the residents have not elicited any response from Godrej. The society has, as a cluster approached Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC) for intervention and CERC has issued a legal notice to Godrej Properties Ltd. on behalf of residents of the society.
In another case, Manoj Dave booked a flat in Godrej Garden City and paid Rs. 6,34,958. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, he lost his job. So he decided to cancel the booking of the flat and requested Godrej Properties Ltd. to refund the money paid by him. Although his booking was cancelled and his EMIs were stopped, he did not receive refund of the amount paid including the booking amount. Another consumer, Amisha Shah booked a flat with Godrej Properties Ltd. by paying Rs. 50,000 booking amount. When her loan was not being sanctioned by the bank, she requested cancellation of the booking and refund. A similar situation was faced by Sania Bhatt who paid Rs. 3,72,000 for booking a flat at Takshshila Elegna but since her loan was not being sanctioned she cancelled her booking.
All these consumers approached CERC for intervention in their matter. CERC was able to successfully persuade the builders in each matter to amicably resolve the issue.
Meghavi Joshi, Deputy Manager – Mediation and Counselling – CERC said, “Despite the fact that Gujarat Government has established Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority (GUJRERA) for regulating the real estate sector in the state and providing speedy grievance redressal mechanism for complaints relating to the housing sector, consumers continue to face problems and harassment by builders /property developers. Perhaps many consumers are not aware of GUJRERA and so they do not approach it for grievance resolution. CERC has been receiving many consumer complaints against builders, some are even group complaints. We focus on getting resolution for consumers through our mediation efforts and if that fails, we represent consumers in the consumer forum.”
*Names of the consumers have been changed to protect their identity.
For more information, please contact Meghavi Joshi -9427074246
