Mumbai 25th September 2020.
#MahaRERA Orders highest amount of refund to an individual #homebuyer for RS 5.17,07,805/- with an Interest @ 10.4% per annum from the time of money paid to the builder
Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has provided major relief to a homebuyer who invested in a project in 2013 and allegedly did not get the possession of the flat till date as agreed by the builder in December 2016 while executing the agreement. The MahaRERA adjudicating officer Madhav Kulkarni, in the order passed on September 18, 2020, allowed the aggrieved homebuyer to withdraw from the project. Moreover, the homebuyer is entitled to get a refund with an interest @ 10.40% per annum and the cancellation of deed at the cost of the builder. The adjudicating officer has also clearly ordered that all the amount has to be paid within 30 days from the date of passing this order.
Advocate Sulaiman Bhimani, who represented the complainant, said, “MahaRERA has issued the order in the interest of the homebuyer, who could not get the possession of the flat despite waiting for seven years and paying 80 percent of the consideration amount. Besides, it will be the highest refund amount any homebuyer would be receiving following the order of MahaRERA till date.
The complainant, named Mayank Chemiplast Pvt Ltd, had booked a flat in a project of Lokhandwala Kataria Construction Private Limited for a consideration of Rs 5,49,89,000 and 80 percent of the money (Rs 5,17,07,805) was paid. However, the homebuyer alleged that the possession of the flat was delayed.
Meanwhile, the builder contended that the complaint should not be admitted. Of the 90 floors in the project, 66 floors have already been completed and work is in progress. The delay occurred in obtaining permission and due to policy paralysis by statutory authorities. Besides, a stay was ordered by the Bombay High Court, halting all construction activities. Moreover, as per GR 2013, a standing committee was constituted to clear high rise building proposals around Arthur Road Jail. The builder was entitled to fungible floor space index (FSI). MOEF approval came in December 2016, and the CC from 51 floors to 77 floors came in March 2017.
MahaRERA, in its findings, stated, the builder was well known for all the circumstances pleaded while executing the agreement. If the builder was seeking more FSI for constructing more floors to increase his profits, he is doing it for his own sake. Almost seven years passed and the builder failed to give possession of the flat. Therefore, the complainant is entitled to refund of the amount paid with interest under sec18 of MahaRERA.
- POSTED IN PUBLIC INTEREST BY
- Sulaiman Bhimani Legal Consultant
Expert in RERA & Co-operative Scty Matters
Human and Civil Rights Activist
President Citizens Justice Forum
9323642081
sulaimanbhimani11@gmail.com
