The Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has issued a directive to the builder of RDB Coconut Grove Apartments, instructing them to fix defects and complete all pending amenities within 90 days. The ruling follows a complaint filed by the Coconut Grove Flat Owners Maintenance Society, which raised concerns over delayed amenities, substandard construction quality, and safety issues affecting the residents.
Residents’ Complaints Against the Builder
Residents of RDB Coconut Grove Apartments alleged that several promised amenities were not delivered. Key complaints include:
- The clubhouse, central park, swimming pool, jogging track, and visitors’ parking were not constructed as per the original plan.
- The builder only installed two lifts per tower instead of the promised three, leaving the provision for the third lift open, creating safety hazards.
- Out of 500 occupied flats, only 360 units have access to Manjeera water supply.
- Several key features such as the mini-theatre, guest rooms, landscaped gardens, basketball court, gas pipeline, and mineral water plant were missing, despite being advertised in the builder’s sales brochure.
To compensate for these missing facilities, the builder converted a single flat in each tower into a makeshift clubhouse, which serves as a gym, banquet hall, and indoor games area. However, residents have complained that these makeshift arrangements fail to meet quality standards.
Construction Quality Issues
Along with the lack of promised amenities, the quality of construction has raised serious concerns among residents. The primary issues reported include:
- Severe water seepage leading to damp walls, waterlogging in basements, and leaks into flats.
- Poor waterproofing on top floors, causing ceiling collapses in some areas.
- Faulty electrical infrastructure, resulting in frequent power fluctuations and outages.
- Lack of proper fire safety measures, posing a serious safety hazard.
- Security lapses, including the replacement of IP-based CCTV cameras with outdated analog cameras, and absence of surveillance coverage in basement areas, increasing security risks.
Builder’s Defense and RERA’s Verdict
The builder defended the delays, citing legal disputes with neighboring landowners as a major hurdle in project completion. They also argued that the project should be exempt from RERA regulations since the building permissions were obtained before the implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.
However, RERA rejected these arguments, stating that since the project has not received a completion certificate, it qualifies as an ongoing project and falls under RERA’s jurisdiction. The authority ruled that the builder had violated RERA regulations by:
- Failing to register the project under RERA.
- Not fulfilling commitments made to homebuyers.
RERA’s Order and Penalties
As per RERA’s ruling, the builder must:
- Complete all pending amenities and fix construction defects within 90 days.
- Ensure compliance with fire safety norms, security measures, and water supply requirements.
If the builder fails to comply with these directives within the given 90-day period, they will face strict penalties under Section 63 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.
Conclusion
The Telangana RERA’s decision is a significant step in holding builders accountable for delays and violations in real estate projects. The ruling ensures that homebuyers’ rights are protected and that developers deliver on their promises. This case also reinforces the importance of RERA registration and compliance, ensuring transparency and accountability in the real estate sector.
