Our dream home’s dream soon turned into a nightmare for us
when we realised that our flat area (Carpet area) is less.
And when we reported this deficiency to builder after exchanging
several mails he said
So we reached out to our best friend “Google Search” to find
help and came across Legal Metrology Department.
The department to whom government has vested power to take
action against such deficiency.
We were super exited all pumping with energy as we thought
we are fighting for what is right and just and etc etc.
Well after lots of follow ups the LMD took action against
the builder and this was the builder’s response
When I had my hopes set on something and they were dashed
We had no Support, no knowledge, no Clue as to what to do
next
Months passed by and LMD showed no sign of response
Our Patience was running out
And we realized that we cannot solely depend on them so we
decided to take matter in hand
So we mailed our complaints to the following so called
Consumer Help Centres
Pune Municipal Corporation: pmcconnect@punecorporation.org
National Consumer Helpline: web@nationalconsumerhelpline.in
CORE Centre (Consumer Online Resource &
Empowerment Centre): director@core.nic.in director.coreccc@gmail.com complaints@core.nic.in
Consumer Education & Research Centre: cerc@cercindia.org
cercindia@gmail.com
CREDAI: info@credai.org
Etc.. Etc..
And while we were waiting for them to take
action there were times when we felt like “Giving Up”
But a little voice inside us kept telling
us
Finally after repeatedly mailing them they
took our complaint and
Said “we are sorry, go to Consumer Court”
We were so naive to think that there is anybody out there to
fight on our behalf…
We again took the matter to the Builder and ask him to
compensate for the deficiency
Shattered and Helpless all doors Closed, our hope was also
dying.
But we still had Courage left and we were not ready to back
down
Though the truth was we didn’t knew what we are doing and
where we are going
But to Give Up after all the threats and insults and frustration…
No Way!
All I wanted was my house for which I have paid and the
compensation for the loss
You know it so absurd that we bargain for penny with the
vendor but when it comes to lakhs of rupees involved in flat purchase we are so
negligent.
As a consumer it is our right to know that we get every
Sqft/Sqmt that we are paying for since that is what the builder charge us for
but when questioned they don’t answer.
And we compromise on this and name it Tolerance.
There is hardly any Flat buyer who looks into measuring the
flat that they are paying Lakhs of rupees for.
In fact consumer does not even know that builders cheat in
Carpet area. Or that they should sell flats only in Carpet area which is to be
mentioned in Sales Agreement as per MOFA Act
Cheat!! In Big Bold letters. They pay premium and penalties for
terraces and balconies to increase the FSI Floor Space Index) and Sell us with the
carpet area at per Sqft. which should actually be Sqmts.
When our hope and strength was almost dying we came across
another important tool Power of RTI
But to get information out from them wasn’t as easy as
written in RTI blogs and articles
Coz either they are always busy Or they have forwarded it to
the next department
And I felt like Screaming in their ears
All this was practically driving us Mad..
But then This is Life!!
As the builder sat and mocked us by sealing our flat and
denying us possession
We started doing our Research in understanding the terminologies, the Acts, The Rules and Laws of the Government to protect the consumer
We thought of informing and educating others about this
issue and the response was
I mean Seriously Guys, Come on...
When we tell people that we are fighting for Carpet Area
deficiency they look at us confused
Some feels Sorry about it and some might even get angry
But then that’s it nobody wants to fight for their Right
And then there are other who may pity you,
And those who feel that you are exaggerating your claim
We have time to discuss all the silly issues and have big
talks over “Bias, Unfair” topics
But when it comes to taking matter into your hands
We all take a back seat
Well I have done my duty of informing you all that Beware,
Be a Smart Buyer, Be well-informed, your hard earned money is put in your dream
home
So, if you are still not interested then whatever
But do you know that an inch less in length and breadth in
all rooms can total upto 5% carpet area less which can account for 3-5 lac
(depending on your per Sqft/Sqmts rate)
But for those who think I am making sense. Brace yourself up
for the worse to come
If you wish to confirm go and ask the builder for what is
carpet area, and to give you the drawings etc of your flat
And if the builder says 5% variation in Carpet area is OK,
or plaster thickness is to be taken into consideration etc. Then it’s all a LIE
It is important to be super informed about everything before
you book a flat Coz as per the Builder he is never wrong
Yes I know that those Rules and Regulations and Acts and
Laws go bonkers
And they are all so twisted and turned that it makes you Crunch
But if you study them you will realize that Carpet area does
not include plaster thickness or door and jamb area, nor terrace as per DC
Rules.
The world around you may say “Don’t get into this SHIT”, “nothing
good is going to come out of this”
Coz don’t be surprised that when you enter a Government
department you may have to Wait and Wait
And then go home empty hand
When your hands will start hurting calling the Government
department to know the status of your complaint
And you may want to say “Screw it”
But don’t lose hope and keep fighting
There are still good people existing
The key to survive all this is keep breathing
There will be times when all this gets really overwhelming
But if you are persistent God leads you to new doors
And Victory will be yours
Though I don’t know where our battle will lead us to as at
times everything seems pointless
But somehow we couldn’t keep our eyes shut to it.
We have loaded our gun
I hope you will continue the good fight and Spread awareness.
