Sold the flat, did not install lift for 10 years, court imposed a fine of so many lakhs on the builder

Penalty on Builder: A builder’s violation of his promise proved so costly that a fine of Rs 7.5 lakh was imposed on him. This case is from Delhi where two builders, while selling flats to the buyers, had promised that they would install a lift in the building. But this did not happen even after 10 years, due to which people got angry and filed a complaint in the consumer court.

What is the whole matter?
Actually, two flat owners had complained to the Commission that they had purchased the flats in the year 2013 and 2014. At that time the builders had assured them that the lift would be installed within a month of registration. The cost of lift was also included in the price of the flat, but even after many years this promise was not fulfilled. Due to which the angry flat owners complained to the builder.

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sent a legal notice
After waiting for this matter for almost four years, the flat owners sent a legal notice in the year 2018. After this, an agreement was reached between the two parties on 19 August 2018. According to the agreement, the builders had to install the lift by March 31, 2019. If they did not do so, they had to pay Rs 6 lakh to the flat owners.

Commission’s decision
After the complaint of the flat owners, the Commission found that the builders neither installed the lift within the stipulated time nor paid Rs 6 lakh. It was also clearly written in the documents that the buyers would have the right to use the lift and other shared facilities of the building. Therefore, it was the responsibility of the builders to provide lifts. The commission ordered builders to pay Rs 6 lakh to flat owners, Rs 1 lakh for mental distress and harassment and Rs 50,000 as litigation expenses.

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Not only this, the Commission also said that builders are legally responsible for providing the promised facilities and scheduled facilities to the buyers on time. If they do not do so, they may have to pay compensation.

What can consumers do?
If something like this happens to you or someone close to you, you can take help of the law. The court will help you in such cases and will also get you compensation.