Builder collects money for repairs, but roofs are leaking

All your issues regarding housing societies -- your neighbour creating unnecessary trouble in society decisions, or your problems with the secretary -- answered by our expert

I purchased a flat in Thane in 2006, but there was a one-year delay. The builder, however, is collecting maintenance chargesu00a0@ Rs 1.5 per sq ft, but is not taking any care of the building. All rooms have severe water leakage and all the walls are affected because of this. What can I do? -- Sunil D

It is the statutory responsibility of the builder to obtain an occupation certificate. With regards to the leakage, please obtain a quotation from a contractor of repute. Issue a legal notice to the builder calling upon him to compensate you.u00a0 I would advise you to approach the consumer court on the grounds of deficiency of service. You can personally fight your case. You do not even have to appoint an advocate for the same.

Our society is going in for redevelopment. However, some members feel that there should be a lottery system for the apartments. Majority of members are against the lottery system. -- Aruna F

The developer should make arrangements for drawing lots, and at that time the flats should be allotted in the presence of the Registrar*s representative and this process should be recorded by video shooting.

Since the last two years, I have been suffering from a leaking roof. We had informed the society last year and they made some stopgap arrangements, but it did not help. Can I force the society to get the repairs done, or can I get the repairs done on my own & ask the society to reimburse the same? -- Manish K

It is the responsibility of the society to incur the expenses on repairs of terrace. If your society is not responding to the bona fide submissions you are within your rights to approach the court of competent jurisdiction, which can be consumer court or the co-operative court and seek a prayer from the court stating that as monsoon is fast approaching, you may be permitted to incur the expenses and the final outcome of the case will decide who has to bear the said expenses.

Having regards to the complexities of the facts, parties should recheck the advise with their lawyers.u00a0 The paper or the persons giving the information are in no way liable for the answers given to the readers.