The Delhi RERA has directed builders to establish an allottee grievance cell.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Real Estate Regulatory Authority (DRERA) has urged national capital real estate promoters and builders to “appoint a ‘Allottee Grievance Cell’ for each project with a designated telephone number to redress allottee grievances.”

It has also directed them to publicly post their names, addresses, RERA number of registration of the projects, and information about the Allottee Grievance Officer and Allottee Grievance Cell with contact information at each project’s building site.

The three-member authority, made up of Anand Kumar, Ajay Kuhar, and Devesh Singh, has ordered all builders to report on their compliance with the decision by September 30, 2023.

“Any failure to do so will be regarded as a violation of the Act, which may result in a penalty under Section 61 of the Act,” the ruling stated.

If a promoter of a real estate firm fails to comply with the provisions of the Acts, rules, or regulations, a penalty of up to 5% of the projected cost of a real estate project is imposed under Section 61 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

Anand Kumar, Chairman of DRERA, said PTI that the directive was issued to help homebuyers and allottees acquire accurate information regarding the project in which they have purchased or plan to purchase a flat.

“It has come to our attention that some builders are selling non-RERA registered projects while claiming to have the necessary registration.” “With this mandatory provision to display registration numbers and other details on the construction site, buyers will be able to make an informed decision and identify the right project,” Kumar explained.

Kumar believes that establishing an Allottee Grievance Cell and an Allottee Grievance Officer will result in a one-stop redressal system at the builder level.

The move has been praised by real estate professionals as a constructive step by Delhi RERA.

“Often, allottees are directed to approach various departments within a developer company, ranging from sales to customer relations to top management, for redressal or an ear for their complaints,” Venket Rao, legal counsel with UP RERA, explained.

Rao, the proprietor of Intygrat Law Offices, went on to say, “Various personnel, e-mail IDs, and phone numbers are assigned to allottees.”

This action would at the very least put a stop to such many centers and create a single point of contact for allottees to file grievances. Not only that, but accountability will put an end to numerous hollow promises and excuses.”