Chennai: Within a year of its implementation, the Real Estate Regulatory Authority in several states is flooded with complaints from homebuyers. Surveys also show that RERA has become the most preferred authority for grievance redressal. Maharashtra received 4,893 complaints, of which orders were passed in 3,041 cases while hearing is on in 1,542 cases. In Haryana, 1,800 complaints have been filed so far and still it is receiving 15-20 complaints everyday.
According to KK Khandelwal, RERA regulator of Haryana, the authority needs more benches to dispose of the cases. It also has 20 law interns sitting in the authority, helping consumers file their complaints, understand their positions and get to know realistic timeframes.
Uttar Pradesh received 8,100 complaints, of which 2,200 have been disposed off. Uttar Pradesh RERA regulator Rajive Kumar expects that by January 2019, all pending complaints would be addressed.
The Uttarakhand regulator received 266 complaints in 225 registered projects. Regulator Vishnu Kumar feels they will be resolved in 4-6 months.
In Tamil Nadu, the RERA regulator has cleared 24 complaints and another 266 are being heard. Karnataka has passed orders in 503 complaints. Madhya Pradesh has disposed off 1,268 complaints. Some states are still in the process of setting up RERA, while some do not divulge the details of the complaints on their websites.
A consumer poll conducted by Magicbricks.com also found that Real Estate (Development and Regulation) Act 2016 (RERA) has been able to instil confidence in consumers in around one year of its implementation.
As many as 56 per cent respondents prefer the RERA regulator in case of a dispute, while 23 per cent still prefer to file their first complaint with the builder. Around 12 per cent homebuyers said they would go to consumer courts and just 7 per cent chose to go to the police. A miniscule of 2 per cent would either go to the HC or the SC.
“RERA seeks to protect homebuyers and ensure that projects are completed on time. Homebuyers feel the law can help them get justice in case of a dispute. Today, buyers should not feel hesitant to file their complaints with RERA for speedy redressal,” said E Jayashree Kurup, editor, Magicbricks.
