MARGAO
The Goa Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has instructed a real estate firm to pay a penalty of Rs 5 lakh and deposit the amount with the Authority within 30 days. The penalty has been levied after a complaint regarding the firm’s failure to meet the terms of a sale agreement.
RERA member, Vincent D’Silva, issued the order, which mandates that the firm pay Rs 5 lakh towards interest and costs. Failure to comply within 30 days will result in the amount accruing interest as per Rule 18 of the Goa Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017.
The firm has also been directed to replace broken marble tiles in the living room and master bedroom of an apartment involved in the dispute, within 30 days of the order. Furthermore, the firm is required to submit a compliance report in the form of an affidavit within 60 days, or face further legal action under the RERA Act.
The complaint was lodged by buyers who had entered into a sale agreement in 2022 for an apartment with a super-built area of 246.377 square metres, which included two parking spaces. The total cost of the apartment was Rs 2.61 crore, with possession expected to be handed over by January 31, 2023. However, upon inspecting the apartment on September 27, 2023, the buyers discovered that the property was in poor condition. The living room and master bedroom tiles were broken in multiple places, and the main entrance door did not fit properly, leaving significant gaps.
