RERA pulls up builder for long delay in handing over flat

MARGAO
The Goa Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has directed a real estate developer to execute a sale deed in favour of a complainant after the builder defaulted on handing over possession of the apartment booked around 10 years ago.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, RERA Goa member Vincent D’Silva further directed the real estate developer to pay interest at 10.80% to the complainant for every month of delay on the sum of Rs 44,07,351 from July 10, 2018 till handing over of valid and legal possession of the apartment and execution of the sale deed in favour of the complainant.
The builder was further directed to pay costs of Rs five lakh to the complainant within 60 days of the order, failing which it will carry interest in terms of law till effective payment.
In another direction, the RERA member has further directed the builder to pay Rs 10 lakh as a penalty under Section 61 of the Act for violation of Section 17 and Section 18 of the RERA Act.
“The amount shall be deposited into the bank account of the Authority within 60 days, failing which necessary proceedings will be initiated against the respondents,” D’Silva said, while directing the builder to file a compliance report of the order in the form of an affidavit within 60 days of this order, failing which further legal action will be initiated by the Authority under the RERA Act for execution of the order.
“The complainant is entitled to costs for prosecuting the matter since 16.06.2025 before the Authority and from the year 2015 when the respondent promised to complete the project and deliver the apartment to the complainant on or before 10th July, 2018, which it failed to do, as the completion certificate was obtained as late as 21.11.2025. Moreover, the complainant is a woman who has invested her hard-earned money in the project, only to be denied completion of the premises in time, handing over possession and execution of the sale deed on grounds not substantiated with any evidence by the respondent,” RERA member D’Silva observed.