MARGAO: The South Goa district consumer disputes redressal forum (CDRF) directed Master Builders to pay a sum of 80,000 to the buyer of a flat, who complained that the leaking roof had rendered the flat uninhabitable. The forum, while disposing of a complaint filed by Nora ManchindranathNaik of Margao, directed Master Builders owned by Amar and SandhiyaPhaldessai to pay the amount towards waterproofing treatment of the slab and providing and fixing Mangalore tiles over it.
Naik had booked a flat with Master Builders in the building 'Lotus Ambience'. Before handing over the flat to her in January 2009, Master Builders had demanded from Naik a letter of
possession which contained a statement to the effect that there were no defects of workmanship as well as construction of the flat and that its possession was taken by the complainant. According to Naik, she was compelled to sign the letter of possession as, though the entire amount was paid to the builder, the latter refused to hand over the possession of the said flat unless the letter of possession was signed by the complainant.
As per Naik's complaint filed with the CDRF in January 2010, though she had taken possession of the flat, it was not in a condition of being occupied as the roof leaked during the monsoon. In order to make it inhabitable, it was necessary to provide waterproofing treatment to the slab and lay Mangalore tiles over it, the complainant alleged. Despite bringing the deficiencies to the notice of the builder, her complaints were ignored, she stated.
In their defence, Master Builders submitted to the forum that Naik, prior to taking possession of the flat, had inspected it and given a declaration that the flat was free of any defects of workmanship as well as of construction.
"...There is no denial of the fact that a person can ascertain the waterproofing of the slab only after taking possession and only after the flat faces the rigours of the rainy season...The complainant is entitled towards the amount which is required for waterproofing treatment of the slab and providing and fixing Mangalore tiles for the slab," the forum observed. As per the report of the engineer, the waterproofing treatment and providing and fixing Mangalore tiles above the slab requires a sum of 80,000, the order delivered by CDRF president Jayant Prabhu and member Savita Kurtarkar stated.
Added On: 2013-06-18 05:06:08
