Builder directed to pay Rs 4.35 lakh to homebuyer near Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: The district consumer redressal commission has directed a builder to pay ₹3.80 lakh to a homebuyer for poor quality of construction and for repairs carried out after the purchase of the house. Also, the commission -- comprising its president R Thangavel and members P Marimuthu and G Suguna -- has directed the builder to pay ₹50,000 as compensation to the buyer for the mental agony caused due to deficiency in service and ₹5,000 as the cost of the proceedings.

According to official sources, P Arumugam of S Kumarapalayam near Sulur approached K Sugumar, a private builder, to purchase a newly constructed house at a cost of ₹26 lakh. He paid the entire amount on Nov 28, 2020, after obtaining a home loan from a bank. After the housewarming ceremony, he moved into the house in 2021.

Soon after moving in, Arumugam noticed multiple defects. Cracks appeared on the walls, and the floor tiles on the ground floor sank into the ground. Additionally, due to improper plastering, soil began falling off the walls. When Arumugam approached the builder with evidence of the poor quality of the construction, the builder responded irresponsibly and did not take any action.

Within two years, various structural issues made it difficult for Arumugam to continue living in the house. He was forced to carry out repairs at his own expense.

Subsequently, Arumugam filed a complaint with the consumer redressal commission.