Buyers demand implementing of apartments act

Homebuyers of Greater Noida West (Noida Extension) have demanded quick implementation of the UP Apartments Act by the Greater Noida Authority and developers. The demand has been made by a homebuyers' group, Noida Extension Flat Owners and Members Association (NEFOMA), after repeated instances of cancellation of bookings and complains of arbitrary changes in projects by developers.

Members of the buyers' group, who held a meeting and rally in Noida Extension on Sunday, alleged that in the absence of a proper regulatory mechanism in the real estate sector developers have been arbitrarily issuing cancellation letters. NEFOMA members, who had met the Union minister for housing and urban poverty alleviation Ajay Maken a few months ago over various issues faced by them, had been assured that a new law will be enacted by the Centre to keep a check on developers backing out of promises made in agreements.

Homebuyers have demanded that, in the absence of any central legislation, the UP Apartments Act, 2010 should be effectively implemented to protect the interests of buyers. "If the provisions of this act are implemented, buyers will be saved the troubles they are experiencing like cancellations of bookings or changes made to projects," said Annu Khan, president, NEFOMA.

Buyers have also put the onus on Greater Noida Authority for failing to ensure that developers in the region follow the rules of the UP Apartment Act.

An RTI filed by NEFOMA members has revealed that none of the developers in the region have submitted the mandatory 16-point 'Form of Declaration' with the Authority as contained within the rules of the apartment act notified by the state government in 2011.

"Developers are demanding homebuyers to sign addendums to agreements already made, which are completely lop-sided in nature. Contrary to our earlier agreements, we are being asked to pay for increase in costs of materials, if any, or if compensations are to be paid to farmers," said Devender Kumar, founder of NEFOMA.

A demand has also been made by homebuyers that developers provide them with 'true disclousres', in accordance with the act, about the actual site map of the project and the amenities promised to them at the time of signing of agreements.

Source (Ayaskant Das, The Times of India, 21 Jan 2013) : "Buyers demand implementing of apartments act."