Builder asked to refund money over 7-year delay

Latha Manikandan, the buyer, had filed a complaint with the TNRERA stating that Metroline Promoters Pvt Ltd had failed to hand over a commercial space being built in Vandalur. She signed an agreement and paid Rs 43.74 lakh for the property.

However, the builder delayed the project and failed to pay return rent of Rs 36,450 per month until the handover of the property, forcing her to claim a refund. Hearing the plea, adjudicating officer G Saravanan observed that the complainant was entitled for the refund of the amount she had paid.

“The complaint is entitled to refund of Rs 43.74 lakh with interest and a compensation of Rs 3 lakh. Towards litigation expenses, a sum of Rs 20,000 is fixed,” Saravanan said in his judgment.