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Kerala builder ordered to pay Rs 25 lakh for defective house
The Kollam District Consumer Commission has directed a Thiruvananthapuram-based builder to pay Rs 25 lakh to a homebuyer for constructing a defective house. The order, passed on August 10, 2026, includes Rs…
The Kollam District Consumer Commission has directed a Thiruvananthapuram-based builder to pay Rs 25 lakh to a homebuyer for constructing a defective house. The order, passed on August 10, 2026, includes Rs 20 lakh towards repair costs and damages, Rs 5 lakh as compensation for mental agony, and Rs 25,000 for litigation expenses.
The complainant, Visakh K, entered into an agreement with Luxury Builders in January 2022 for a house costing Rs 32 lakh, to be completed in six months. The builder delivered the house only in January 2024, and the buyer claimed he ultimately paid Rs 42.63 lakh. After taking possession, he reported leaking plumbing, cracks in walls, uneven flooring, dampness, and electrical issues, among other defects. The builder did not appear before the commission despite notice.
An expert commissioner appointed by the commission found inferior materials, defective plumbing, inadequate waterproofing, and poor workmanship. The commission ruled that the defects amounted to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. It ordered the builder to pay Rs 20 lakh with 9% annual interest from January 13, 2022, and gave 45 days for compliance.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 allows homebuyers to seek relief for construction defects within five years of possession. This case shows that even when a builder remains absent from proceedings, courts can award substantial compensation based on expert inspection reports. For buyers, the key takeaway is to document every agreement, payment receipt, and complaint in writing. The 9% interest rate applied from the agreement date, not the complaint date, significantly raises the effective payout. Similar cases in other state commissions have awarded between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 50 lakh depending on the severity of defects and cost of repairs. The builder now has 45 days to comply or face execution proceedings.
Source: livemint.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
