From examining all the facts of your query I want to say that-
These cases are very common in various Courts of India and Supreme Court of India. It is evident that many buyers are reeling under the economic impact of the pandemic. Several have lost their jobs or been forced to take salary cuts. They are seeking an extension of payment schedules, and rightly so. It is a force majeure situation. You might know that meanwhile, the deadline for registration of ongoing real estate projects in the State under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act in 2016 is likely to be extended further. In early January, the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) had ordered all ongoing real estate projects to be registered by March 31. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, this has been extended to May 15. So, filing a complaint to RERA in Kerala is not a good option because of the delay aspect.
Supreme Court has upheld orders of a state consumer commission and the national commission to refund payment with interest to a homebuyer for over seven years' delay in handing over possession of the flat he had booked with a Kolkata-based builder. The court said a buyer cannot be required to wait indefinitely for possession of his house. Please understand that a buyer can be expected to wait for possession for a reasonable period. A period of seven years is beyond what is reasonable. Hence, it would have been manifestly unfair to non-suit the buyer merely on the basis of the first prayer in the relief sought before the state consumer disputes redressal commission.
To my mind your builder is in a way taking advantage of COVID-19 crises. There are 16 regular residents in total of 38 flats. 31 flats have allottees. Builder does not want to provide services any more. No timeline for CC/OC. He says he is not having finances. So, to take legal action all the aggrieved parties can issue legal notice to the builder. One Legal Notice can issued by several aggrieved parties. You all can join hands together for this common object. I have recently issued legal notices under my signature to such delinquent builders in various States in India and many have come for to settle the issues. You can claim compensation for mental and physical agony by sending legal notice through Advocate. All legal action can only be taken once notice has been served upon the entity or individual you wish to take to court. It is only this process that legalizes bringing a matter to court. The intimation sent is known as a legal notice. A legal notice is, therefore, a formal communication to a person or an entity, informing the other party of your intention to undertake legal proceedings against them. This notice, when sent, conveys your intention before the legal proceedings and thus, makes the party aware of your grievance. Many times, a legal notice served will bring the other party on heels, and the problem can get resolved out of court too, with fruitful discussions on both sides. And, if the other party is still not heeding to the grievance, one can always start the court proceedings after a particular interval, as stated by the law. Although a legal notice can serve as a purpose of negotiations between the parties and save time, effort and money that are usually spent in court cases.
You may contact my secretary to connect with me for clarification.
I hope you and your family are safe and healthy. Stay home and be safe during Covid-19.
Gopal Verma,
Advocate on Record & Amicus Curiae,
Supreme Court of India