How To File A Complaint In Consumer Court Against Real Estate Developer

Project delays, property frauds, defaults on agreement ― a home buyer would go through one of these things or more if he somehow ends up buying a project with a wrong developer. The lengthy trials in courts would only add insult to injury. Therefore, to make things easier, consumer courts have started accepting those real estate cases where the purchased good or services are even less than Rs 1 crore. You don't even need to hire a lawyer for filing a complaint in the consumer court.

Step 1

Send a notice to the construction company/ developer, before filing a formal complaint. It is important for the consumer to give notice to the opposite party regarding the deficiency in service or unfair practice. This is to see if the other party is willing to offer the compensation to make the good the loss suffered by the consumer. If the developer refuses or neglects the notice, the you can approach the consumer court.

Step 2

Submit a formal complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. You need not hire a lawyer for filing the suit. Fill this complaint form and submit it to the commission. On a plain paper, mention the details of the complainant and the opposite party. Otherwise, you can consult consumer grievance redressal forums which also help consumers in filing and forming petition at nominal charges. One such non-governmental organisation is International Consumer Rights Protection Council.

The consumer should file the complaint in the district forum which has under its jurisdiction the other party's residence or office of profit or the area where the project is located.

Step 3

You have to submit the fee through a demand draft. The consumer forum follows difference jurisdiction to entertain complaint:

If the claim is for less than Rs 20 lakh, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum will hear the plea.

If the claim is for more than Rs 20 lakh but less than Rs 1 crore, the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission will entertain the complaint.

If the claim is more than Rs 1 crore, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission will attend to the plea.

Fee details

For district forums

Up to Rs 1 lakh: Rs 100
Between Rs 1-5 lakh: Rs 200
Between Rs 5-10 lakh: Rs 400
Above Rs 10 lakh and up to Rs 20 lakh: Rs 500

For state forums

Above Rs 20 lakh but less than Rs 50 lakh: Rs 2,000
Above Rs 50 lakh and up to Rs 1 crore: Rs 4,000

For the National Commission

A standard amount of Rs 5,000

Types of defaults you can complain against

Sub-standard work
Construction without approvals
Construction on illegally acquired land
Fraud in booking
Change of land use, layout plan, structures with the approval of allottee
Hidden charges
Enhanced external development charges
Cancellation of the project
Forfeiture of the amount
Delay in delivering possession
Creation of third party interest
Not providing completion certificate

You can also contact the Consumer Helpline number on 1800-11-4000 in the case of any confusion or to file a complaint on call.