A cooperative housing society in Koparkhairane, Navi Mumbai, has been directed to pay ₹80,000 each to two members after the Thane District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission found deficiencies in the services provided by the society.
The order followed complaints regarding water supply, maintenance billing, security, repairs, seepage and the society's response to residents' concerns. The commission also issued directions to address pending repair and security-related issues.
⚖️ Compensation for Service Lapses
The New Krishna Cooperative Housing Society has been directed to pay ₹80,000 each to the two complainants as compensation for deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.
The members had alleged that several basic services were not being properly maintained and that their complaints were not adequately addressed by the society.
🏗️ Structural Repairs to Be Carried Out
The commission directed the society to appoint a structural engineer within 45 days to inspect the building and identify the required major and structural repairs.
After receiving the engineer's report, the society has been instructed to complete the necessary repair work within the prescribed timeframe.
🛡️ Security Arrangements Must Follow Rules
The society has also been directed to appoint a security agency and security guards in accordance with the Maharashtra Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Rules, 2022.
The direction highlights the responsibility of housing societies to ensure proper security arrangements for residents and the premises.
📹 CCTV System to Be Rectified
The commission ordered the society to rectify its CCTV system and provide available footage to the complainants when requested, subject to the system's storage capacity.
Properly functioning surveillance systems can play an important role in maintaining security and addressing incidents within housing society premises.
🏢 Residents Raised Multiple Complaints
The two members had raised concerns over repeated water stoppages, incorrect maintenance bills, lack of response to emails, inadequate security and pending repair work.
The complaints also included concerns related to seepage and leakage that caused damage to the apartment's ceiling and required additional repair expenses.
💰 Members Submitted Repair Expenses
The complainants submitted details of expenses incurred towards repairs, including ₹1.42 lakh spent on repairs and another ₹1.70 lakh towards expenses following ceiling damage caused by seepage and leakage.
These expenses formed part of the issues placed before the consumer commission while considering the members' complaints.
📋 Maintenance-Paying Members Can Approach Consumer Forum
The society had raised an objection regarding whether its members could be considered consumers under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The commission rejected this objection and held that members paying maintenance charges for services provided by the society can fall within the definition of consumers.
🔍 What Housing Societies Should Note
The order highlights the importance of housing societies maintaining essential services, responding to members' complaints and carrying out necessary repairs in a timely manner.
It also underlines the need for proper security arrangements, functional CCTV systems and responsible maintenance practices to ensure that residents receive the services for which they pay maintenance charges.
🏗️ Navi Mumbai Housing Society Ordered to Pay ₹80,000 Compensation to Two Members