Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 15: The North Goa District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed a property developer to repair water seepage in a flat belonging to a resident of Bardez within three months and pay Rs 25,000 as compensation for damages caused by the leakage.

The complaint was filed by Vikram Vaigankar, who purchased a first-floor apartment in the residential complex The Misty Greens in Socorro, Goa, India in 2018 for Rs 38 lac. The project was developed by Universal Developers.

According to Vaigankar, a portion of the false ceiling in both the hall and bedroom collapsed in June 2020 due to issues in the roof slab. Although the builder carried out repairs, he alleged that the waterproofing work was faulty, which later resulted in recurring leakage.

In June 2021, water reportedly began seeping directly through the slab, damaging the flat’s interiors and furniture. The situation worsened during the monsoon season, and cracks that had been repaired earlier reappeared, raising concerns about the quality of construction.

Vaigankar said he repeatedly approached the developer seeking a permanent solution to the issue.
During the proceedings, the developer argued that if the leakage problem was severe, the complainant should not have continued living in the flat.

However, the commission, headed by president Bela Naik, observed that addressing structural defects and cracks falls squarely under the builder’s responsibility and ordered the developer to carry out necessary repairs within the stipulated time.