Gurugram: Chintels Paradiso gets four months to pay buyers, three years to rebuild flats

GURUGRAM: The developer of Chintels Paradiso on Wednesday agreed to the terms set by the district
administration to either settle the claims of flat owners of three towers in the Sector 109 society within
four months, or renovate/rebuild the buildings according to expert recommendation. The outcome was reached at a meeting of deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav with representatives of Chintels India and the homebuyers.
The proposal, if implemented, will be the key breakthrough to resolve the issue of compensation to homebuyers more than a year after a sixth-floor flat in Tower D of the society caved in, killing two women

If a homeowner chooses the flat buyback option, the developer has to pay the cost of the flat (at Rs
6,500/sqft), and refund stamp duty along with the cost of interior work carried out in the house. This
payment has to be made within four months.
If not this, a homeowner can choose the renovation or reconstruction of the flat, which has to be carried
out by the developer in 36 months after all mandatory approvals are granted, Yadav told Chintels India.
Inspections of the tower by experts from IIT-Delhi after the February 2022 collapse had found irreparable
structural defects in the tower. The team, in its report, had suggested demolishing the tower, which had
been vacated by then.

Subsequently, audits had found defects in two more towers – E and F – of the society. The deputy commissioner also told the developer on Wednesday that it can’t stop paying the rent for alternative accommodation to families who were living in these towers. Rent will have to be paid until compensation is given, the DC said. For now, 52 flat owners of these three towers are living in alternate accommodation provided, or the rent for which is being reimbursed by Chintels India. Another 14 families still live in towers E and F despite orders to move out. Wednesday’s meeting was held after Chintels India, on April 29, proposed two settlement options as its “final” offer for homebuyers to choose from.

In the first, it offered all -inclusive compensation of Rs 6,500 per sqft and a refund for stamp duty. If not
this, the developer said it was willing to get the towers repaired and/or rebuilt based on recommendation
of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), whose audit report is awaited.
At the meeting, Yadav said the developer will also need to bear the cost of interior work. Valuation of the
cost of interior work in each flat has been carried out by an independent agency for Tower D, and will be
done for towers E and F also.
“If a resident opts for the first option, the developer will have to pay the entire amount within four months
and till that time, the developer will continue to pay rental for the alternate accommodation. The
developer has been asked to share a draft of understanding with the legal team of residents,” the DC said.
“The developer will have to pay the cost of interior work to the flat owners as per the valuation report,” he
added.
On the repair/rebuild option, Yadav said CBRI’s report is awaited and if it was different from findings of
IIT-Delhi experts, then the district administration will get another structural audit done by an independent
agency.
“If the towers are reconstructed, possession will have to be given to flat owners only after a structural
audit. Around 14 families still living in towers E and F will be served notices to vacate the flats,” he said.
A spokesperson for Chintels India said it had agreed to the DC’s proposal.
“As far as repayment is concerned, it will be done within 4 months – 25% of the settled amount will be
paid per month. Reconstruction will be done within 36 months,” the spokesperson said.
“Now, we request that our registries be opened to restore cash flows,” he added.
Rakesh Hooda, RWA president of Chintels Paradiso, said: “We are yet to receive a written order from the
deputy commissioner. Once we get it, we will discuss the way forward with the residents. This is a good
step by the DC to call the developer and flat owners to resolve the issue.”