Now, apply online for affordable home in Gurugram

GURUGRAM: From applying for a unit in an affordable housing project to paying the booking fee, draw of lots, allocation and refund, the entire process is now online.

The department of town and country planning (DTCP) has launched a portal in order to ensure transparency in the entire process starting from application till the allotment of the affordable housing unit, in the wake of several complaints about developers charging a premium against allocation of flats to homebuyers.

As per norms, a developer launching an affordable housing project issues application forms to interested buyers. The application forms are available at the developer’s office and a few government offices, including DTCP and Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran.

The applicant has to submit the completed application form with 5% of the unit cost to the developer. But many developers have been allegedly charging a premium from the applicants against confirmed allotment, in complete violation of the norms.

“With the online draw, the possibility of a developer charging a premium from the applicants will end. The applicants will get a message on their mobile phones as soon they are selected in the draw of lots. And they can make the payments online,” said an official.

“Another major issue with the manual system was the slow refund process. Unlucky applicants had to wait for months for a refund of the application fee (5% of flat cost). Through the online system, the refund will be processed within two to three days,” he added.

In Gurgaon, there are currently 91 affordable housing projects at different stages of construction. As per existing norms, allotment of units in affordable housing projects can be done only through a draw of lots.

The government has fixed prices of units in affordable housing projects.