BPTP Spacio buyers allege builder is forcing them to pay escalation charges

GURUGRAM: Homebuyers of BPTP Spacio in Sector 37D have alleged the developer is forcing them to pay over Rs 15 lakh as escalation charges while the project has been delayed by over seven years.

The project was launched in 2010 by BPTP Limited with the promise of possession by 2014. Buyers said they have paid over 95% of the amount and are now being asked to shell out between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh extra at a time when they are already paying rent as well as home loan EMIs. Government agencies have not helped them despite several complaints at various platforms, they alleged.

The developer, however, said the allegations were “baseless”. When contacted, a BPTP spokesperson said: “We wish to clarify that the allegations being made are completely false and baseless. The charges mentioned in the possession letter are as per the contractual agreement between the parties. We would wish to reiterate that not even a single customer has been asked to pay escalation of over Rs 15 lakh per unit in the entire project.”

The spokesperson also said escalation has only been charged for the committed period of delivery and not till the actual date of possession.

Buyers, meanwhile, alleged they were being harassed by the builder. “I had purchased a flat in Tower Q of the project. But even after over 10 years, the developer hasn’t offered possession and is harassing buyers continuously. They earlier said there were issues in construction and are now seeking unjustified charges,” said Amit Garg, a homebuyer.

Garg said the developer obtained occupancy certificate for a few towers on January 15, after they sent buyers letters with offers of possession asking 25% extra of the cost in the name of escalation charges and area increase.

The homebuyers said in a hearing held by the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (H-Rera) in January this year, the developer was directed not to charge any increase in area charges and was even asked to check for unjustified escalation charges without paying penalty for delay to homebuyers.

“We have complained in all forums, be it the PM grievance cell or CM window, but nobody is doing anything. Our complaints are being dumped without action,” a buyer said.

Another homebuyer, Sourabh, added: “My wife and I spent all of our savings to buy our dream home. The project has been delayed by over seven years and instead of paying compensation for delayed possession, BPTP is asking us to pay 25-30% extra of the basic sale amount.”

He said he had filed a complaint at CM window around two months back, but no action was taken. “I was surprised to see that the builder sent me an invoice for maintenance before even offering me possession,” he said.

“I have been patiently paying EMIs and rent for several years. But after this long wait, what I get in return is a demand of Rs 20 lakh — which is almost 30% of the actual cost of my flat — instead of any benefit of delayed penalty,” another buyer added.