Chandigarh: The Haryana Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (HREAT) has directed a realty firm and the Haryana department of town and country planning (DTCP) to produce the approved and advertised drawings relating to a flat in a 34-acre luxury residential project in Panchkula.The direction came after a homebuyer challenged the apartment’s carpet area and the basis on which its price was calculated. In its July 2 order, the tribunal also sought the occupation certificate based on the approved drawings and directed that the records be produced in a sealed cover.The dispute relates to DLF Homes Developers’ project Valley Gardens, where applicant Ranjit Malhotra has contended that the realty giant factored areas beyond the apartment’s net usable floor area, or carpet area as defined under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, into the sale price. Under the law, the carpet area excludes external walls, service shafts, balconies and open terraces.DLF has disputed the allegations and maintained that the charges were in accordance with the buyer agreement.Malhotra has challenged a Panchkula HRERA order of April 23, 2024, which directed DLF to abide by the terms of the buyer agreement and observed that issues relating to possession could be examined when possession was offered.Before HREAT, Malhotra has contended that HRERA had not dealt with several issues raised in his complaint and had observed that the contractual obligations between the parties were yet to attain finality.During the latest hearing, Malhotra submitted that the DWG AutoCAD drawings supplied to him were inadequate to verify the apartment’s measurements. Recording that he had “expressed certain apprehensions regarding the DWG AutoCAD Drawings supplied to him”, the tribunal asked whether the approved drawings, the drawings published in project advertisements and the occupation certificate based on the approved drawings, indicating any approved variations, could be furnished.The counsels for DLF and the DTCP assured the tribunal that “necessary documents/drawings shall be produced before this Tribunal in a sealed cover on or before the next date of hearing”. The matter has been posted for Aug 27. The tribunal said the direction was being issued in exercise of its powers under Section 44(6) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act.
