B
Bappi Lahiri
posted on 12 MayNRI trying to buy property remotely — this is hard
My builder just sent the final demand letter for my Sector 37 property and I'm honestly shocked. I'm based in Dubai, so I can't do site inspections easily, relying on their initial quotes. Now they're asking for significant amounts for 'IFMS' and 'maintenance setup' that weren't clearly itemized upfront. This feels like a bait-and-switch. Is this a common practice with builders like Raheja Universal in Chandigarh? What recourse do investors have, especially those of us managing remotely? These hidden charges are completely throwing off my ROI projections. Any advice on how to challenge these unexpected costs at possession?
#hidden-charges#possession-charges#nri-investor#chandigarh-real-estate#raheja-universal
Comments
Totally agree. Builders just take advantage of the final stage. Yeh toh India mein common hai, sadly. You have to fight for every penny.
Ye toh pura scam lag raha hai. Raheja Universal in Chandigarh is known for some delays, but hidden charges of this magnitude are concerning. Can you share what percentage of the total property cost these 'new' charges represent? And was there no mention of IFMS at all, even in the initial payment plan or brochure? I'm looking at properties in Mullanpur Garibdass and this makes me super nervous about my own purchase.
Yes, I agree with U14. The percentage can be significant. And for NRI's, the shock is even bigger because they budget strictly based on initial numbers and exchange rates. This current market condition with high interest rates makes every extra rupee pinch harder, especially for first-time buyers.
Mullanpur mein bhi builders ka yahi haal hai. Be careful and get everything in writing with clear numbers.
From what I've seen, IFMS can be 1-2% of the property value, and maintenance setup is usually for a year or two. So, together, it can easily be 3-5 lakhs on a 50 lakh flat. The OP's point is valid if these were not itemized *amounts* in the payment schedule. 'May be applicable' doesn't cut it for clarity. My builder for a project near Saini Majra did something similar, they just said 'statutory charges extra' and then hit us with a huge bill.
Bhai, I feel for you, but usually, these charges like IFMS are mentioned in the BBA (Builder Buyer Agreement) in fine print. Did you get a lawyer to review it thoroughly before signing? NRI buyers often miss these crucial details because they can't be physically present for every step.
Exactly! And even if it's in the fine print, the sales team often downplays it or says 'it's a small amount, don't worry'. Then at possession, it's a lakh or two. This happened to my friend in Rasulpur last year.
While the BBA might mention it, the issue is often the *transparency* and *timing*. Many builders hide these in vague clauses, or the amounts are not specified, only a 'may be applicable' line. For someone remote, it's almost impossible to get clear answers unless you have a trusted local representative. It's not always about missing due diligence, sometimes it's deliberate obfuscation by the builder.
OMG this is so common! My cousin faced similar issues with a different builder in New Chandigarh. Builders always spring up these 'extra' charges at the end, especially for things like IFMS and club membership. It's truly frustrating.
Sahi baat hai. It's a tactic to squeeze more money, especially from those who aren't physically present.
Haan yaar, exactly. For my flat in Manimajra, they suddenly asked for 'infrastructure development charges' that were never discussed. It's like they wait till the last minute when you're desperate for possession, knowing you'll pay up.