A well-known builder in Delhi-NCR has been ordered by the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA) to pay Rs 85 lakh as interest to the Batra family for the delay of more than five years in the delivery of their house. This case is a big lesson for common home buyers on how to raise their voice for their rights.
confidence when shopping
According to an ET report, the Batra family had purchased a 1105-square-foot house in Delhi-NCR on August 26, 2017, for approximately Rs 1.5 crore. The builder had made two promises before purchasing the house, first, monthly payment at the rate of Rs 81.66 per square foot till the completion of the construction i.e. assurance of assured returns and second, promise to deliver the house by 26 August 2020. Trusting these assurances, the family paid the entire amount.
builder’s negligence
Initially the builder also gave monthly assured returns for a few months, but later he stopped the payment. Also, the delivery of the house could not be done on time. These two big promises of the builder were completely broken and many other buyers like the Batra family were cheated. The family felt that they had invested their hard-earned money in a project where the builder had cheated them.
HRERA ordered interest payment
The Batra family took up the matter with the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA). After investigation, HRERA clarified that when the written agreement between the home buyer and the builder contains fixed return and delivery dates, it is legally binding. HRERA strongly condemned the builder for breaking the trust of buyers.
On July 4, 2025, HRERA ordered the builder to pay Rs 85 lakh as interest to the Batra family for the delay. The interest rate has been fixed at 11.10% by adding 2% to the MCLR rate of State Bank of India (9.10%), which will be applicable from the promised date of delivery till the issue of possession certificate or the actual handover of the house. It has been taken out with a delay of 5 years for a total amount of around Rs 1.5 crore.
Big lesson for home buyers
The HRERA order also said that due to builder’s delay, home buyers should be given appropriate interest on their money. Also, in case of non-receipt of assured returns, buyers can contact the authorities. This order states that your rights should be respected while buying a house and that if a builder goes back on his promise, you can get legal recourse.