TGRERA orders builder to fix seepage in new flat under 5-year defect liability

The homebuyer reported the issues shortly after taking possession of the flat. Water seepage through the terrace and walls made parts of the apartment uninhabitable, the complaint said. The builder initially failed to address the complaints, prompting the buyer to approach TGRERA.

The regulator ruled that water seepage qualifies as a structural defect under Section 14(3) of the RERA Act. That section requires builders to rectify any structural defect or poor workmanship reported within five years of possession. The builder must bear the full cost of repairs.

TGRERA's order sets a deadline for completion and warns of penalties if the builder fails to comply. The ruling reinforces the defect liability period as a key consumer protection tool under RERA, giving buyers a legal route to force repairs without bearing the cost themselves.