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Maintenance rate confusion irks RWA
The DLF Qutub Enclave Residents' Welfare Association (QERWA) has accused developer DLF City of imposing hiked maintenance charges on residents from April 1 instead of July 1.
The DLF Qutub Enclave Residents' Welfare Association (QERWA) has accused developer DLF City of imposing hiked maintenance charges on residents from April 1 instead of July 1.
In May, QERWA and the developer had agreed that the revised maintenance rate of Rs 2.5 per sq yard will come into effect on July 1. Earlier, the charge was Rs 1 per sq yard per month.
The developer claimed there was some confusion and the new rates were applicable from April 1.
“We allowed DLF to impose R2.5 per sq yard starting July 1, not April 1. The DLF Estate Management than assured us improved services. Both parties also agreed to form a residents' advisory council, comprising RWA members and DLF officials," said QERWA president Madan Yadav.
"The council will take decisions on maintenance-related issues. But residents have complained of inflated bills this month as DLF had charged from April 1," Yadav added.
The move affects over 10,000 houses in plotted areas where DLF Estate Management Ltd maintains services. Gated communities with high-rises are, however, maintained by RWAs.
Arun Anand, executive director (town administration), DLF Group, said all residents' associations, excluding QERWA, had agreed on the revised maintenance charges.
"The QERWA, which came late on board, agreed to bear the revised rates. The association members were clearly told that the new rates would be applicable from April 1. There is some confusion. Some residents have paid the bills as per the new rates," said Anand.
The earlier rate had been applicable since 2004. But over the years maintenance overheads have increased manifold. According to DLF officials, the hiked charges were necessary to improve living standards of residents, who are always demanding better facilities.
