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Karnataka society bans 1BHK residents from gym, pool but takes maintenance: ‘Isn't it discrimination?’
While some supported the society’s stands, others urged the tenant to take legal action.
A Karnataka tenant’s move into a housing society has turned into a frustrating ordeal over shifting bylaws and access rights. Originally moving into a 1BHK apartment with the promise of full access to a gym and swimming pool, the resident now find themselves locked out by a new policy targeting smaller configurations. The society has reportedly moved to exclude 1BHK and 1RK residents from common amenities, suggesting they pay "guest fees" for every use instead.
“Big society does not allow 1 BHK residents to use the amenities but takes maintenance,” the tenant wrote on Reddit, adding, “I am living in a fairly big society.”
Initially, the person paying a fairly high rent was assured they would be able to use the amenities. However, the individual was then informed by their owner that some people “have a problem with 1 BHK residents using the amenities.”
The person continued, “Never thought the society would actually bar us from using the amenities now. They are not even allowing a one-time payment to buy access to amenities. We have to pay like a guest per day if we want to use the amenities. The worst part is they are taking maintenance from us.”
What did social media say?
An individual wrote, “In some gated communities, certain amenities like a swimming pool and gym are made part of clubhouse membership and kept separate from regular maintenance payment. Neither owners nor tenants would be paying for them out of monthly maintenance. Instead, there will be a separate membership fee, and only owners can pay that fee and become members. Also, even if owners pay, they cannot use their membership to grant access to others. So, the owner cannot use their membership to grant tenants access..” The OP responded, “This is not the case here. They are not allowing it to be bought separately either. They had proposed it earlier but then simply didn’t discuss it further. The maintenance is also as per sqft of apartment instead of same maintenance for all apartments irrespective of size of the apartment. So every apartment pays maintenance as per their apartment size including 1 BHKs.”
Another added, “This is how it is done. The smaller apartments are priced substantially lower at the time of purchase. Most owners assume they will not need any amenities and would rather pay lower prices.” The OP replied, “As far as I am aware, it wasn't priced lower. The owners bought it as a 2+1 unit and paid the same price but probably bought it with the intention of renting it out separately. None of the 1 BHKs are sold separately.”
A third expressed, “It's illegal unless there's some stupid clause in your unit/ flats agreement with the builder or some authority , which is probably not the case . Get to the bottom, read everything. Go to the registrar's office/concerned authority for societies and raise your matter.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
