Beware of Illegal buildings! CMDA tells buyers

Residents of two buildings given de-occupation notice

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Beware! Please check with Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
before buying flats or plots.



CMDA posted this on its website while issuing two Caution Notices to
two separate buildings in Sowcarpet and Choolai in North Chennai.



Urging the buyers to check for completion certificate before making
payment, CMDA in its Caution Notice has said that those having
interest to acquire the development or construction can treat this as
notice served on them.



It is learnt that CMDA has served de-occupation notice also to
residents in 15 dwelling units and shopkeepers in 80 shops in the two
separate buildings for its failure to obtain completion certificate
from Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.



A senior official told Express that the de-occupation notice has been
served to the two buildings located in Astabujam Street in Choolai and
Mint Street in Sowcarpet.



The building in Choolai (New door number 19 and 21) has now 11
residential dwellings in five floors but tenants are unaware of any
Caution notice issued to the tenants. A tenant on condition of
anonymity said that CMDA had did issue a De-Occupation notice on
November 20, 2014 requesting the owners and all occupiers to
discontinue the use of the building.



“Someone approached the court and got a stay order. You can contact
the owner,” he said. The owner could not be reached.



Interestingly, this time CMDA has put the Caution Notices also on its
website. But sources feel instead of putting on CMDA’s website, it
should be put in the newspaper or other media so that people are aware
that the building has violations and would think twice of occupying or
buying it.



The violation by the residential building in Choolai is about
unauthorised construction of fifth floor (partially) and sixth floor
(part) besides deviations from stilt floor to fourth floor with
respect to approved plan.



The building also violates development regulation norms including
floor space index, dimension of the building, setback on all sides,
height of the building and parking. It is also learnt that the
categorisation of the building was changed to multi-storied building
from special buildings.



“We have asked Metro Water and Tangedco to cut off power and water
connections immediately,” the member secretary has stated in the
notice. “We have also asked the Chennai Corporation not to assess
property tax for the building,” the senior official stated.



Similarly, Caution Notice has been issued to the unauthorised
construction (Door number 374) in Mint Street. The building is
declared unsafe due to non provision of fire safety measures,
structural stability certificate and unauthorised floors. It has 80
shops and four dwelling units. When Express contacted the owner of the
building, he said that he received the notice and would approach the
High Court. “I am in Rajasthan. Once, I return the would take
appropriate action,” he said.



Interestingly, CMDA has sought the help of Chennai Police Commissioner
to vacate all the occupants of the building. It has also asked Chennai
corporation to cancel trade licences which have been issued to all
shops in the building and take necessary enforcement action including
discontinuance of occupiers