If you are buying a flat in Bangalore, watch out

GIREESH GOPINATH writes from Bangalore: Be very cautious before you book a flat with “Sri Lorven Builders” in Bangalore. The promoters are two brothers, Narasimman Reddy and Mallaya Reddy from Hyderabad. (Mallaya Raddy, the main owner, is said to be a government employee).

They were in operation in Andhra Pradesh for a few years under a different name. But once they were blacklisted, they have shifted to Bangalore and changed the brandname to “Sri Lorven”. But they continue to use the same tricks that has fetched them crores.

Their modus operandi is to offer a flat at a price lower than the market rate. Very decent and educated guys are placed near the reception area of their office to woo and win over customers.

Usually builders start selling the flat from the initial stage itself. But the Brothers Reddy start the marketing only when they finish 70 per cent of the construction. So, the first payment is 70% of the flat cost.

In another 20 or so days, they start threatening you: “Registrations in Bangalore are going to close soon. Please register your flat immediately”. But at the time of registration, they say: “Without getting 90% of the total cost we cannot register. Pay 90%, we will finish registration today and hand over the flat next month.”

Since only a portion of the construction remains to be completed, you think registration is more important and comply. Thus, they collect 90% of total flat cost and finish the registration in your name.

Once you pay 90% you are in their trap. They collect the same amount from almost all the customers, and then escape from the site. You cannot find the builders, the engineers, or even a worker again.

They also change all the mobile SIM cards and you will get “Please check the number” message if you call them. Using the same strategy, they begin work on four to five projects simultaneously.

All this time, frustration will be building up inside you. You have been paying EMIs for the last few months. Plus, you have been paying your current rent.

After five to eight months, one fine day Mallaya Reddy sends his brother, Narasimman, to the building site. This guy, to put it mildly, is not one of Bangalore’s more reputable characters.

He changes tack: “The market price of this flat, when compared to last year, has increased by Rs 2 lakh. Pay me that amount to get the remaining work done.”

You cannot argue anything with him because he is not the kind of person you would want to get into a conversation with. (He is always accompanied by more heavies and he claims that he has good political background. He slapped a couple of my fellow residents who are decent software engineers and who tried to protest.)

Some people who are frustrated in this transaction compromise, and pay the extra Rs 2 lakh thinking that it is better to pay the extra money instead of losing the Rs 20 lakhs which they have already paid.

Then the Reddy brothers will show some progress to those guys who paid the extra amount, just to emotionally force the other guys to pay. Once they collect it from everybody, they change the strategy again.

They say, “We never promised you electric fittings (switches, boards), lifts, flat doors, windows, bathroom pipes etc.”

(Initially you see the plan brochure and think that they are obvious from any builder, but there is a disclaimer written behind the brochure: “This brochure is purely conceptual and not a legal offering. The developers reserve the right to add/alter/delete any of the specification mentioned here”.)

This chain goes on and on…. and you will not get the flat even after 18 months of your initial payment.

One fine day after making some more money the brothers leave the place without providing even the basic amenities. We approached the bank from where we got the loan but to no use.

Finally we paid money from our pocket and got the balance work done. If you want any more clarifications regarding this, you can meet any resident at the following addresses in Bangalore:

1) Sri Lorven Castle, 5th Main, 7th Cross, Near Hasenda club, Maruti Nagar, Mallesh palya (Behind BEML gate).

2) Sri Lorven House, Kagadasapura, Vignana Nagar, behind SCT college.

3) Sri Lorven Paradise, Krisnanna Palya, Byappana halli, Old Madras Road.

4) Sri Lorven Villa, 4th cross, Wind Tunnel Road, Airport.

Sri Lorven Builders are also building more apartments near Whitefield, Banashankari, BTM, JP Nagar and Indira Nagar

Be very cautious. If you book a flat with them, that’s the end of your money and happiness. Please forward this to your friends and save them from this trap.