A new reconciliation forum launched by MahaRERA to address complaints of both developers and buyers. Now, Citizens can file an application for reconciliation online, a post which hearings will be held after payment of Rs 1,000. The members of the forum from the CREDAI (Council of Real Estate Development Association of India); Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP); MCHI (Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry), an umbrella body of promoters; and NAREDCO (National Real Estate Development Council). The forum will be operational from February 1.

After create an account on the MahaRERA website, Home buyers can make an application for reconciliation. The opposite party also be informed about this reconciliation and will be given a seven days time span to respond. Secretary of MahaRERA, Vasant Prabhu said “If the matter gets resolved, an agreement will be made by taking signatures of both parties. If consumers are not happy with the decision of the forum, they can then approach MahaRERA.”

A reconciliation forum that would act as a mean of alternate dispute resolution (ADR) said by the Asian Age who was the first to report. Chairman of Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP), Shirish Deshpande said, “An alternate way has been created to settle disputes in an amicable way for the first time in the country. If this works, it will be a good situation for buyers.”

There are total 10 conciliation benches set up in Mumbai and five in Pune. And expected to start functioning of these benches are from March 2018.

Niranjan Hiranandani, NAREDCO, said “that they have to prove ourselves. The mediator should be able to gain trust and confidence among buyers. Only then will we be able to address and resolve more complaints. Our objective is that the projects should be completed.”