Stung by inordinate delay, and duped by stakeholders, millions of people across the country are paying a hefty price for investing in their dream home
Homebuyer, Akansha Tete
Akansha Tete has been living under an intense fear of the number 10 for over a decade. “I just want 10 to be out of my life,” underlines the 48-year-old communications professional. “It might sound irrational but can somebody just delete this bloody number from the calendar,” whines the Gurugram resident. “Every month I get hyper anxious and restless on this day,” says Tete, who had booked a three-bedroom apartment for Rs70 lakh in 2011, and has been religiously paying an equated monthly instalment (EMI) of Rs34,500 on the 10th of every month. “It has been more than 10 years,” she says, adding that her intention is to stop paying, but knows that the consequences can be disastrous.“My credit score will go for a toss if I default.”
Back in 2011, there were five members in the family: Tete’s toddler daughter, her husband, Tete’s mother and a domestic help. “This was our first house after marriage,” recalls Tete who moved into a small apartment owned by her husband after the wedding. A consistent nudging from her mother, who wanted to share her room with her doting granddaughter, made Tete buy a bigger apartment. “My mom died a few years back,” she chokes, gasps for air and starts sobbing.