Housing Society Problems & Solutions

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Living in a Housing society allows you to make new friends, is safe, and fosters a sense of community, connection, and family. However, it is not always easy; there are ups and downs. There are numerous recurring concerns and challenges, such as noisy neighbors, rubbish disposal, parking issues, a breakdown in the provision of utilities, water scarcity, and many more. 

The majority of difficulties stem from a lack of transparency and communication between Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and its people. Another reason could be that housing societies continue to perform their jobs manually, have not modified or modernized their systems, and are woefully out of touch with current realities. All of this leads to inconsistencies and errors. 

What are the most prevalent problems encountered by inhabitants of housing societies?

High maintenance charges

Every resident of a housing society is required to pay a predetermined cost for maintenance charges such as energy, water, parking, garden maintenance, and so on. However, it has been seen that some housing societies charge their inhabitants arbitrarily simply because they live in a larger apartment or have pets at home.

Solution

Every reputable RWA must establish very clear, succinct, and transparent regulations governing maintenance charges and explain them to current residents as well as homeowners who are about to become residents of their housing society. RWAs should not arbitrarily change the rules. Any changes to the rule should be informed to all detainees as soon as possible to avoid misunderstandings and worries about unfair practices. According to a recent Finance Ministry notification, flat owners must pay an 18% GST if their maintenance expenditures surpass Rs.7,500/- per month. 

RWAs cannot increase maintenance rates arbitrarily; instead, they must follow society's bye-laws. If a resident is dissatisfied with his or her society's RWA, they can register a complaint with the District Consumer Forum, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), or the state's RERA.

Before signing any agreement, homeowners should look over the maintenance expenses with a fine-toothed comb to ensure that there are no surprises later on. If they have any questions, it would be a good idea to clear them up at that point.

The problem with safety

The problem of safety

One of the primary reasons people like to live in housing societies or gated communities is the sense of security and safety they provide. However, not all cultures are consistently safe. It has been observed that there are security failures when people can enter through the gates without sufficient scrutiny or verification. There are old or inoperable CCTV cameras, inadequate security guards who do not keep an eye on guests, and dimly lit common spaces such as lifts, parking lots, corridors, and staircases. This could lead to vandalism, theft, and encroachment. 

Solution

RWAs must ensure the safety of housing societies.

• Hire security professionals from a reputable agency that are reliable and accountable

• Install CCTV cameras throughout the property to ensure no risky areas are not seen on TV.

• Maintain up-to-date and functional security equipment. After all, homeowners pay for these services and demand the best from RWAs to keep them safe and secure.

• Maintain digital ledgers for all visitors, including daily, weekly, and monthly guests. In a housing society called Esteem Classic in the Malleswaram-Rajajinagar area of Bangalore, every visitor's mobile number is noted by the security guards at the entrance to the housing society, and a message or a call is immediately made to the owner of the flat, informing them of the visitor's arrival.

• Conduct emergency exercises for residents and perform annual maintenance checks and audits for security staff.

Shortage of Water

Water scarcity is a nationwide issue that affects more than just the housing sector. The perception is that water flows continually from taps in housing societies, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that there is never a lack of water. This is simply not true. Every resident in a housing society should be held accountable for utilizing water wisely.

Solution

What can RWAs do to prevent the loss of water resources in their housing communities?

• Install meters in every flat so that inhabitants are aware of and accountable for their water consumption.

• Invest in rainwater harvesting.

• Install a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) on the Housing Society site.

• Make sure the gardens on the site are watered using reused water.

• Ensure that all water-related equipment on the property is up to date, well-maintained, and undergoes monthly, semi-annual, or annual check audits.

• If there is an extreme water deficit on the property, restrict the water supply for a few hours per day, with advance notification to all occupants.

• Educate citizens on water-saving methods on a regular basis, such as having lower showerheads, not having the tap open while brushing teeth, washing veggies and fruits in a bucket of water rather than under running water from taps, and many other ideas.

• Respond immediately to homeowner concerns about leaking faucets and taps to prevent water waste.

Irritating neighbours

Life in housing societies can be extremely bothersome and annoying if neighbors play loud music and party late into the night or at strange hours, continuously dispute and fight with other people, litter the premises, or play noisily in the hallways. This type of activity can be very unpleasant, especially if you have senior folks or very small children whom you need to care for in your house.

Solution

RWAs should explicitly communicate the housing society's policies to residents who cause trouble or are rowdy. They should act as mediators between the opposing parties, follow the rules, and make fair decisions at all times, without giving any citizen an unfair advantage. If the offending by the neighbor is intolerable or habitual, the troublemaker might be scolded, fined, or even removed.

In conclusion.

RWAs cannot restore calm to citizens' lives without their assistance. Residents and RWAs should collaborate to address problems peacefully, without the intervention of municipal government.