Home owner's complaint

Home owner's complaint

From Republika

In November 2002, I decided to mortgage a unit in Persada Depok housing complex as offered by its developer, PT Harapan Inti Persada Indah, through the Kuningan branch of BTN (state savings bank).

After signing a purchasing agreement with the BTN Loan Service, I made a down payment of two monthly installments worth Rp 18,400,000. Despite the bank's credit approval, I had difficulty in securing the house, and was suggested that I settle the matter with the Depok branch of BTN.

I had just contacted BTN-Depok when the developer informed me that the housing credit I had applied for could not be fulfilled. The case was pending from February to May this year, so I requested that the installments be suspended, which was granted.

It seems that during this time, the developer transferred the purchase of the house to another buyer without notifying me. I finally canceled the purchase and had the money I had already paid, reimbursed.

According to the purchasing agreement, a cancellation is subject to a handling cost of five percent, but I was required to pay value-added tax and administration fees totaling Rp 4,480,000, which is more than five percent.

In short, PT Harapan Inti Persada Indah had swindled the sum out of me.

I wish to warn prospective home owners that they should be very cautious and on their guard against such deceptive practices in the real estate industry.

ANNA SRI SETIAWATI Depok, West Java

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