The Redevelopment of the Co-operative Housing Society: A Circus Deluxe Edition
A Poetry on Redevelopment: Member Chaos, Builder Promises, and Reality
1. Introduction & Brief Background
Welcome, dear flat owner, to the grand society show,
Where dreams of shiny towers and new lifts glow.
“Modern flats, gyms, infinity pools, rooftop lounges too!”
Yet behind the brochures, reality waits to ambush you.
Meetings, WhatsApp forwards, signatures galore,
“Consensus achieved!” — someone swears evermore.
Builders sparkle with charm, brochures gleam,
But your heart skips a beat, your wallet may scream.
From dilapidated walls to leaky ceilings,
From creaking lifts to rooftop dealings,
Societies dream of towers brand new,
But reality tests patience — for years, not few.
So grab your chai, spectacles, and notebook tight,
We’re diving into redevelopment — a Mumbai-style fight.
2. The Three Redevelopment Tricksters
A. The Member Consensus Mirage
“Everyone agrees, smooth as silk!” they shout,
Yet suddenly Mr. Tom wants a parking spot.
Mrs. Dick demands a terrace for yoga,
And Mr. Harry vetoes the lobby’s extra aura.
“The penthouse is mine!” another screams,
“Wait, my flat overlooks the sea!” — such dreams.
Votes, countervotes, WhatsApp war,
Even Ganapati Bappa sighs: “I can’t take this anymore!”
Reality check: even a simple decision
Becomes drama, argument, and collision.
B. The Builder’s Promise Phantom
“Delivery in 24 months — guaranteed!” they cheer,
Yet 36 months later, only the lobby appears.
Model flats sparkle, brochures seduce,
Reality offers dust, cracks, and construction abuse.
“Wi-Fi, gym, swimming pool — all included!”
Yet hidden charges arrive, carefully concluded.
“Garden maintenance, terrace deposit, extra parking fee!”
Your wallet cries: “Why did I believe thee?”
A dialogue from a society meeting:
- Builder: “Trust us, our quality is superb.”
- Member: “Your last three projects collapsed — is that the verb?”
- Builder: “Those were minor hiccups!”
- Member: “Minor? My savings vanished faster than a magic trick!”
C. The Legal & Financial Trap
“Fully RERA-compliant!” the brochures declare,
Yet hidden clauses lurk everywhere.
Stamp duties, contingency funds, escalation charges,
Suddenly, your budget bursts at the margins.
Agreements arrive in microscopic font,
Miss a single line — lose more than you want.
Banks, loans, approvals, municipal delays,
Turn your dream home into a bureaucratic maze.
Inner monologue of a member in despair:
“Why does a terrace cost as much as my flat?
Why are we paying extra for every draft?”
Builders smile, members sweat, lawyers grumble,
By the time work finishes, patience may crumble.
D. The Psychological Pull
“Modern life, luxury, comfort — invest today!”
Yet members quarrel, contractors delay.
Marketing glitters, model flats hypnotize,
Reality is chaos in a thousand size.
Even the most patient owners despair,
Arguments erupt in lifts and on stairs.
WhatsApp groups overflow, notices pile,
Each member dreams of a flat in style.
3. Lessons for Society Members
Dear co-op dweller, beware the show,
Not every builder delivers as they vow.
Check contracts, costs, and RERA approvals,
Or face lifelong debates — endless removals.
- Consensus is tricky, patience even trickier.
- Ignore hidden clauses — your wallet grows sicker.
- Member egos, builder charm, legal jargon —
Only vigilance saves you from the financial dragon.
4. Precautions to Save Oneself
- Verify builder’s track record — don’t fall for charm.
- Ensure all approvals: RERA, municipal, environmental.
- Keep written records of meetings and resolutions.
- Agree on costs, timelines, and contingencies upfront.
- Inspect construction quality; document all flaws.
- Don’t be dazzled by infinity pools — often mirage in laws.
- Hire auditors or legal advisors to review contracts.
5. Memorable Couplets & Catchy Lines
“Model flats gleam, promises soar,
Reality often leaves wallets sore.”
“Members fight, builders delay,
Redevelopment dreams may decay.”
“Penthouse, terrace, swimming pool —
Check the fine print, or pay the fool.”
“Consensus lost, fees unclear,
Caution saves both time and tear.”
“Every WhatsApp forward, every notice pinned,
Could hide a cost you never imagined.”
6. Funny Mnemonic to Remember Redevelopment Vigilance
B.L.O.C.K.S.
- B = Builder — track record, trustworthiness.
- L = Legal — approvals, RERA, contracts.
- O = Ownership — member agreements, disputes.
- C = Costs — hidden charges, escalation.
- K = Kinks — defects, poor construction.
- S = Schedule — timelines, delivery commitments.
7. Bonus Quick Tips for Members
- Keep detailed minutes of every meeting.
- Verify promises with past builder projects.
- Ensure transparency in cost sharing.
- Inspect quality with independent engineers.
- Maintain contingency funds for delays.
- Communicate clearly — avoid WhatsApp wars.
- Carry humour — your wit is the best armour.
Final Punchline
“Sharpen your wits, read every clause,
Or your redevelopment dream becomes a lifelong pause!”
Compiled By
Prakash Joshi
Ex-Banker, Financial Consultant & Freelance Educator
Mumbai – 400057
Email: ppjoshi49@gmail.com