JAAH gets final notice to complete flats in 45 days

JAAH Investment Pvt Ltd has been given a final deadline of 45 days to complete the flats they have been developing in Hulhumalé.

In a statement released by Housing Development Corporation (HDC), it was said that JAAH had been given multiple extensions to complete the apartment building known as "The Garden," which has been under construction since 2017.

However, with the apartments still not completed to date within the extension period, HDC said that the board decided to issue a legal notice under the final stage of terminating the agreement with the company.

The statement also mentioned that if JAAH fails to complete the work within this final 45-day notice period, HDC will take over the project from the company.

"This corporation notes that this step was taken to facilitate the handover of apartments to those who paid JAAH to purchase the flats as soon as possible," HDC said.

Although the the project was awarded to JAAH in 2017 to be completed within two years, it remains unfinished seven years on.

As the matter drags on, a letter was also sent to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu last week requesting a solution for the issue.

The law firm representing the people involved in this issue, Shunana & Co., stated in their letter to the President that many people are suffering losses due to negligence in HDC's various housing projects carried out by real estate companies.

The letter mentioned that while large sums of money had collected as payment for the flats, it is HDC's responsibility to ensure the project progresses without causing harm to the public. It also stated that the agreements between HDC and real estate companies include a mechanism to resolve such issues. However, the letter expressed concern that this mechanism is not being implemented in the case of JAAH's flats.

In the matter of JAAH flats, HDC said in October 2023 that finishing work had begun on all floors below the 10th. This includes plastering, putty work, tiling, and ceiling work. HDC also said at the time that all remaining work on the building would be completed within six months.

At that time, the company was given a 30-day notice to complete the 83 apartment flats and pay Urban Co. for the land cost. However, neither the payment not the flats were completed when the deadline passed.