Buying flats in Mumbai: Do certain communities face bias?

[Contrarian]

Buying flats in Mumbai: Do certain communities face bias?


Actor Shabana Azmi has sparked off a huge controversy by alleging that Muslims cannot buy flats in Mumbai and that the community was discriminated against. TOI decided to do a reality check. Its reporters posed as Muslim flat-buyers-Mohammed Hanif and Abdul Rashid-and called up several builders' offices and real estate agents at random, inquiring about the availability of flats. The results were by and large contrary to what Azmi alleged. Here's what we did:

We dialled K Raheja builder (26005269) and inquired about his project on Link Road, behind D Mart, in Malad (West). An executive said booking was open and possession would be available by Diwali. Asked if they had any objection to selling flats to Muslims he replied: "Absolutely no problem sir. We don't bother about the religion of buyers. Anyone willing to pay our price is welcome.''

RNA builders (28975659) have a project at NG Park on Shiv Vallabh Road, Rawalpada, Borivli (West). A staffer said an 850 sq ft (built-up area) flat can be had at Rs 4,800 per sq ft. He categorically stated that being a Muslim did not matter to his company. "You can come anytime to have a look at the flats,'' he added cheerfully.

A staffer at Kalpataru Builders (28842600) said two-and-a-half BHK flats can be booked at their project in Kandivli (E) and possession will be given in May 2009. He reassured that religion was no consideration for the sale. "We have no issue selling flats to Muslims,'' he emphasised.

At Nahar Builders' office (28470201) an assistant identified himself as Sureshbhai and initiated a smooth sales talk about their project at Chandivli Farm Road near Powai. He said flats measuring 1040 sq ft were available for at Rs 10,000 per sq ft. He was surprised when we asked if he had any reservations about selling a flat to a Muslim. "Why there should be any problem?'' he asked innocently. "You are most welcome,'' he added for good measure.

Real estate agent Sushil Khemchand (9820800728), when contacted, said a posh flat was available on outright purchase for Rs 2.5 crore off Turner Road in Bandra (West). Measuring around 1100 sq feet, this flat-situated in an eight-year-old building-was available to people from all religions, he stated. He assured that that the housing society would have no objection to Muslims staying there.

Estate agent Rajubhai Dayalani (9322571471) has a few flats for sale at Mayuresh Shristi, L B S Marg, in Bhandup (West). He said it was available for anywhere between Rs 44 lakh and Rs 56 lakh. Rajubhai said the flats were open for people from all communities and there was no discrimination. "Only the price mattered. Please come on Sunday to have a look,'' he said enthusiastically.

Lokhandwala Construction (32933197) project near Worli Naka is ready for possession, and falls under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. Shailesh Bhai, who is promoting the project, told TOI that there was no problem being a Muslim and one could easily purchase an apartment here. The builder, Moiz Lokhandwala, was a Muslim who did not care about the religion of the buyers. Bhoomi builders (28617227) have a project at Bhoomi Valley, near Thakur Public School, in Kandivli. They too have no objections to Muslims buying properties in their projects.

A few others, however, had some reservations .

Windsor builders (21714617) in Thane have a project, whose possession date is December 2008. When asked whether a Muslim can buy property there, a staffer replied: "Sir, I am confused. I am not sure. I will have to check with my boss.''

Kabra Builders (28783818) have a project at Vidya Niketan Marg, off M G Road in Goregaon (West). It is a redevelopment project and will have 2 BHK flats for possession by November 2008. Each flat measures 925 sq ft built-up area and will have proper amenities. However, Deepakbhai, who spoke to us, said that he was not sure about Muslims being accommodated here. "As it is a redeveloped property, I will have to take a no-objection from the society,'' he said and promised to get back to us soon.

Buying flats in Mumbai: Do certain communities face bias?-Mumbai-Cities-The Times of India

 

[Contrarian]

In response to Shabana Azmi's statements.

Though this is for major properties, i do know for a fact that Muslims find it hard to rent a house in old localities in many parts of the country. If a Muslim goes to rent a house in many localities, the owners say that the house is not for rent, as they just gave it to someone else, etc.

But the same is for many Hindu's in a muslim locality, as well as for couple's in a live in relationship, etc, etc.

Those are individual preferences of land owner. Its not an institutional system as Shabana Azmi was proclaiming.

 

[Flintlock]

There are community-based enclaves in Mumbai. Some are Jains only, some Marvaris only, some Vegetarians only, Sindhi only, Gujarati only etc. etc.

Some don't say openly that they only admit people of a certain community, but it is an unspoken rule.

But, same rules apply to muslims enclaves also, where non-muslims have a hard time buying property.

However, such complexes aren't illegal since they are basically private property.

The large majority of builders and developers don't discriminate.

Government accomodation doesn't discriminate on the basis of religion.

 

[Contrarian]

Which is what most people forget. The fact that India is a democracy does not mean that the people cannot discriminate, it means that the government cannot discriminate.

 

[roadrunner]

There are community-based enclaves in Mumbai. Some are Jains only, some Marvaris only, some Vegetarians only, Sindhi only, Gujarati only etc. etc.

Some don't say openly that they only admit people of a certain community, but it is an unspoken rule.

But, same rules apply to muslims enclaves also, where non-muslims have a hard time buying property.

However, such complexes aren't illegal since they are basically private property.

The large majority of builders and developers don't discriminate.

Government accomodation doesn't discriminate on the basis of religion.

It's one theory.your theory, backed up by no fact. Another equally possible theory is that people do not want to move into areas where there's a lot of people not like them, which leads to these Jain, Muslim segregated areas. However, whoever said anything about moving into the area? Definitely not Shabana Azmi for sure.

 

[third eye]

One form of discrimination I experienced first hand im Mumbai about 2 mths ago was when my son decided to move out of the shared flat provided to him by his Co & hire one for himself closer to his place of work.

None of the landlords were prepred to let out their premises to him. Their objection was that he is a bachelor !!

Since getting married was too high a price to pay just to hire a flat, he had to move back to the shared flat.. only to finally get one a week ago.

 

[Spring Onion]

One form of discrimination I experienced first hand im Mumbai about 2 mths ago was when my son decided to move out of the shared flat provided to him by his Co & hire one for himself closer to his place of work.

None of the landlords were prepred to let out their premises to him. Their objection was that he is a bachelor !!

Since getting married was too high a price to pay just to hire a flat, he had to move back to the shared flat.. only to finally get one a week ago.

lolz Sir this happens even here. Bachelors are seldom rented houses or flats

 

[nitesh]

This doesn't seem to happen in Bangalore

 

[Flintlock]

It's one theory.your theory, backed up by no fact. Another equally possible theory is that people do not want to move into areas where there's a lot of people not like them, which leads to these Jain, Muslim segregated areas. However, whoever said anything about moving into the area? Definitely not Shabana Azmi for sure.

Yes, its my theory, based on my own experiences, and those of my family and friends.

I belong to Mumbai.

You won't find a research paper on this topic, but you'll get the same reply if you talk to a Mumbaiikar.

 

[Malang]

I wouldn't sell/rent my house/building etc. to single man/woman, film stars, foreigners, politicians, cops, out of towners, people w/o reference etc.. irresp of the community they belong too..