Chandigarh Housing Board cancels allotment of 90 small flats

The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has intensified its action against defaulters, cancelling the allotment of nearly 90 flats so far in April. The move is part of a crackdown on beneficiaries of the Small Flats Scheme-2006 and the Affordable Rental Housing Complex, where non-payment of rent has been reported.

According to officials, the board has also released a list of nearly 13,000 allottees who have defaulted on rent payments. Notices have been issued to those whose allotments have been cancelled, directing them to hand over possession of their flats within one month. Failure to comply will result in the initiation of eviction proceedings.

The affected flats are located in areas such as Maloya, Dhanas and other parts of the city, where housing units were allotted under various rehabilitation schemes.

According to officials, the total outstanding amount has reached approximately Rs 52 crore, including Rs 25 crore in unpaid rent and nearly Rs 27 crore in accumulated interest due to prolonged non-payment over several years.

Officials said that despite repeated opportunities given to defaulters — including show-cause notices and personal hearings — many allottees failed to clear their dues. “In several cases, notices were issued multiple times over the past two to three years, but there was no compliance. This left the board with no option, but to cancel the allotments as per rules,” an official stated.

Officials highlighted that the housing units were allotted under a licence-based system, requiring beneficiaries to pay a minimum monthly rent. However, many allottees failed to deposit even the basic rent over extended periods, making the dues run into lakhs per household.