Women say no to apartments in Kochi

KOCHI: As issues related to making illegal changes to the structure of high-rise apartment complexes and infringement on the absolute rights of apartment owners over their assets and the violation of the privacy of both tenants and owners have created a furore, many prospective homebuyers, particularly women, say that they have either shelved or deferred their plans to buy or invest in properties in Kochi.
Many women who are originally from Kerala and settled elsewhere have said that they “do not trust apartment owners' associations.”
Nunu Jagannath, a nurse based in Canada said that various instances of apartment owners associations not objecting to illegal or unauthorized constructions are surfacing. She said the associations make decisions without consensus. She has also expressed her displeasure over imposing bylaws, which discriminate against single women and people of the third gender. “I do not want to invest in a property in which I do not have control. I need complete freedom and do not want to compromise my rights," she said.
Sherin Johnson (name changed on request), a researcher with the University of Illinois, Chicago said: “Though I am originally from Kerala, I will not buy an apartment or house in Kochi or elsewhere in the state.” According to her, single women who "are lawabiding citizens with buying power" come under the tight scrutiny of apartment owners' associations. "Instead of focusing on aspects like structural stability, yearly maintenance of the property, ensuring owners follow rules and regulations regarding the upkeep of the building, the owners’ associations and its active members are keen to meddle with the private lives of residents," she said.
Shruti Geetha, a software engineer who resides in Singapore said that owner associations demand "marriage certificates" from women "as proof” of their marital status. “My friends back home have told me how some owners and associations verify caste and religion. These are all irrelevant information.” She said that she was not interested in buying a property in Kerala as she doesn't want to "put up with moral policing".
Nisha Denny, an ex-pharmacist from Abu Dhabi said: "There are unconstitutional bylaws. Such bylaws are being framed to safeguard vested interests. If I invest in Kochi, I must get an assurance that my rights are protected.”