Top 10 Common Problems Faced by Apartment Owners in Chennai

1. Shoddy construction and structural defects

One of the biggest nightmares that owners in Chennai face is discovering that their apartment block suffers from poor construction work.
For example, residents of a high‐rise in Saligramam reported cracks, falling ceiling bits and serious anxiety about living in the building.

This is especially problematic in a city like ours where heavy monsoons, humidity and salt‐laden sea breezes all add to wear and tear.

Tip: Before buying, inspect common areas, check for warranties from the builder and ask about maintenance history (including any structural repair).

2. Rising maintenance charges & unclear service delivery

You may happily sign your papers and move in… only to find that your monthly maintenance feels like a constant drain. In Chennai many owners complain about high service charges vs. actual service quality.

If your society doesn’t transparently deliver on cleaning, plumbing, lift upkeep, security, it becomes a recurring irritant.

Tip: At the time of purchase, ask for past 6‐12 months’ maintenance accounts, understand what is included. Choose a society with strong owner participation.

3. Water supply & sewage issues

Chennai’s water stress and ageing infrastructure hit apartment owners particularly hard. From irregular supply to sewage backing up, many face ongoing maintenance woes. The wider city context (e.g., past water crises) adds to the worry.

Tip: Check whether the society has a reliable water backup (tankers, borewell, RO) and ensure sewage/drainage lines are well maintained.

4. Forming & managing residents’ associations

A lot of the smooth functioning of an apartment comes down to how well the Owners’ Association (OA) or Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) works. In Chennai, many societies struggle to register associations or have internal conflicts.

Without a strong association, things like maintenance, dispute resolution and future redevelopment become messier.

Tip: Check if the association is legally registered, has clear bylaws, transparent finances and owner representation.

5. Redevelopment & approvals headache

For older apartments, redevelopment is often on the horizon in Chennai. But getting consensus, navigating the laws and dealing with the bureaucracy can be tough. The new rules under the Tamil Nadu Apartment Ownership Act are meant to help but bring their own complexity.

Tip: If you buy in an older complex, get clarity on redevelopment plans, understand the consent required, and check whether the building has visible issues that might trigger early redevelopment.

6. Parking, security & common amenity disputes

In a city where space is tight, parking becomes a continual tension point – who gets how many slots, who uses them, what about visitors, etc. Add non‐functioning cameras, lax security and you have a recipe for frustration.
One Reddit owner from Chennai writes:

“Ennoda car and bike got damaged aaga pochchu apartment parking la… the association is not taking this seriously – I’m paying good maintenance fees but this happened anyway!”

Tip: Ensure your society has defined parking norms, CCTV coverage, and a system for visitor parking. Also check if the security personnel are trained and supervised.

7. Poor communication & transparency

When things are going wrong, quite often the biggest aggravator is not knowing what’s going on. Owners complain about no updates, lack of access to accounts, and decisions taken without consultation. For example:

“The flat owners dominate the committee… cleaning service happens daily only in one part while the other part is ignored.”

Tip: Aim for societies that hold regular AGMs/EGMs, publish accounts, maintain notice boards (digital or physical) and welcome owner input.

8. Legal/regulatory uncertainty & developer defaults

From delayed hand‐over to unfinished amenities, to violations of approvals — many owners in Chennai battle issues that stem from the builder or regulatory gaps.

For instance, in Anna Nagar the developer was accused of not implementing a regulatory order for permanent electricity connections.

Tip: Before buying, check: building plan approvals, RERA registration (if applicable), entitlements (parking, amenities), what portion of the building is complete, whether developer has pending litigation. A good legal review upfront will save stress later.

9. Ageing building & maintenance backlog

If your apartment is not brand‐new, you may be dealing with wear and tear: water seepage, rusting rebars, cracks, peeling paint, stalled lifts, outdated wiring. One substantial article cited many building defects in a 17-storey building in Chennai built around 2015.

Half‐hearted maintenance over years accumulates into major issues.

Tip: Ask for the building’s age, check maintenance history, ask for reserve funds (for building repair). If you’re buying an older flat, budget for major works (roof, facade, plumbing, electrics).

10. Resale/rental hassles & tenant management

Owning an apartment in Chennai is one thing; renting it out or selling it is another. Problems in this area include: ambiguous parking rights, unclear bylaws on pets, dealing with absentee owners, rental disputes, and the challenge of a society’s image affecting resale.

For example, a Chennai court recently ruled that associations cannot impose blanket fines on pet owners.

Tip: If you’re buying with the intention to rent later, go for a building with good rental demand (close to transport, IT hubs, social infrastructure). Also check society rules on rental usage, pet ownership, sub-letting.

Wrapping It Up

Living in or owning an apartment in Chennai can be a smooth and rewarding experience — but only if you’re aware of the typical problems and prepare for them.

From construction quality, maintenance, association dynamics, to regulatory compliance and resale prospects — each of these ten issues plays a part in your ownership peace of mind.

At 99lakhs.com, our mantra “Affordable City Living” is not just about the price tag — it’s about finding homes where you spend less time worrying about apartment problems in Chennai and more time enjoying life in the city.

Bonus tip: Before you buy:

• Visit the society at different times (morning, evening, weekend) to see activity levels.

• Talk to current owners (not just the sales team).

• Ask for copies of building approvals & maintenance statements.

• Factor in long-term maintenance and repair costs when calculating affordability.