Builder fined 13,495 dinars for abandoning villa project

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: ashen@newsobahrain.com

A building firm has been ordered to pay a fine of 13,495 Dinars after failing to complete a homeowner's villa. The court also mandated the company to cover 747 Dinars in expert fees and legal costs.

The case arose when the homeowner sought a refund after paying 49,200 Dinars of the agreed total price of 61,500 Dinars.

According to court documents, the company had only completed work valued at 39,905 Dinars, prompting the homeowner to terminate the contract and seek compensation for the unfinished work and defects.

Representing the homeowner, lawyer Taqi Hussain presented evidence including the original contract, payment records, and an expert report that confirmed the substandard quality of work performed.

The homeowner claimed 9,295 Dinars for uncompleted work, 9,660 Dinars in penalties for delays, 2,700 Dinars to rectify defects, and 374 Dinars for a report on structural issues.

Correspondence revealed that the builder had previously agreed to a daily penalty of 20 Dinars for any delays past the revised completion date.

While the court upheld most of the homeowner’s claims, it adjusted the delay penalty to 1,500 Dinars due to the partly completed state of the project.

The final award of 13,495 Dinars includes the excess payments made for incomplete work and other damages related to the case.

However, the court dismissed the homeowner’s claim for moral damages, clarifying that Bahraini law does not allow for dual compensation since the delay penalty already addresses the issue.

Additionally, the judgment requires the builder to pay 747 Dinars for expert and report fees, as well as 20 Dinars in attorney fees.

The court fees amounted to 616.5 Dinars, with 340.5 Dinars payable to the homeowner and a 10 Dinar execution fee imposed on the firm.