SANTO DOMINGO.- Defects in homes and real estate projects have become one of the main sources of conflict between consumers and developers, in a market where the growth of the construction sector goes hand in hand with complaints.
According to Pro Consumidor, during the first quarter of 2026, 1,484 claims were registered, among which real estate damages, along with contractual breaches and failures in the delivery of properties, are among the most recurrent causes.
A problem warned about since 2024
The current behavior does not arise in isolation, but is a recurring practice.
According to a publication by El Inmobiliario in 2024, the director of Pro Consumidor, Eddy Alcántara, indicated at that time that 70% of the real estate complaints received in 2023 and that year in the entity he presides over, were related to increases in housing projects.
According to the explanation given at the time, these conflicts included practices such as duplicate marketing, construction defects, and questionable price increases for homes. The official also warned that, in some cases, these increases were announced without any actual progress on the construction, which generated friction between buyers and developers.
Conciliation: the way to avoid the courts
Faced with this scenario, Pro Consumidor indicated that nearly 90% of the cases registered this year were resolved through conciliation agreements, avoiding prolonged legal proceedings.
According to Alcántara, this mechanism allows for faster and more effective responses for those affected, while reducing the legal burden for both consumers and suppliers.
More than RD$125 million returned
As a result of these efforts, the entity achieved in this first quarter the return of RD$125,210,193.89 in favor of consumers affected by irregularities in the purchase of goods and contracting of services.
Other major causes of complaints include breach of service, appliance failures, vehicle purchases, breach of warranty, returns, improper charges, and cases of misleading advertising.
The head of the institution noted that these results reflect both the efficiency of the processes and a greater awareness among citizens of their rights.
Pro Consumidor explained that it will continue to strengthen market surveillance and guidance to citizens, within the framework of Law 358-05.
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