The state government on Wednesday tabled a bill for enacting the Maharashtra Housing (Regulation and Development) Act, 2012 to regulate and promote the construction, sale, management and transfer of flats on ownership basis in the state. The bill also proposes to establish the Housing Regulatory Authority and Housing Appellate Tribunal.
According to the bill tabled by minister of state for housing Sachin Ahir, the existing Maharashtra Ownership Flats (Regulation of the promotion of construction, sale, management and transfer) Act 1963 needed to be amended after a lapse of more than four decades. The 1963 Act was enacted to provide relief to flat buyers against sundry abuses, malpractices and difficulties related to the construction, sale, management and transfer of flats.
However, although housing activities in the state have been stabilised to a great extent, considering a need for continuous control and monitoring of the activities, the state has proposed to bring in the bill. As of now, aggrieved flat buyers could only approach the consumer forum or civil courts. However, to protect the interest of buyers and to implement the spirit of the law, the government felt the need to have a new comprehensive law by repealing the 1963 Act.
Overall, the bill aims at facilitating smooth and speedy construction and maintenance of flats, buildings and properties and removing irregularities.
Moreover, the bill also aims at ensuring full disclosure by promoters or developers and compliance of agreed terms and conditions, while registering, monitoring and regulating housing projects by the HRA. This will help in creating transparency and discipline in the transactions of flats.