MahaRERA to bring out discussion paper on monitoring quality of real estate projects

The MahaRERA, on September 4, had said that it will start grading real estate projects in the state from April 2024

The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) on September 16 said that along with the grading of real estate projects, it is also considering regulations on monitoring the quality of construction. The MahaRERA is drafting a discussion paper that is expected to be made public in the coming days.

"MahaRERA is of the opinion that the quality of construction of projects can be controlled if regulations and procedures for effective implementation are laid down," said a statement by MahaRERA.

Under the RERA Act, the defect liability period is five years from the date of possession. This means that for five years after possession is handed over to the property owner, the developer is liable for any defect that might be reported in the  unit.

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"In case any structural or other defect in workmanship, quality, or provision of services, or any other obligations of the promoter as per the agreement for sale…, is brought to the notice of the promoter (developer) within a period of five years by the allottee (homebuyer or property buyer) from the date of handing over possession, it shall be the duty of the promoter to rectify such defects without further charge, within 30 days, and in the event of  failure to rectify such defects within such time, the aggrieved allottees shall be entitled to receive appropriate compensation in the manner as provided under this Act."

Ajoy Mehta, Chairman of MahaRERA, while speaking at a conference organised by the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), Maharashtra on September 15, said, "There are a lot of complaints from homebuyers. For example, they say that we have got possession on time, but the quality of the house is not good. So, now we have decided that we will not wait for the plaster to fall."

Mehta added, "When we ask whether there is a (quality) standard for finished projects, the answer is no. We are working on it and there will be a discussion paper soon. We have issued a grading matrix recently  which has emphasis on the timely completion of projects. We are now thinking of monitoring the quality of construction."

The MahaRERA, on September 4, had said that it will start grading real estate projects in the state from April 2024, to help buyers make informed decisions.

The MahaRERA has broadly chosen four parameters: technical, financial, and legal details, and project overview.