In a bold move to protect homebuyers and restore confidence in Maharashtra’s real estate sector, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has initiated a comprehensive statewide verification of Occupancy Certificates (OCs) submitted by developers. This initiative follows a major fraud incident in Kalyan‑Dombivli (2022), where forged documents and fake approvals led to illegal buildings affecting over 6,500 residents.
Why the Verification Drive?
The 2022 Kalyan‑Dombivli scam exposed severe loopholes—developers used fake 7/12 extracts, fabricated building plans, and counterfeit MahaRERA registrations to complete and market illegal projects. In many cases, Occupancy Certificates were never legitimately issued. As a result, homebuyers continued occupying properties with invalid documentation.
MahaRERA’s current push aims to eliminate such vulnerabilities. Developers must now submit their OCs via the RERA portal, after which these documents are forwarded to the respective planning authorities across Maharashtra for validation within ten days.
Scope & Progress
– Scope: The drive covers approximately 2,600 ongoing projects and 3,699 lapsed projects from metropolitan areas including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Amravati, and Sambhajinagar.
– Progress: As of June 29, only 136 OCs have been verified; the rest remain under review.
Process & Accountability
– 10‑Day Deadline: Planning authorities are given a strict 10‑day window to respond. If no objection is raised, the OC is provisionally accepted; any future discrepancies will be their responsibility.
– Default Approval Clause: Lack of response within the stipulated window leads to certificates being deemed valid, but with full liability for retroactive errors.
– Distinguishing Partial vs Full OCs: MahaRERA is scrutinizing whether certificates claim full or only partial occupancy—developers have been known to misrepresent partial OCs as final approval.
Benefits for Stakeholders
– Homebuyer Protection: Verified OCs ensure that buyers occupy legally approved properties.
– Strengthened Regulatory Compliance: Developers are legally required to upload Commencement Certificates (CCs), building plans, progress reports, financial audits—and now, validated OCs—before withdrawing funds from escrow.
– Authority Accountability: Planning bodies are now held liable for any later discrepancies, incentivizing them to ensure thorough verification.
Challenges & Solutions
– Technical Integration Gaps: Only the BMC has fully integrated its portal with MahaRERA. Other authorities have cited technical issues, which the state IT department is now addressing.
– Bottlenecks in Developer Compliance: Frequently, developers upload CCs and building plans but delay submitting OCs. MahaRERA’s proactive reminder system is expected to address this.
– Streamlining Verification: To reduce confusion for buyers, stakeholders suggest simplified certification and communication systems. This drive is a key first step.
What This Means Going Forward
MahaRERA’s statewide OC verification marks a significant tightening of oversight in the real estate sector. By mandating authenticated OCs before granting full project status and release of funds, the authority is working to prevent fraud, protect buyers, and build trust.
Projects without verified OCs will remain under scrutiny until validated. Even once accepted, they’ll be subject to post‑hoc review by authorities, ensuring long‑term accountability.
Concluding Thoughts
This drive is more than a procedural reform—it is a signal that regulatory bodies in Maharashtra have improved vigilance, fortified homebuyers’ interests, and committed to transparency. While initial rollout gaps exist, the core mechanism—OC validation within 10 days—will act as a robust deterrent to fraudsters.
