Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Maharashtra Housing Rules Cap Penal Interest, Non-Occupancy Charges
Maharashtra has made new rules for cooperative housing societies.
These societies manage many apartment buildings and their shared services.
The highest penalty for late maintenance payments is now 12% per year instead of 21%.
Charges for flats that owners do not occupy cannot exceed 10% of service charges.
The rules explain how some maintenance costs, including water charges, should be calculated.
Members may be able to join some important meetings online.
A nominee can temporarily become a member and vote while inheritance questions are settled.
Housing societies also receive rules for managing their own redevelopment projects.
More detailed Model Bye-Laws are still expected to explain how the rules will work day to day.
Maharashtra has notified new rules for cooperative housing societies.
Maximum penal interest on delayed maintenance dues is reduced from 21% to 12% annually.
Non-occupancy charges are capped at 10% of service charges.
The rules allow virtual participation in certain meetings and grant nominees provisional membership and voting rights.
A framework has been created for self-redevelopment, while revised Model Bye-Laws remain pending.
- Who
- The Maharashtra state government, cooperative housing societies, society members and managing committees.
- What
- New rules governing maintenance, membership, meetings, succession, governance and redevelopment in cooperative housing societies.
- When
- The rules were notified on October 1, 2026; revised Model Bye-Laws were drafted in August.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including Greater Mumbai.
- Why
- To reduce disputes and provide a clearer statutory framework for housing society administration.
- Penal interest cap
- 12% per annum on delayed maintenance dues, reduced from 21%.
- Non-occupancy charges
- Limited to 10% of service charges.
- Virtual participation
- Allowed in certain society meetings, including special general body meetings on redevelopment.
- Nominee rights
- A nominee may receive provisional membership and voting rights while legal succession issues are resolved.
- Self-redevelopment
- The rules provide a framework for societies undertaking self-redevelopment and seeking financial assistance.
- Registered societies
- About 1.27 lakh cooperative housing societies are registered in Maharashtra, according to Prakash Darekar.
- Greater Mumbai societies
- About 33,200 cooperative housing societies are functioning in Greater Mumbai, according to Prakash Darekar.
- Model Bye-Laws
- Revised Model Bye-Laws are awaiting finalisation after a draft was published for suggestions and objections.