In response to the fake construction documents scandal that surfaced in the Kalyan-Dombivli area, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has launched a statewide verification drive. The authority is sending letters to all relevant Planning Authorities across Maharashtra, requesting them to verify the authenticity of Occupancy Certificates (OCs) submitted for 3,699 lapsed real estate projects uploaded on its official website.
Why the Action?
The move comes after MahaRERA discovered possible fraudulent practices involving fake documents, which could seriously compromise buyer safety and trust in the real estate sector. As a precautionary and corrective step, the regulator issued notices to developers of lapsed projects. These developers responded by claiming that their projects were completed and subsequently uploaded the corresponding OCs on the MahaRERA portal.
To verify these claims, MahaRERA is reaching out to all concerned Planning Authorities, requesting them to authenticate the OCs. The authorities have been given a 10-day deadline to respond. In the absence of a reply, MahaRERA will presume the submitted documents are genuine and mark the projects as completed on its platform.
Clear Accountability for Discrepancies
MahaRERA has issued a stern warning in its communication: if discrepancies are discovered later, the entire risk and responsibility, including any financial implications, will rest solely with the concerned Planning Authority. This is seen as a strong step toward ensuring transparency and accountability in the real estate ecosystem.
Region-wise Breakdown of Projects
The 3,699 lapsed projects are spread across different regions of Maharashtra, with a significant concentration in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune Region. The region-wise breakdown is as follows:
Mumbai Metropolitan Region (1,819 Projects)
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Mumbai City – 106
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Mumbai Suburb – 430
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Thane – 557
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Palghar – 175
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Raigad – 415
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Ratnagiri – 86
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Sindhudurg – 50
Pune Region (1,223 Projects)
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Pune – 1,015
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Kolhapur – 49
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Satara – 69
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Sangli – 55
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Solapur – 35
Nashik Region (273 Projects)
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Nashik – 226
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Ahilyanagar – 23
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Jalgaon – 19
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Dhule – 3
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Nandurbar – 2
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Region (132 Projects)
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Ch. Sambhajinagar – 101
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Beed – 3
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Jalna – 9
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Latur – 10
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Nanded – 5
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Dharashiv – 3
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Parbhani – 1
Amravati Region (84 Projects)
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Amravati – 48
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Akola – 15
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Wardha – 8
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Buldhana – 7
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Yavatmal – 5
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Washim – 1
Nagpur Region (168 Projects)
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Nagpur – 144
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Chandrapur – 22
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Bhandara – 1
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Gadchiroli – 1
Compliance Requirements for Developers
According to MahaRERA regulations, developers must register every project before initiating sales. During the construction phase, they are obligated to submit quarterly progress reports and annual audit statements. Upon completion, the Occupancy Certificate (OC) issued by the concerned Planning Authority must be uploaded on MahaRERA’s website. Once accepted by MahaRERA, the promoter can withdraw all funds from the project’s designated bank account and is relieved from further disclosure obligations for that project.
Conclusion
This initiative by MahaRERA reflects its strong stance on combating fraud, protecting homebuyers, and streamlining the compliance process. It underscores the regulator’s resolve to ensure credibility, transparency, and legal accountability in Maharashtra’s dynamic real estate sector.
