How will maintenance be decided in your housing society? How will an heir get ownership after a flat owner’s death? How will the society’s fund be built? How will parking charges or non-occupancy charges be levied? The new rules answer these and many other questions, as the state government has introduced major changes to housing societies’ functioning by notifying separate regulations for cooperative housing bodies.
The Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Rules, 1961, have been amended to add a dedicated chapter for housing societies, laying down clear procedures for registration, membership, nominations, succession records, charges, funds and day-to-day administration — expected to reduce confusion on many long-standing issues.
To register a new society, the name must first be reserved and permission obtained to open a bank account, after which the registration application must be filed within two months. Registrars are now bound to decide on applications within 30 days.
New members must submit a registered sale agreement or other valid documents to gain membership.Clear rules also govern succession and nomination: after a flat owner’s death, ownership transfer will follow nomination, lawful heirs, or family arrangements. If there is a dispute over succession, the society cannot directly transfer ownership — a succession certificate or a competent court’s order will be required.
The biggest change concerns financial management: societies must now mandatorily maintain a Repair Fund, Major Repair Fund, Sinking Fund, Education and Training Fund, Election Fund and Welfare Fund. The rules also specify how service charges, property tax, water charges, lift maintenance, parking charges, insurance and non-occupancy charges are to be levied and distributed among members, along with provisions for regular training for members, office-bearers and staff. The rules will directly affect thousands of housing societies and lakhs of flat owners across the state.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com