Maharashtra Government Prohibits Registration of Unauthorized Property Documents
New guidelines aim to prevent illegal construction and protect homebuyers from financial losses.
Sub-Registrars are barred from registering documents for properties exceeding approved plans.
Developers must provide necessary certificates for properties under the MahaRERA Act.
Unauthorized buildings will face demolition proceedings if not regularized.
In a significant move to combat illegal construction, the Maharashtra government has issued new directives prohibiting Sub-Registrars from registering documents related to unauthorized properties. This decision, announced on October 14, 2026, aims to safeguard homebuyers and ensure compliance with existing regulations.
The Revenue Department's circular mandates that Sub-Registrars must refrain from registering any property documents where the area of a flat exceeds the dimensions outlined in the sanctioned building plan. This measure comes in response to numerous complaints regarding unauthorized constructions in non-residential zones and developers' failure to adhere to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA).
Under the updated guidelines, developers intending to sell flats for the first time in projects requiring registration under the MahaRERA Act must submit essential documents, including the registration certificate, occupancy certificate, and the approved building plan. For projects exempt from RERA registration, a commencement certificate, sanctioned plan, zone certificate, and measurement map are necessary. The government emphasizes that properties in unauthorized buildings violating the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) cannot be sold until they are regularized.
This initiative is expected to have a profound impact on the real estate market in Maharashtra, particularly in protecting potential homebuyers from financial pitfalls associated with unauthorized properties. Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule highlighted the government's responsibility to prevent citizens from losing their life savings due to investments in illegal constructions.
Looking ahead, the government has warned that Sub-Registrars who violate these guidelines by registering unauthorized properties will face departmental inquiries. As the authorities continue to crack down on illegal constructions, the focus will remain on regularizing existing unauthorized buildings or initiating demolition proceedings against those that cannot be legalized.
