PUNE: The much-anticipated discussion around the proposed vertical property cards for apartment owners is set for the upcoming monsoon session of the state legislature starting Monday. This initiative aims to establish independent ownership records for flats and is currently pending final legal approval, according to officials from the state settlement commissioner’s office, as reported by TOI.
Officials indicate that the proposal is presently with the law and judiciary department, following several rounds of assessment and modifications. A senior official noted, “The proposal has now been sent to the government for its final review. Given that its implementation necessitates adjustments to various statutes, including the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act (MOFA) and the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, it is expected to be discussed within the assembly session.”
This project, which has been under consideration for almost four years, has been advocated by the revenue department in an effort to modernize land records and increase transparency in property ownership. Initial indications suggested that the proposal would be presented directly to the state cabinet; however, the requirement for legislative changes has necessitated its return to the assembly.
If approved, Maharashtra could lead the way as the first state in India to adopt a comprehensive vertical property card system. Currently, property ownership in urban areas relies on a general property card, while rural records are based on the 7/12 extract, with no specific governmental record to verify ownership of individual apartments in high-rise buildings.
The proposed system aims to fill this gap by creating distinct revenue records for each flat. While the existing land record (property card or 7/12 extract) will remain the main document for the land itself, the vertical property card will act as the “record of rights” for individual units.
The card will document the owner’s name, precise carpet area, proportional land share, and details of any mortgages or encumbrances.
Under the proposed framework, the initial phase will focus on newly constructed buildings and MahaRERA-registered projects, while older housing societies will be integrated during the second phase, necessitating that these societies apply for the cards once the policy is officially published.
Revenue officials are optimistic that this initiative will significantly reduce ownership disputes, streamline resale and inheritance procedures, and aid owners in securing housing finance. “This proposal has been in discussion for years. Currently, flat owners lack a definitive government record to establish ownership of their individual units,” remarked Jitendra Kothari, a member of a housing society committee in Kondhwa. “It is crucial for the government to implement this system.”
Urban planning experts have pointed out that the existing land record system is inadequate for high-rise living. “A vertical property card will establish a clearer ownership trail, making property transactions far more transparent,” one expert noted.
