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PUNE: The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has launched a statewide verification process for 2,600 Occupancy Certificates (OCs) submitted by developers through its official portal. These certificates are being sent to the relevant planning authorities for validation to prevent any potential discrepancies or forgeries, as reported by officials on Saturday.
This initiative follows the repercussions of the Dombivli scam, where developers allegedly utilized falsified approvals to construct illegal buildings across numerous projects.
This crackdown is a direct consequence of the 2022 Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) scandal, which involved 65 unauthorized structures built with forged documents, such as fake 7/12 land records, altered building plans, and counterfeit MahaRERA registrations. The scandal resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals, including developers and agents, and spurred a Bombay High Court-ordered demolition drive that displaced over 6,500 residents.
A senior official from MahaRERA stated, “Numerous developers have uploaded Occupancy Certificates on the MahaRERA portal. We are in the process of verifying them with the respective planning authorities.” The OC serves as a completion certificate for real estate projects.
Based on a prior directive from the state’s Urban Development Department (UDD), planning authorities must send verified Commencement Certificates (CCs), building plans, and OCs to a designated MahaRERA email, especially if their websites lack integration. While many authorities have provided CCs and building plans, it has been noted that OCs are frequently not uploaded by developers.
To date, only 136 OCs have been verified, with the rest still pending. Officials mentioned that integrating local authority websites with the MahaRERA portal could have hastened this process.
“We have been advocating for website integration for several months. Only Mumbai’s municipal corporation has finalized integration, while others are facing technical issues currently being addressed by the Maharashtra IT department,” the official added.
MahaRERA is also examining whether the submitted certificates indicate full or partial occupancy, due to past incidents where developers misrepresented partial OCs as complete approvals to mislead homebuyers. “While developers upload these certificates, we want to ensure accuracy,” the official remarked.
MahaRERA is instructing planning authorities to verify OCs within a specified timeframe. Should there be no response in that period, the certificates will automatically be considered valid. Any discrepancies discovered afterward will hold the relevant authorities accountable. “Homebuyers must access verified Commencement and Occupancy Certificates before making purchase decisions. This verification drive is essential for rebuilding trust in Maharashtra’s real estate market,” one MahaRERA official stated.
Many homebuyers have expressed concerns, noting that while project details are accessible via the MahaRERA registration number, OCs are often incomplete. “Developers usually upload CCs and building plans, but frequently neglect OCs, and local authorities fail to follow up,” officials observed.
A Pune resident shared, “The developer claimed to have an OC, but it’s not available on the MahaRERA site. It’s confusing for buyers. The verification process needs to be simplified,” said Priya P., a first-time buyer.
As per MahaRERA regulations, developers must register their projects prior to selling units, submit quarterly progress and financial statements, and upload verified OCs before accessing project funds from escrow accounts. This verification initiative is viewed as a pivotal measure in enhancing regulatory compliance and safeguarding buyers against fraud, according to an official.
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