Housing Development Act or Maharashtra Housing Regulation and Development Act (HRA act)

Housing Development Act or Maharashtra Housing Regulation and Development Act (HRA act)

Way back in 1963, the state of Maharashtra ownership of flats (Regulation of the promotion of construction, sale, management and transfer) Act 1963 (MOFA) to prevent abuses and malpractices related to the construction and sale of the flats

One of the main problems of MOFA is the absence of an effective regulatory mechanism. The act attempts to over ride this problem by establishing regulatory authorities. The act will repeat MOFA.

Presidential assent to Maharashtra Housing (Regulation and Development) Act 2012 in feb. this year, the state is all set to establish a new authority to regulate the housing sector in the state. This act sets to bring about sweeping changes to the organization and management of real estate sector, which is largely unorganized at present.

Object of this Act

1. Regulate and promote construction, sale, management and transfer of flats on ownership basis

2. Establish Housing Regulatory Authority (HRA) and Housing Appellate Tribunal (HAT)

The functions of HRA

1. Ensuring compliance of obligation cast upon promoters and allotters under the act.

2. Causing an enquiry into compliance of its order and direction

3. Levying fees and charges

4. Reporting matters to the appropriate authority for action against promoters and allotters for commission of any offence.

5. Hosting and maintaining a website of record of all housing projects within its jurisdiction.

6. Making recommendation in relation to development control regulation, changes in FSI and other related matters

7. Performing such other functions relating to housing projects as may be entrusted to HRA

8. Conducting an enquiry upon receiving complaints and passing reasoned order