New Rules for Old Buildings in Maharashtra

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Mumbai: Maharashtra’s evolving rules for the redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings are expected to have an important impact on property owners, housing societies and homebuyers. The state’s Housing Policy 2025 proposes clearer norms for redevelopment of old rented buildings, while existing provisions under MHADA and development regulations provide frameworks for several categories of ageing properties.

For old cessed buildings in Mumbai, Section 79A of the MHADA Act provides a time-bound redevelopment mechanism. A landlord gets six months to submit a redevelopment proposal with the required consent of at least 51% of tenants or occupants. If this does not happen, the cooperative housing society can submit its own proposal within the following six months.

For owners and tenants living in ageing buildings, the changes could make redevelopment a more practical option. A successful redevelopment project can potentially provide. Safer and structurally upgraded buildings, Modern amenities and improved infrastructure, Better utilisation of valuable land, Additional residential space where permitted under development regulations, Improved living conditions for eligible residents. However, redevelopment is not automatic. Property owners and societies still need to verify the building's legal status, land title, structural condition, applicable development regulations and eligibility under the relevant redevelopment scheme.

Buyers considering flats in older buildings should carefully verify the building’s structural condition, redevelopment status, title documents, occupancy certificate (OC), approvals and society records. They should also check whether the property is already covered by a redevelopment proposal or agreement.

Redevelopment can potentially bring modern amenities, improved infrastructure and additional development potential. However, buyers should understand that an old building is not automatically required to be demolished simply because of its age. The building’s structural condition and applicable regulations are important factors.

Homebuyers should seek professional legal and technical advice before purchasing a property in an old or redevelopment-prone building. Documents relating to ownership, development rights, existing tenants, approvals and redevelopment agreements can significantly affect the property's future.

With Maharashtra placing greater emphasis on structured redevelopment and clearer norms, the changes could gradually reshape the market for older residential properties across Mumbai and other parts of the state.

Maharashtra's latest measures indicate a stronger policy push toward safety, redevelopment and more efficient use of urban land. The success of the reforms, however, will depend on how efficiently authorities implement the rules and how transparently societies, landlords and developers execute individual projects.

Maharashtra's latest measures indicate a stronger policy push toward safety, redevelopment and more efficient use of urban land. The success of the reforms, however, will depend on how efficiently authorities implement the rules and how transparently societies, landlords and developers execute individual projects.

For property owners, the message is clear, before proceeding with redevelopment, societies should carefully examine the applicable MHADA and local development regulations, obtain professional legal and structural advice, and ensure that redevelopment agreements clearly define rehabilitation, rent, timelines, responsibilities and protections for residents.