Digital portal, strict oversight, and special courts to ease housing pressure.

Maharashtra to Build Robust System for Affordable Rental Housing in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra government has announced a comprehensive plan to create an effective and affordable rental housing system in Mumbai, aiming to address the growing demand driven by large-scale migration for jobs and business opportunities. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed authorities to develop a dedicated digital portal that will seamlessly connect tenants with suitable rental properties while ensuring transparency and compliance. Emphasising that supply must match demand, the Chief Minister said the new system should protect the interests of both landlords and tenants through legally binding agreements and close administrative monitoring. To strengthen enforcement of rental laws, he ordered that deputy commissioners of police be designated as competent authorities under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999, with the number of such authorities increasing as police jurisdictions expand. To fast-track dispute resolution, the government plans to establish 100 special rent courts staffed by retired judges and explore evening courts to clear long-pending cases, even if additional premises need to be hired.