Maharashtra Bars Registration of Documents for Unauthorised Properties.

New rules require mandatory approvals and compliance certificates to protect homebuyers from illegal property transactions. The Maharashtra government has directed Sub-Registrars to stop registering documents related to unauthorised buildings and flats to protect homebuyers from financial losses. The Revenue Department’s circular requires developers selling flats for the first time in projects covered by MahaRERA to submit the project registration certificate, occupancy certificate and sanctioned building plan. For projects exempt from RERA registration, developers must provide the commencement certificate, sanctioned plan, zone certificate and measurement map. Under the new guidelines, registration will be prohibited if the flat’s area mentioned in the sale document exceeds the area approved in the sanctioned plan. Properties violating development regulations or approved plans must be regularised before sale. Buildings that cannot be regularised may face demolition proceedings. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the move aims to prevent citizens from losing their life savings by investing in unauthorised properties. The government has also warned of departmental inquiries against Sub-Registrars who deliberately register documents linked to illegal constructions.