Starting August 8, officers will inspect societies to ensure that none of the owners renting out flats are billed over 10% non-occupancy charge
In order to ensure that the societies do not fleece flat owners renting out their apartments by levying arbitrary charges, the Deputy Registrar of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will be inspecting registered societies across Maharashtra.
Rajmata housing society in Vikhroli will be the first society to be inspected by MHADA on August 8. Pic/Sneha Kharabe
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The inspection will start from Rajmata housing society in Vikhroli, which the MHADA officers will visit on August 8. The inspection was constituted following allegations of malpractice against the society office bearers by one of the flat owners.
Vaibhav Jambekar had registered a complaint with the deputy registrar in 2012, accusing the society of levying exorbitant amounts under the garb of non-occupancy charges. “I was billed Rs 1,000 monthly as the non-occupancy charge in maintenance. Despite my objection, the office bearers continued this practice. Finally, I lodged a complaint with MHADA. After hearing both the sides, the deputy registrar instructed the society in December 2015 to refund the additional amount. To ensure that the rule is being followed, an inspection has been ordered,” Jambekar said.
Official speak
Speaking to mid-day, Nitin Kale, deputy registrar, MHADA, said, “As per rules, a society can’t levy more than 10 per cent of the maintenance (excluding property tax) as non-occupancy charges. But there are three clauses for the applicability of these charges. First: the licence agreement of the flat should be registered; second: the flat owner should declare in advance about their house being leased; and third: flat owners should register details of their tenants in advance. The inspection on August 8 is to ensure that all these procedures are being fulfilled in order for the society to not charge extra money from owners renting out their flats.”
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