Maharashtra has around 1.25 lakh housing societies with over 2 crore members. Of these, 70% of the societies are located in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The Maharashtra state government will soon be implementing revised rules for cooperative housing societies, a draft of which was published on April 15, 2025, and has been shared for public feedback.
The Draft Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Rules, 2025 introduces significant reforms in fee structure, governance, and redevelopment processes so that the management of cooperative housing societies in Maharashtra is in pace with modern-day digital needs. This revision has been done to simplify the rules and regulations, bring in improved governance and transparent operations, and reduce interference by the Maharashtra government.
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Mentioned below are the proposals that are part of the Draft Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Rules, 2025.
Society registration charges
The society registration charges have been increased to Rs 5,000 from the existing Rs 2,500 in the draft proposal. This revision has been done after several years in sync with rising costs.
Holding virtual AGMs
More and more people over the years have demanded virtual AGMs due to the inability to attend physically but a desire to participate in society affairs. This demand is being addressed in the new draft for cooperative housing societies in Maharashtra with the proposal of holding virtual annual general meetings (AGMs) that may incorporate virtual participation. The quorum for the virtual AGM is proposed to be two-thirds attendance or 20 members (whichever is lower). All decisions made during the virtual AGM should require a simple majority (51%).
See also: Society AGM meeting rules in Maharashtra in 2025
Effective working of managing committee
To enable timely decisions, the managing committee can approve a one-time expenditure of Rs 3 lakh without the need to hold a general body meeting. Also, societies will have the authority to fill casual vacancies in managing committees without registrar intervention. The draft also introduces a formal process for society name reservation under Rule 106 C-2 that replaces the vague procedure followed previously.
Read also: What is the Resident Welfare Association? What are its power and responsibilities?
Redevelopment
The Maharashtra draft rules propose that cooperative housing societies may be permitted to raise loans up to 10 times the land cost for redevelopment. This will help societies negotiate better with private developers interested in redevelopment or provide cooperative societies an option for self-redevelopment.
Before calling a meeting to discuss redevelopment, a 14-day notice must be given. All virtual meetings where redevelopment is discussed should be video-recorded. Additionally, during the selection of a builder or contractor for redevelopment, it is mandatory for a registrar’s representative to be present.
Premised societies
A category called ‘Premised societies’ will be added, including shops and commercial entities, making them part of the cooperative housing society. This will help them legally get their share in redevelopment whenever the building decides to proceed.
Standard service charges irrespective of configuration
As per the new draft, the Maharashtra government has proposed that all service charges for common area use will be divided equally among flats irrespective of carpet area. This aims to bring uniform maintenance billing. However, water charges will be calculated based on the number of taps in the house. The general body will be responsible for decisions on car parking service charges. The non-occupancy charges levied will maintain status quo—up to 10% of service charges. Additionally, a housing society’s annual collections should include a sinking fund of at least 0.25% annually and a repair and maintenance fund of 0.75% of the building’s construction cost. The society is also responsible to plan and maintain reserve fund, education and training fund, and cultural and welfare fund.
Read here about the Society maintenance charges that buyers need to be aware of
Lower interest on a member’s outstanding dues
The Maharashtra draft rules have proposed reducing the interest on a housing member’s outstanding dues to 12% from the existing 21%. This move is believed to reduce the severe negative financial impact on residents.
Authorising legal heir
According to the Maharashtra draft rules, a new category called ‘provisional members’ is proposed, which will give nominees voting rights after the death of the member even before the official transfer of property ownership.
The draft will incorporate all objections and suggestions made by the public, after which it will be sent to the principal secretary of the cooperation department for verification. Once approved, the draft will be notified.
Housing.com POV
The Maharashtra co-operative housing societies 2025 will streamline the process in which a society will function, making the day to day process seamless. Once the draft is approved redevelopment will also get a direction as now societies can raise loans up to 10 times the land cost for redevelopment. Additionally, this will also ensure more people participation in society matters with AGM allowed to be held virtually.
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