Regulator warns Planning Authorities to confirm authenticity of Occupancy Certificates within 10 days or bear full responsibility for discrepancies
In response to the recent fake construction document scandal in Kalyan-Dombivali, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has launched a sweeping verification drive for Occupancy Certificates (OCs) of 3,699 lapsed real estate projects across the state. The most affected is the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with 1,819 projects under scrutiny, leaving their future hanging in the balance.
MahaRERA’s Directive to Planning Authorities
MahaRERA has issued letters to all concerned Planning Authorities, instructing them to verify the authenticity of the OCs uploaded on its portal by developers whose projects had previously lapsed. Developers had responded to MahaRERA’s notices by claiming completion and uploading OCs online.
Planning Authorities now have 10 days to confirm whether these OCs were genuinely issued. If no response is received within the stipulated time, MahaRERA will treat the certificates as authentic. Any discrepancies discovered later will result in complete liability falling on the concerned authority, including financial and legal consequences.
Why OC Verification Matters
Under RERA guidelines:
- Developers can only sell homes after project registration.
- Promoters must submit quarterly progress reports and audit updates.
- Upon completion, they must upload the OC issued by Planning Authorities.
- Only after MahaRERA accepts the OC can developers withdraw remaining project funds and cease regulatory disclosures.
This process ensures transparency and buyer protection, especially in cases of lapsed or delayed projects.
Breakdown of the 3,699 Projects by Region
Below is a region-wise and district-wise classification of the projects undergoing OC verification:
OC Verification Status: Region-Wise Distribution
| Region | No. of Projects |
|---|---|
| Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) | 1,819 |
| Pune Region | 1,223 |
| Nashik Region | 273 |
| Ch. Sambhajinagar Region | 132 |
| Amravati Region | 84 |
| Nagpur Region | 168 |
| Total | 3,699 |
District-Wise Breakdown
Mumbai Metropolitan Region (1,819 Projects)
| District | Projects |
|---|---|
| Mumbai City | 106 |
| Mumbai Suburb | 430 |
| Thane | 557 |
| Palghar | 175 |
| Raigad | 415 |
| Ratnagiri | 86 |
| Sindhudurg | 50 |
Pune Region (1,223 Projects)
| District | Projects |
|---|---|
| Pune | 1,015 |
| Kolhapur | 49 |
| Satara | 69 |
| Sangli | 55 |
| Solapur | 35 |
Nashik Region (273 Projects)
| District | Projects |
|---|---|
| Nashik | 226 |
| Ahilyanagar | 23 |
| Jalgaon | 19 |
| Dhule | 3 |
| Nandurbar | 2 |
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Region (132 Projects)
| District | Projects |
|---|---|
| Ch. Sambhajinagar | 101 |
| Beed | 3 |
| Jalna | 9 |
| Latur | 10 |
| Nanded | 5 |
| Dharashiv | 3 |
| Parbhani | 1 |
Amravati Region (84 Projects)
| District | Projects |
|---|---|
| Amravati | 48 |
| Akola | 15 |
| Wardha | 8 |
| Buldhana | 7 |
| Yavatmal | 5 |
| Washim | 1 |
Nagpur Region (168 Projects)
| District | Projects |
|---|---|
| Nagpur | 144 |
| Chandrapur | 22 |
| Bhandara | 1 |
| Gadchiroli | 1 |
What’s Next for Homebuyers and Developers?
If Planning Authorities confirm the validity of OCs, these 3,699 projects will be officially marked as completed, allowing developers to move forward with fund withdrawals and closure of regulatory requirements. However, if discrepancies arise later, affected buyers could face legal complications and delays in possession.
MahaRERA’s firm stance ensures greater accountability and aims to prevent further misuse of the system by unauthorised developers, while safeguarding the interests of genuine homebuyers.
Also Read: MahaRERA cancels registration of 15 projects in KDMC
