Maharashtra RERA Faces Growing Backlog and Execution Issues

In recent years, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has been seen as a vital mechanism for safeguarding homebuyers' interests, offering them a platform to seek justice and resolution in disputes with developers. However, with over 8,000 complaints currently pending, many homebuyers are finding it increasingly difficult to get the relief they expected from the regulator. Experts believe that the system is struggling under the weight of its workload and needs significant reforms to improve efficiency and execution.

Challenges Faced by Homebuyers and Delayed Resolutions

A key concern among homebuyers is the significant delay in resolving their grievances. One such case involves Sumeet Mehta, a Goregaon resident who has been waiting since January 2024 for the execution of a MahaRERA order that mandates a developer to sign an agreement for sale. Despite paying up to 75% of the total cost, Mehta's issue remains unresolved. The order also included a penalty for non-compliance, which is still pending collection. This delay highlights the broader issue: While MahaRERA issues orders, the execution of these orders is often stalled, leaving homebuyers without the much-needed relief.

In some instances, the regulator has directed developers to execute registered agreements for sale and compensate homebuyers for delayed possession. However, enforcement has proven problematic. One particular case was transferred to a district judge after the developer disregarded the order. In several complaints, hearings have been delayed by over two years, and cases can take years to even be heard, much less resolved.

A Strained System: MahaRERA's Limited Capacity

MahaRERA is grappling with a backlog of cases, and experts suggest that its current structure is insufficient to meet the growing demand for intervention. According to Ramesh Prabhu, a representative for homebuyers at MahaRERA, many complaints that were filed in 2021 and 2022