The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA), in a move to enhance construction quality and safeguard homebuyers, has introduced a new regulation requiring developers to submit a ‘Quality Assurance Certificate’ at the end of every financial year which must also be published on their respective websites. The amendment to the MahaRERA General Regulations, 2017, was made official with its publication in the government gazette.
The decision, aimed at ensuring higher construction standards, was made after consultations with relevant stakeholders. It seeks to minimise the need for invoking the defect liability clause, which obligates developers to rectify deficiencies in homes for up to five years after possession. The initiative is expected to raise accountability among builders and provide homebuyers with better-quality residences.
The certificate will be based on several critical factors, including the project’s structural design, stability, various quality tests, the types of materials used, and the skill level of the workforce involved. Fire safety and fire resistance measures are also key components of the certification process. Developers are required to ensure that these aspects are thoroughly documented and verified by project engineers and supervisors before making the certificate public.
MahaRERA’s new regulation underscores the importance of quality control at every stage of construction. The guidelines specify that soil testing, structural engineering appointments, on-site testing facilities for raw materials, and adherence to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) are mandatory for certification. The regulation also emphasises the need for proper documentation of critical works, such as electrical installations, water supply, drainage, and flood prevention measures, all of which must be supervised by registered contractors.
In cases where independent third parties are involved in quality checks during and after construction, their findings must be documented and certified. The developer is ultimately responsible for verifying all information and approving the ‘Quality Assurance Certificate’. This step is expected to significantly enhance the responsibility of developers and improve the overall quality of construction.
According to MahaRERA chief Ajoy Mehta, “Today, the emphasis on quality is maintained across all sectors, and the housing sector is no exception. Nevertheless, quality in this sector remains a topic of ongoing discussion and concern. MahaRERA’s effort is to raise the construction benchmark to make the provisions of the defect liability period become irrelevant. Since December, MahaRERA has been working to establish preliminary parameters to ensure that constructions are of better quality. In terms of construction quality, the certificate is based on detailed criteria regarding important factors such as the overall construction process, structural concepts, stability, various tests, the materials used in the project, and the skill level of the workforce involved in the project.
“The developer has to self-certify and make it available on their website. Since the details will be publicly available and involve the builder’s credibility, they will adopt best construction practices. MahaRERA is of the view that this will enhance developer’s accountability and homebuyers will eventually benefit in getting better quality residences.”
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