Maharashtra Halts Registration of Sale Deeds for Flats in Unauthorised Buildings
The Maharashtra government has ordered an immediate halt to the registration of documents for the sale and transfer of flats in unauthorised buildings that violate planning norms. The order, announced on October 13, 2026, is aimed at curbing illegal construction and fraud in property transactions.
Who issued the order
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule took the decision. The Revenue Department has issued a circular directing all sub-registrars across the state to comply strictly with the new guidelines. Officials who knowingly register documents in violation of the order will face departmental inquiries.
Why the government acted
The move follows complaints about several kinds of violations:
- Buildings constructed without the required permissions
- Residential structures in zones not designated for housing
- Projects operating without mandatory MahaRERA registration
- Flats sold with areas larger than those approved by planning authorities
Such cases have been reported in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Haveli, Mulshi and Nagpur, among other areas.
Documents now required
The requirements depend on whether a project must register with MahaRERA.
Projects requiring MahaRERA registration: The first sale of a flat must be supported by the prescribed registration certificate or occupancy certificate, along with the sanctioned building plan.
Projects exempt from MahaRERA registration: Developers must submit the competent authority’s commencement certificate, the sanctioned plan, the zoning certificate and the measurement plan.
Area limits: A sub-registrar cannot register a document if the flat’s area in the agreement exceeds the area in the sanctioned plan.
The restrictions cover first-sale agreements, sale deeds, deeds of apartment and transfer documents for these properties.
Regularisation or demolition
Buildings that violate the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), development plans or regional planning rules must be regularised, wherever legally permissible, before their flats can be sold. Structures that cannot be regularised may face demolition proceedings.
What it means for buyers
Before signing, buyers should check the sanctioned plan, the zoning certificate, the commencement certificate, and either the MahaRERA registration or the occupancy certificate, depending on the project. They should also confirm that the flat’s area in the agreement matches the sanctioned plan. A flat that fails these checks may not be registered, which could affect both the sale and the buyer’s title.
What it means for developers
Developers will need complete approvals before registration. Projects with area discrepancies or zoning problems will face closer scrutiny at the registration stage, and those that cannot be regularised may face demolition.
Disclaimer for 123bhk.in
The information in this article is based on public reports and a circular issued by the Maharashtra Revenue Department, and is provided for general awareness only. It is not legal, financial or property advice. Rules on property registration can change, and the circular’s exact wording and effective conditions may differ from the summary here. 123bhk.in does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or currency of this information. Before buying, selling or registering any property, readers should check the official circular on the Revenue Department’s website and consult a qualified lawyer, the relevant planning authority or a sub-registrar. 123bhk.in accepts no liability for any loss or decision made on the basis of this article.