Categories Co-operative Housing Society Advocate

Can a Co-operative Housing Society charge higher maintenance from a tenant (i.e., Rented flat) than from a flat owner? | Advocate Paresh M Modi

Can a Co-operative Housing Society charge higher maintenance from a tenant (i.e., Rented flat) than from a flat owner? | Advocate Paresh M Modi

No, a co-operative society cannot charge extra maintenance from a tenant as compared to an owner. However, the society may charge “Non-Occupancy Charges”, not exceeding 10% of the service charges, if the flat is given on rent.

Applicable Law and Rules:

1. Model Bye-laws of Co-operative Housing Societies (Gujarat / Maharashtra / etc.)

  • Bye-law 43 (Maharashtra) / Similar in Gujarat

“A member may let out his flat, but the society may levy non-occupancy charges as permitted by law. These charges shall not exceed 10% of the service charges.”

2. Circulars / Guidelines:

  • Maharashtra Govt. Circular (2001) (followed as precedent in other states too):

Non-occupancy charges cannot exceed 10% of the service charges, and societies cannot impose additional or arbitrary maintenance charges from tenants.

Important Judgments:

✅ Monica Co-op Hsg Society vs. State of Maharashtra & Ors (Bombay High Court)

The court held that societies cannot discriminate against tenants by charging them more maintenance. Only non-occupancy charges can be levied from the owner, not the tenant.

✅ Irene Alvares vs. Housing Society – Consumer Court

Charging excessive maintenance from tenants was termed unfair trade practice and the society was directed to refund the excess amount.

Society Cannot:

Illegal ChargesWhy Not Allowed
Extra maintenance from tenantDiscriminatory, not in bye-laws
Entry / access restriction to tenantViolates fundamental rights
Charging amenities more to tenantsArbitrary, can be challenged
Evicting tenant without owner’s consentUnlawful

Society Can:

Legal ChargesConditions
Non-Occupancy ChargesMax 10% of service charges
Clubhouse or special facilitiesIf equal for all users
Penalty if tenant violates society rulesAfter due notice

Remedies for Tenants / Owners:

  1. Send a Legal Notice to the society objecting to excess charges.

  2. File a complaint before the Co-operative Court / Deputy Registrar.

  3. File a complaint before Consumer Forum for refund and compensation.

  4. Seek injunction if society is harassing or restricting tenant.

Conclusion:

✅ Maintenance charges must be equal for all. A tenant cannot be asked to pay more maintenance than what is applicable to the owner. Only reasonable non-occupancy charges (max 10%) may be charged from the flat owner when the flat is rented out.

Contact Advocate Paresh M Modi

In Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Pune, Delhi, For legal consultation or representation in matters of Housing Society, Housing Service Society and Criminal Matters like Anticipatory bail, Regular bail, Discharge Applications, Special Act Cases, FIR Quashing, Cheque Return Cases, or Criminal Appeals and For expert legal advice and services, Advocate Paresh M Modi can be contacted during office hours.

  • Office Landline: 079-48001468 (Time 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday to Saturday).
  • WhatsApp SMS: 9925002031 (Time 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM).
  • Email: advocatepmmodi@gmail.com.
  • Website: www.advocatepmmodi.in.
  • Office Address: Office No. C/112, Supath-2 Complex, Opp. Kohinoor Plaza Hotel, Near Old Wadaj Bus Stand, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380013, Gujarat, India.

Society Maintenance from Tenant & owner, Discrimination by Society Not Allowed

Author Advocate Paresh M Modi
Categories Co-operative Housing Society Advocate, Legal Disputes

Gujarat government latest GR regarding the transfer fee of society under Co-operative Housing Society Act | Advocate Paresh M Modi

Gujarat government latest GR regarding the transfer fee of society under Co-operative Housing Society Act | Advocate Paresh M Modi

The Gujarat government has recently implemented significant reforms concerning transfer fees charged by cooperative housing societies. These changes aim to promote transparency and prevent arbitrary charges during property transactions.​

Key Provisions of the New Regulations

  1. Cap on Transfer Fees: Under the newly amended Cooperative Act of 2024, societies cannot charge more than 0.5% of the property’s total consideration amount, with an upper limit of ₹1 lakh. Societies may set lower fees through their bye-laws but cannot exceed this cap. ​

  2. No Fee for Legal Heirs: If a property is transferred to legal heirs without any monetary consideration, no transfer fee is applicable.

  3. Prohibition of Additional Charges: Societies are prohibited from collecting extra charges under misleading names such as development fees, donations, or other hidden levies at the time of property transfer. ​

Legislative Background

These provisions were introduced through the Gujarat Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The amendment inserted a new section, 159A, into the Gujarat Co-operative Societies Act, 1961, empowering the government to prescribe rules for fixation of transfer fees collected by cooperative housing societies.

Enforcement and Compliance

The new rules are designed to bring greater transparency and fairness to the functioning of cooperative housing societies, benefiting numerous residents across Gujarat. If a society continues to impose fees beyond the prescribed limits or under unauthorized categories, members can file a complaint with the Registrar of Cooperative Societies under Section 96 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961. ​

For further assistance or to access the official government resolution (GR) and circulars, you may visit the official website of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Registrar or consult with a legal expert specializing in cooperative housing society laws.

GUJARATI TRANSLATION (ગુજરાતી ભાષામાં અનુવાદ)

અહીં ગુજરાત સરકારના કો-ઓપરેટિવ હાઉસિંગ સોસાયટીઓના ટ્રાન્સફર ફી સંબંધિત નવા સુધારાઓ વિશે માહિતી છે:

ગુજરાત સરકારનો કો-ઓપરેટિવ સોસાયટીઓના ટ્રાન્સફર ફી બાબતનો તાજો જી.આર. (GR)

મુખ્ય સુધારાઓ:

  1. ટ્રાન્સફર ફી પર મર્યાદા:

    • હવે સોસાયટીઓ માલમત્તાના કુલ મૂલ્યના અધિકતમ 0.5% જેટલી ટ્રાન્સફર ફી વસૂલી શકે છે.

    • પણ એ ફી ₹ 1 લાખથી વધુ ના હોઈ શકે.

    • જો સોસાયટી ઇચ્છે તો પોતાના બાયલોઝ દ્વારા વધુ ઓછી રકમ નક્કી કરી શકે છે.

    • ઉદ્દેશ એ છે કે માલમત્તા લેવડદેવડ વખતે મનમાની વસૂલી અટકાવવામાં આવે.

  2. કાયદેસર વારસદારો માટે કોઈ ફી નહીં:

    • જો મિલ્કત કાયદેસર વારસદારોને વિતરણ થાય છે અને તેમાં કોઈ મોનીટરી કનસિડેरेशन (મુલ્ય ચુકવણી) નથી, તો કોઈ ટ્રાન્સફર ફી વસૂલી શકાતી નથી.

  3. વધારાની વસૂલી પર પ્રતિબંધ:

    • ટ્રાન્સફર સમયે સોસાયટીઓ વિકાસ ફી (development fees), દાન (donations) અથવા અન્ય કોઈ પણ નામે વધારાની રકમ વસૂલી શકશે નહીં.

    • આ ખોટી રીતે વસૂલાત અટકાવવા માટે ખાસ શરતો લાગુ પાડવામાં આવી છે.

કાયદાકીય પૃષ્ઠભૂમિ:

  • આ સુધારાઓ ગુજરાત કો-ઓપરેટિવ સોસાયટીઝ (સંશોધન) બિલ, 2024 દ્વારા લાગુ કરવામાં આવ્યા છે.

  • તેમાં ગુજરાત કો-ઓપરેટિવ સોસાયટીઝ અધિનિયમ, 1961 માં નવી કલમ 159A ઉમેરવામાં આવી છે, જેના દ્વારા સરકાર સોસાયટીઓની ટ્રાન્સફર ફી નક્કી કરવા નિયમો બનાવી શકે છે.

અમલ અને પાલન:

  • હવે ટ્રાન્સફર ફી માટે પારદર્શિતા અને ન્યાયમૂલક વ્યવસ્થા લાવવામાં આવી છે.

  • જો કોઈ સોસાયટી આ મર્યાદા ભંગ કરીને વધારાની ફી વસૂલે છે, તો સભ્યો ગુજરાત કો-ઓપરેટિવ સોસાયટીઝ અધિનિયમ, 1961ની કલમ 96 મુજબ રજિસ્ટ્રાર કો-ઓપરેટિવ સોસાયટીઝ સમક્ષ ફરિયાદ કરી શકે છે.

List of districts in Gujarat, where Advocate Modi visit for the Court Cases:

Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Banaskantha, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Botad, Dahod, Dang, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kachchh, Kutch, Kheda, Mahisagar, Mehsana, Morbi, Narmada, Navsari, Panchmahal, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, Surat, Surendranagar, Tapi, Valsad, Vadodara

The name of the main cities of Gujarat, where Advocate Modi provide the legal services:

Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Gandhinagar, Junagadh

Contact Advocate Paresh M Modi

  • Mobile: +91 9925002031 (Only WhatsApp sms – Timing 9 am to 9 pm)
  • Office Landline: +91-79-48001468 (For  Appointment Only – Timing 10.30 am to 6.30 pm – On Working Days
  • Email: advocatepmmodi@gmail.com,
  • Website: www.advocatepmmodi.in
  • Office Address: Office No. C/112, Supath-2 Complex, Opp. Kohinoor Plaza Hotel, Near Old Wadaj Bus Stand, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380013, Gujarat, India.

Housing society and Satyagrah Chhavani Judgement in year 2013, Advocate Co-operative Housing Society

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Author Advocate Paresh M Modi