NOC from District Deputy Registrar Not Mandatory for Redevelopment of Housing Societies: Bombay High Court

Pune, 21st October 2025: In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court has clarified that housing societies are not required to obtain permission or a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the District Deputy Registrar (DDR) for redevelopment or self-redevelopment projects. The decision is expected to expedite thousands of stalled housing redevelopment projects across Maharashtra.

According to data, Maharashtra has around 1,26,500 housing societies and nearly 2 lakh apartment complexes, collectively housing over 5 million families. About 80 percent of these are located in urban centers like Pune, Thane, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai. Currently, nearly half of the housing societies are awaiting redevelopment or self-redevelopment approval.

The confusion stemmed from a state government circular issued on July 4, 2019, which raised questions about whether societies needed formal approval from the DDR before proceeding with redevelopment. The High Court’s order has now removed that ambiguity, paving the way for faster execution of redevelopment projects.

Suhas Patwardhan, President of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Housing Society and Apartment Federation, welcomed the decision, saying, “The DDR does not have the authority to interfere in redevelopment matters. It is the duty of the Deputy Registrar to ensure that the process is transparent — from issuing notices for the special general meeting to selecting architects and project consultants properly.”

Patwardhan further explained that under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, there is no legal requirement for cooperative societies to seek approval from the Deputy Registrar for redevelopment. The general body meeting of the society alone holds the power to decide how redevelopment should proceed.

He added that the court took note of instances where intermediaries were exploiting society members, leading to misuse and delays. The High Court has directed that such interference be stopped immediately.
“This decision will not only protect the interests of housing society members but also boost confidence in the redevelopment and self-redevelopment process,” Patwardhan said.

What Is Redevelopment and Self-Redevelopment?
Redevelopment refers to reconstruction carried out through a private developer who undertakes the project on behalf of the housing society.
Self-redevelopment occurs when a society independently redevelops its property, managing the process without involving any external developer.
The ruling is seen as a landmark judgment that will bring clarity, transparency, and momentum to Maharashtra’s vast housing sector.