Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016 places significant emphasis on the Quality of Construction.
Section 14(3) of the Act stipulates that “In case any structural defect or any other defect in workmanship, quality or provision of services or any other obligations of the promoter as per the agreement for sale relating to such development is brought to the notice of the promoter within a period of five years by the allottee from the date of handing over possession, it shall be the duty of the promoter to rectify such defects without further charge within thirty days, and in the event of the promoter’s failure to rectify such defects within such time, the aggrieved allottees shall be entitled to receive appropriate compensation in the manner as provided under this Act.”
While the Act does provide remedial measures for defect rectification, it is essential to recognize that the best approach to safeguarding the interests of homebuyers is not limited to offering remedies after defects have surfaced. Instead, the focus should be on establishing processes and standards that minimize the likelihood of defects occurring in the first place.
MahaRERA’s Proactive Approach to Quality Assurance
MahaRERA proposes a proactive approach centered on quality assurance as its primary objective. This approach supports preventing defects from arising initially, thereby obviating the need for costly rework. By ensuring rigorous standards of material quality and workmanship throughout the construction process, real estate projects can be executed with a defect-free outcome that adheres to strict quality standards.
This proactive stance not only benefits homebuyers by delivering high-quality homes but also contributes significantly to the sustainability and reputation of the real estate industry. It highlights the importance of quality assurance as a preemptive measure rather than just a reactive one, ultimately bolstering the trust and confidence of homebuyers in the real estate market.
In light of this, MahaRERA has developed a Quality Assurance Certificate wherein the promoter shall report on a yearly basis on the following four parameters:
- Structural Design, Stability, and Testing
- Quality of Input Materials
- Quality of Workmanship
- Miscellaneous
The declaration shall be displayed to homebuyers for informed decision-making. Therefore, MahaRERA has prepared a draft declaration on Quality Assurance to be given by the Site Supervisor/Site Engineer, duly certified and submitted by the promoter on a yearly basis. The proposed Form 2A shall replace the existing Form 24.