Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA), the housing regulatory body in Maharashtra, has announced detailed regulations for retirement and senior citizen housing projects. These guidelines cover key aspects like building design, kitchens, bathrooms, green building practices, accessibility features, and safety and security measures. This makes MahaRERA the first housing regulator in India to introduce provisions specifically for senior living communities. With the notification, these regulations have been implemented in Maharashtra with immediate effect. Developers must now ensure any project marketed as senior or retirement housing meets these physical specifications.
Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA), the housing regulatory body in Maharashtra, has announced detailed regulations for retirement and senior citizen housing projects. These guidelines cover key aspects like building design, kitchens, bathrooms, green building practices, accessibility features, and safety and security measures.
This makes MahaRERA the first housing regulator in India to introduce provisions specifically for senior living communities. The aim is to ensure such projects provide necessary amenities and facilities for retired residents. The move was taken up as many developers were misleadingly advertising general housing as 'retirement homes' without meeting basic senior-friendly standards.
MahaRERA Chairman Ajoy Mehta had said that housing projects specifically for retired seniors are becoming a necessary part of society as it changes. While many developers are launching such projects to meet the growing demand, these constructions do not appear to adequately consider the very basic needs of the intended residents, who are retired seniors.
Developers must now comply with these minimum physical standards when executing such projects. With the implementation of the regulation across Maharashtra, developers will now have to include the provisions in the agreement for sale as well.
In early February, MahaRERA had issued a circular on draft model guidelines for retirement and senior citizen housing projects and had invited suggestions and views from various stakeholders. The draft was prepared based on the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issued model guidelines on the subject.
On the draft model guidelines, MahaRERA received a favourable response and several useful suggestions were made including from the senior citizens and their organisations. While finalising the Minimum physical specifications, these have been incorporated as well.
The MahaRERA guidelines for retirement housing projects include several accessibility and safety provisions for senior citizens. Some of the key provisions are that buildings must have elevators accessible to wheelchairs, and internal and external designs allowing wheelchair movement including ramps. Doorways should be at least 900mm wide, preferably sliding, with easy-to-grip levers and knobs. Furniture must be ergonomically designed, lightweight and without sharp edges. All elevators must have audio-visual displays and at least one must accommodate stretchers. Staircases should be at least 1500mm wide with handrails on both sides, and not more than 12 steps between landings. Also, corridors cannot include steps.
Apart from that, Kitchens must have gas detectors and natural light/ventilation. Bathrooms and wash areas should have grab rails. Toilet paper holders must withstand heavy loads. Non-slip tiles are mandatory in bath areas. Bathroom doors must open outwards. Retirement homes require backup power in bathrooms and kitchens. Bedside and bathroom emergency alarms and lights are also required.
It has also stated that security guards must be trained in senior care needs and intercom systems are needed at entry doors, toilets, bedrooms and common areas. Emergency contacts must also be displayed prominently.
With the notification, these regulations have been implemented in Maharashtra with immediate effect. Developers must now ensure any project marketed as senior or retirement housing meets these physical specifications under Maharashtra's new regulations. MahaRERA's objective is to ensure standardised code and facilities to all the senior citizens living in these housing projects.
Overall, the MahaRERA guidelines are an important step towards enabling independent and dignified living for senior members of society. With the implementation of these comprehensive guidelines, MahaRERA has set an important precedent for other states to introduce similar regulations promoting age-friendly housing infrastructure and services.
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