Pune: MahaRERA Orders Lodha Developers To Clarify ‘Refuge Floor’ Status, Refund Excess Maintenance In Belmondo Dispute
Pune: MahaRERA Orders Lodha Developers To Clarify ‘Refuge Floor’ Status, Refund Excess Maintenance In Belmondo Dispute
Pune, April 18, 2026: The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has passed an important order in a dispute between Lodha Developers Limited and a homebuyer over a flat in the Lodha Belmondo project near Pune. The authority has directed the developer to clarify the legal classification of the flat and refund maintenance charges collected before possession.
The complaint was filed by homebuyers Shweta Singh and Deepak Gaikwad, who alleged that the apartment they purchased for around ₹1.53 crore in Tower 29 was marketed as a residential unit but was shown as a “refuge floor” in approved plans issued by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). Refuge floors are typically reserved for fire safety and are not meant for residential use, raising concerns of misrepresentation.
The buyers also sought a replacement unit within the project, claiming unfair trade practices. They argued that documents provided by the developer, including an architect’s certificate, could not override officially sanctioned building plans that define such structural classifications.
In response, Lodha Developers denied any wrongdoing, stating that the flat is located on a habitable level and that the floor numbering cited in marketing materials was based on internal conventions commonly used in the real estate sector. The company further claimed that the buyers had accepted possession after reviewing all available documents, which had been accessible on the MahaRERA portal since 2018.
Presiding over the matter, MahaRERA member Mahesh Pathak observed that while the authority ensures regulatory compliance and transparency, the final determination of whether a floor qualifies as a refuge area falls under the jurisdiction of PMRDA. However, he noted discrepancies between the developer’s marketing representations and official approvals.
MahaRERA has now directed Lodha Developers to submit a certified clarification from PMRDA within 30 days confirming the legal status of the flat. The developer has also been instructed to align the Occupation Certificate (OC) with the actual floor numbering presented to buyers.
Additionally, the authority ruled that maintenance charges can only be levied from the date of possession, identified as February 21, 2025. Any amount collected prior to this must be refunded or adjusted within 30 days.
While the authority did not approve the buyers’ request for a replacement flat due to the absence of such provisions in the agreement, it allowed them to approach PMRDA for further clarification. The ruling underscores the need for developers to ensure consistency between promotional claims and statutory approvals, reinforcing transparency in real estate transactions.
