MahaRERA Guidelines for Senior Citizens Living in Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority, or MahaRERA, has announced a set of new rules and regulations on senior living in the state to address the growing requirement for elderly-friendly housing. It is expected to enhance safety, accessibility, and quality of life in elderly homes. New rules of MahaRERA directive developments for senior persons must adhere to certain standards to not mislead the residents of elderly homes about what constitutes their housing. In this blog, the main aspects of these requirements will be discussed, along with their impacts on residents and developers.
What are the New MahaRERA Guidelines for Senior Living?
MahaRERA has announced these guidelines as a step to address many of the issues against less-than-desirable standards seen in many of these senior living projects spread all over India. It takes one step forward to develop minimum criteria for what developers should hold out for advertisement properties as senior living or retirement communities. In such a manner, MahaRERA tries to bring consistency with quality in these senior-friendly housing amongst states.
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Requirements for Senior Housing Under the MahaRERA Regulations
The new MahaRERA regulations cover multiple aspects of building design and safety to ensure that senior living communities provide a safe, accessible, and comfortable environment for residents. Here’s a breakdown of the essential features mandated by MahaRERA:
1. Building Design
- Wheelchair-Friendly Lifts: In order to guarantee that all levels are accessible to people with mobility requirements, buildings with several stories are required to include lifts that can handle wheelchairs.
- Wider Doorways: To facilitate wheelchair or walker mobility, openings in doors should be no less than 900 mm wide.
- User-Friendly Fixtures: To save pressure on elderly people, door handles and knobs must be made with a smooth grip in mind. These communities also require furniture that is robust, lightweight, and free of sharp edges.
2. Environmentally Friendly Buildings
MahaRERA standards place a strong emphasis on the use of renewable, non-polluting energy sources in senior living communities in order to foster a safe and healthy environment. This complies with the model building regulations and limits exposure to dangerous emissions. The goal of these projects is to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable areas that benefit both people and the environment.
3. Mobility Aids like Ramps and Lifts
- Inclusive Lifts with Audio and Visual Signage: To help residents, especially those with vision or hearing problems, senior living homes should include lifts with clear visual and audible indications.
- Required Ramps: To guarantee wheelchair accessibility at all entrances and exits, ramps must be placed throughout the building.
4. Safer Staircases and Corridors
Railings on both sides and treads and risers that meet standards appropriate for senior citizens should be installed on staircases. Long staircases should be avoided or limited to prevent falls, and steps should be illuminated with neon or phosphorus strips to improve visibility.
- Corridor Safety and Accessibility Level Corridors: Avoid using steps in corridors, and if they are necessary, use ramps.
- Handrails Along Walls: Handrails at senior-friendly heights must be erected along hallway walls for further support.
These additions aim to make senior living communities safe and easily navigable for residents.
5. Bathrooms and Kitchens
For increased safety, gas leak detection devices ought to be installed in the kitchens of retirement senior living communities. To guarantee safety and assistance, bathrooms must include grab bars next to sinks, outward-opening doors, and anti-skid surfaces. The purpose of these instructions is to make regular bathroom and kitchen activities safer for senior citizens.
6. Ventilation and Lighting
In order to avoid any discomfort during power cuts, every apartment should have an emergency power system, particularly for spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. Additionally, to keep senior living areas comfortable and well-lit, appropriate lighting and ventilation standards—described by the National Building Code (NBC) and model building regulations must be followed.
7. Comprehensive Safety and Security Measures
Safety is a top priority for senior living communities. The MahaRERA regulations require:
- Emergency Alarms: To guarantee that assistance is readily available in an emergency, these should be placed at the major entrances, restrooms, bedrooms, and communal areas.
- CCTV and Trained Staff: For enhanced protection, CCTV cameras must be installed in all communal areas, and security staff should receive training on how to manage the special needs of older citizens.
- Fire Prevention and Disaster Readiness: Buildings should have plans for disaster readiness, and firefighting services should be easily accessible. For easy access in an emergency, emergency contacts ought to be prominently posted.
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New Senior Housing Policy Under MahaRERA
The new senior housing policy under MahaRERA introduces strict and specialised guidelines to ensure safety, accessibility, and comfort for senior citizens. These standards focus on mobility-friendly infrastructure, transparent compliance, and structured community management within every registered senior housing project.
Mandatory Infrastructure & Compliance Standards
| Policy Component | MahaRERA Requirements for Senior Housing | Purpose & Impact |
| Wheelchair Accessibility | Mandatory wheelchair-friendly lifts, ramps, and step-free entry points | Ensures barrier-free movement across the premises |
| Door Width Norm | Minimum 900 mm wide doors in residential units | Allows smooth wheelchair and walker access |
| Flooring Safety | Anti-skid flooring in bathrooms, kitchens, corridors, and common areas | Reduces risk of slips and falls |
| Bathroom Safety | Grab rails and support handrails in bathrooms | Improves safety and stability for seniors |
| Ergonomic Design | Senior-friendly fittings and ergonomic furniture | Enhances comfort and ease of daily living |
| Compliance Requirement | Developers must self-certify adherence to MahaRERA requirements for senior housing guidelines | Promotes accountability and regulatory transparency |
| Emergency & Health Access | Proximity to healthcare facilities or medical tie-ups | Ensures quicker emergency response and medical support |
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Addressing the Growing Senior Population’s Housing Needs
It is estimated that by 2050, India will house around 17% of the world’s elderly population. Therefore, it becomes an inevitability to support the growing demand for elder care and retirement communities. Guidelines given by MahaRERA regarding senior living communities become a roadmap for developers about how they can create spaces that are specifically designed for this demographic.
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| Feature | What It Means | Benefit for Residents & Society |
| Visitor Management | Tracks and verifies visitors entering the apartment | Improves security and avoids unauthorized entry |
| Maintenance Billing | Automates maintenance fee calculation and payment | Reduces manual errors and saves time |
| Complaint Management | Residents can raise complaints through the app | Faster issue resolution and better tracking |
| Accounting & Finance | Manages income, expenses, and financial reports | Transparent financial management |
| Staff Management | Tracks attendance and roles of security and housekeeping staff | Better workforce monitoring |
| Communication Tools | Sends announcements and notices to residents | Clear and instant communication |
| Amenities Booking | Allows residents to book the clubhouse, gym, etc. | Avoids conflicts and double bookings |
| Document Storage | Stores society documents digitally | Easy access and secure record keeping |
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Summary
In summary, MahaRERA guidelines bring much-needed regulation and structure to the senior living communities market, protecting both developers and elderly residents from misleading practices. With clear requirements regarding accessibility, safety, the principles of green building, and disaster preparedness, the guidelines pave the way for a future where retirement senior living communities can be closely associated with safety, comfort, and quality of life.
FAQs
The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority, MahaRERA, looks after the affairs of real estate regulation in Maharashtra. It has just presented new guidelines to safeguard elderly residents from misleading promotions and inadequate facilities within senior living communities, ensuring that such communities meet rudimentary safety, accessibility, and quality standards.
MahaRERA rules strictly oblige the design requirements such as the wheelchair-accessible lifts, broad doorways, handrails on corridors and staircases, besides ramps in buildings. Such qualities make buildings not only accessible but also safer for geriatric residents.
Yes, the guidelines emphasise green building principles, such as the use of non-polluting renewable energy resources. Senior living projects must conform to environmental standards to create healthier, sustainable communities as outlined in the model building bylaws.
Bathrooms shall be equipped with anti-skid tiles, outward-opening doors, and grab rails near the washbasins. There should be gas leak detection systems in the kitchens to mitigate the risk of accidents.
Developers are required to adhere to MahaRERA’s guidelines to market their projects as “senior living communities.” Failure to meet these standards may lead to penalties or restrictions on advertising the projects as senior-friendly.
A senior housing policy is a government or institutional framework designed to support the housing needs of elderly citizens. It focuses on affordability, accessibility, healthcare support, safety standards, and age-friendly infrastructure for comfortable living.