Society Maintenance Charges Rules in Gujarat

In Gujarat, society maintenance charges are governed by specific rules under the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act. Imagine you’ve just moved into a cooperative housing society. Everything seems great, friendly neighbours, well-maintained gardens, and a dedicated security team. But then, you receive your first maintenance bill, and suddenly, you have a lot of questions.

Why is it calculated this way? Is this fair? What are the rules? Let’s break it all down in the simplest way possible.

What Are Society Maintenance Charges?

Maintenance charges are monthly fees collected from society members for:

• Cleaning and upkeep of common areas
• Security and surveillance
• Garden and lift maintenance
• Water and electricity for shared facilities
• Repairs to shared infrastructure
• Administrative expenses

These charges are mandatory for all members, regardless of flat occupancy status

How Do Societies Calculate Society Maintenance Charges in Gujarat?

Different societies in Gujarat use different methods to calculate maintenance charges. Here are the most common ones.

1. Per Square Foot Basis

Some housing societies in Gujarat calculate society maintenance charges based on the size of your flat. For example, if the rate is ₹5 per square foot and your flat is 1,000 sq ft, your monthly maintenance would be ₹5,000. This method is fair to those with smaller flats but might seem expensive for those with larger ones.

2. Equal Distribution

In an equal distribution model, every resident pays the same amount, regardless of flat size. While this keeps things simple, people with smaller flats may feel they are paying more than their fair share.

3. Hybrid Method

The hybrid model is a combination of both. Some expenses like repairs, are charged based on unit size, while common facilities like security and gardening are split equally. The hybrid model method tries to balance fairness and practicality.

Society Maintenance Charges Calculation- Overview

Method	Description	Pros	Cons
Per Square Foot	Based on flat size (e.g., ₹5/sq ft x 1000 sq ft)	Fair based on area	Larger flat owners pay more
Equal Distribution	Same amount for all members	Simple to administer	Smaller flats pay more than fair share
Hybrid Method	Combination: area-based for some charges, equal for others	Balances fairness & practicality	Slightly complex to calculate

If the society’s by-laws do not specify this, Gujarat law favors equal distribution, as upheld by court rulings such as Ahmedabad’s Satyagrah Chhavani case.

New Co-Op Housing Service Society Rules in Gujarat (2025)

Gujarat has introduced important updates to cooperative housing service society rules as part of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Rules, 2025, effective from June 10, 2025. These changes aim to improve transparency, fairness, and ease of managing housing societies across the state.

Key changes impacting societies in Gujarat:

• Transfer Fee Caps: Societies cannot charge beyond 0.5% of property value or ₹1 lakh on flat transfers.
• GST on Maintenance: Charges exceeding ₹7,500 per month per flat attract 18% GST if annual RWA turnover is above ₹20 lakh.
• Digital Payments: Encouraged for transparency and better records.
• Audit Requirements: Annual audits of society accounts are mandatory.
• Model By-Laws: Revised for better compliance and governance.

What Does the Gujarat Society Law Say?

While societies have some freedom to decide how to collect maintenance, their decisions must align with the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act and their own by-laws. If no specific rule is mentioned in the by-laws, the law generally favors equal distribution.

Case Study: Ahmedabad’s Satyagrah Chhavani Society

Residents of this society challenged their maintenance structure, arguing that charging based on plot size was unfair. After a long legal battle, the Gujarat High Court ruled that, unless stated otherwise in the society’s by-laws, maintenance should be collected equally from all members. This case set an important precedent for societies across the state.

Non-Occupancy Charges in Gujarat: Extra Costs for Rented Flats

If you rent out your flat, your society may charge you a non-occupancy fee. In some states, this fee is capped at 10% of the service charge, but in Gujarat, it depends on the society’s by-laws. If you’re renting your flat, check with your society to know what applies to you.

Tips to Understand Maintenance Charges in Your Gujarat Housing Society

If you live in a cooperative housing society in Gujarat, you must understand how maintenance charges work to avoid confusion or unfair fees. Here’s what you can do to stay informed and protect your rights:

1. Check Your Society’s By-Laws

Every cooperative housing society has a set of by-laws which is essentially kept as its rulebook. These housing society by-laws specify how maintenance charges are calculated, whether it’s based on square footage, equal distribution, or a hybrid method. Before questioning the charges, review this document to see if your society is following its own rules.

2. Attend Society Meetings

Decisions about maintenance charges are usually made during annual general body meetings. If you don’t attend, you might miss out on important discussions that directly affect you. Being present allows you to understand why certain charges are applied, voice your concerns if you feel the charges are unfair, and vote on proposed changes to the maintenance structure.

3. Consult a Lawyer If Needed:

If you believe your society is charging unfair maintenance fees, you have the right to seek legal advice. A lawyer specializing in cooperative housing laws can help you to understand your rights as a society member. You can also review the by-laws and check if the charges are legally valid and also assist in filing a complaint if the charges are excessive or unfair. This will also guide you on legal actions you can take against the managing committee if needed.

Read Also: How to Reduce Society Maintenance Cost

Importance of Society Maintenance Charges Rules in Gujarat

Society maintenance charges in Gujarat are crucial because they ensure the smooth functioning, upkeep, and safety of residential communities. These charges fund common utilities and services, helping maintain property value and residents’ quality of life.

Why Society Maintenance Charges Matter:

• Enable regular cleaning, security, and repairs of common areas
• Ensure uninterrupted water supply, electricity, and waste management
• Maintain safety through security staff and surveillance systems
• Preserve and enhance property values in the society
• Fund communal amenities like parks, gyms, and lifts
• Create reserve funds for future repairs and emergencies
• Comply with legal and regulatory standards to avoid penalties
• Promote fairness by distributing cost among residents

Proper maintenance charges keep societies livable, secure, and valuable for all members while supporting legal compliance and transparency.

Read also on: Non Payment of Society Maintenance Charges

GST On Society Maintenance Charges in Gujarat

Condition	Applicability of GST
Maintenance charges ≤ ₹7,500 per month	No GST
Maintenance charges > ₹7,500 per month	GST @ 18% applies on the total amount
RWA annual turnover > ₹20 lakh	Mandatory GST registration

GST responsibilities apply even if a member owns multiple flats.

Read more on: GST on Society Maintenance Charges

Can Societies Charge Extra Maintenance for Rented Flats?

• Societies cannot charge higher maintenance fees to tenants as compared to flat owners.
• However, they may levy non-occupancy charges, which generally do not exceed 10% of service charges, if specified in the by-laws.
• Tenants pay the same maintenance as owners plus any applicable non-occupancy fees.

This differentiation is to prevent discrimination while covering costs associated with rented units.

Society Management with NoBrokerHood

NoBrokerHood is a smart and secure platform designed to simplify the management of cooperative housing societies in Gujarat. It helps societies efficiently handle maintenance charges, visitor management, and complaints, ensuring transparency and ease for both residents and administrators.

Key Features of NoBrokerHood:

• Maintenance Management: Easy tracking and online payment of society maintenance charges with complete transparency.
• Visitor Management: Secure and automated visitor entry system with digital records and alerts.
• Complaint Resolution: Quick reporting and resolution of resident complaints through the app.
• Communication Tools: Instant society-wide alerts, announcements, and discussion forums.
• Security Enhancements: SOS features and biometric access control to ensure safety.
• Admin Support: Automated billing, accounting, and vendor management for smooth society operations.

NoBrokerHood aligns perfectly with the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, helping societies comply with legal requirements while offering residents a hassle-free living experience.

Summary

If ever in doubt, consulting your society’s by-laws or seeking legal advice can clear up confusion. Nobrokerhood helps societies to streamline the Accounting and Billing Solutions. Now that you know the basics, you’re well-equipped to handle any maintenance-related concerns in your housing society!

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