Reminder: Final Model Bye-Laws Still Awaited as Societies Should Prepare Now

No fresh circular or court ruling was reported today, so this is a status reminder. The cooperation department's final revised Model Bye-Laws for housing societies had still not been notified as of reports in the first days of October 2026, even though the drafting committee had earlier indicated finalisation in the first week of October.

Where things stand

The department published the draft in August and invited suggestions and objections. More than 5,000 responses were reported, mainly on parking categories, EV charging, maintenance sharing and the limits of a managing committee's powers. Separately, the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Rules, 2026 added Chapter XI-B (Rules 106C-1 to 106C-14), the first dedicated rules for housing societies, and gave statutory force to matters earlier found only in model bye-laws. Societies will have to adopt the final bye-laws within a prescribed period, which has not yet been announced. Earlier reports mentioned a three-month window, but this should be confirmed once the notification is published.

What this means for housing societies

• Adoption will need a resolution of the general body, so committees should plan a special general body meeting soon after notification, with proper notice and quorum.
• Avoid locking in long-term parking, EV charger or maintenance-sharing policies until the final text shows how these are treated.
• Check your existing bye-laws against the 2026 Rules now, for example the 12% cap on penal interest on dues and the 10% cap on non-occupancy charges, so that gaps are known before adoption.
• Keep members informed through notice-board and group circulars so the adoption meeting is not the first time they hear of the changes.

Managing committees should watch the cooperation department's website and Registrar circulars for the notification and its adoption deadline, and calendar the general body meeting as soon as the date is known.