Maharashtra 2025: Stamp Duty Slashed for Senior Living Homes

As the golden sun rises over bustling Mumbai, a new chapter begins for Maharashtra’s elderly—one marked by dignity, comfort, and opportunity. The Maharashtra government, recognizing the shifting tides of family structures and an ageing population, has unveiled its landmark Housing Policy 2025, a blueprint for inclusive urban development. This is not just a policy—it is a promise to the senior citizens of Maharashtra.

A New Dawn for Senior Living

The policy brings sweeping reforms, chief among them a dramatic reduction in stamp duty for buyers of senior living properties. Gone are the days of hefty fees; now, a flat ₹1,000 replaces what was once a 5% to 7% levy on property value, depending on location. This change alone is set to make senior living homes more accessible and affordable for countless families.

Property tax concessions further sweeten the deal for owners, while developers benefit from a suite of incentives: tax relaxations, increased Floor Space Index (FSI), and streamlined approvals through a single-window clearance system. The government is also redeveloping old-age homes and orphanages on public land, integrating them with modern senior housing projects to create vibrant, supportive communities for the elderly.

Building Communities, Not Just Homes

Maharashtra’s elderly population, already at 10% as per the 2011 Census—higher than the national average—is projected to rise to 17% by 2036. With nuclear families becoming the norm, the demand for independent, well-equipped senior living facilities is surging. The new policy is a direct response to this demographic shift, ensuring that the state’s seniors are not left behind.

Developers are rising to the occasion. Industry leaders like Rustomjee Group and Dosti Realty are gearing up to launch dedicated senior living projects, fueled by the policy’s incentives and the promise of a new asset class: regulated, age-friendly housing. The Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) now recognize senior citizen housing as a distinct category, with clear guidelines for safety, accessibility, and essential amenities.

Key Features and Incentives

• Zoning Flexibility: Senior living projects can be developed in both residential and green zones.
• Mandatory Registrations: Projects must be registered with RERA and a district-level Monitoring Committee.
• Location Requirements: Public transport and medical facilities must be accessible within a 5-km radius.
• Essential Amenities: Recreational spaces, gyms, dining areas, and emergency services like nurse stations and on-call doctors are mandatory.
• Partnerships Required: Developers must collaborate with registered service providers, hospitals, or NGOs, ensuring comprehensive care.
• Land and Infrastructure: A minimum plot size of 3,000 sq. meters and 12-meter-wide access roads are required.

Developer Incentives

• Higher Permissible FSI: Allows for more efficient use of land.
• Single-Window Clearance: Speeds up approvals and reduces bureaucratic hurdles.
• Concessions in Development Charges and GST: Lowers the cost of development.
• Mixed-Use Development: Up to 15% commercial usage is permitted within senior housing projects.

Voices from the Industry

“Addressing the growing demand for elderly-friendly housing is the need of the hour,” says Anuj Goradia, director of Dosti Realty. “These reforms will set a benchmark for thoughtfully designed, well-supported developments.”

Keval Valambhia, COO of CREDAI-MCHI, adds, “The recognition of senior citizen housing as a distinct, regulated asset class is a progressive step. It safeguards the dignity of our ageing population and opens new horizons for private sector participation.”

A Future of Dignity and Opportunity

Maharashtra’s Housing Policy 2025 is more than a set of rules—it is a vision for a future where every senior citizen can live with dignity, surrounded by a supportive community and modern amenities. As developers and policymakers join hands, the state is setting a new standard for inclusive, age-friendly urban development.