Society Maintenance & RWAs in NCR: What Buyers Should Know

When you buy a flat in an NCR society, you're also joining a community that shares lifts, power backup, security and common areas. How that community is run affects your daily life and your monthly costs. Here's what buyers should understand.

Who maintains the society?

• Builder or its maintenance agency — often for the first period after possession
• Residents' association — an apartment owners' association (AOA) or residents' welfare association (RWA) formed by owners, which takes over maintenance after handover from the builder

Ask who manages the society today, and whether handover has happened.

What maintenance covers

Monthly maintenance usually pays for security, housekeeping, lifts, common-area electricity, power backup running costs, gardening and repairs to common facilities. Ask for the latest breakdown and how often charges have gone up.

Deposits and funds

• IFMS (interest-free maintenance security) is usually collected by the builder at possession and should pass to the association on handover
• a sinking fund is kept for major repairs and replacements

Check whether these funds have been handed over properly.

Questions to ask before buying

• What is the monthly maintenance, and is it charged on carpet or super area?
• Are there pending special charges for repairs or upgrades?
• Has the builder handed over the society? Are there disputes?
• How well are lifts, power backup and water supply working?
• What are the rules on renting, pets and renovation?

Before you pay

For a resale flat, ask the seller for a no-dues certificate from the society, so you don't inherit unpaid maintenance.

Next step

Read our resale flat checklist, then browse flats in Noida and flats in Gurugram.

Cover photo: @shadesofanmol / Unsplash (illustrative).