Punjab approves new rules to protect private housing society plot owners

LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved amendments to laws governing private housing societies, introducing new safeguards for plot owners and stricter penalties for unauthorised development.

Under the revised rules, private housing societies cannot cancel an allottee’s plot without first issuing at least two notices. The notices must be sent through the Housing Society Management System and registered mail before societies can begin cancellation proceedings.

The amendments also protect plot owners from immediate cancellation over unpaid development charges, requiring societies to issue at least two notices before proceeding with such action.

The revised framework introduces daily fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs20,000 for housing societies carrying out unauthorised development.

The government has also changed the approval and management of housing schemes. Under the amendments, residential plots in low-cost housing schemes will be subject to a maximum size limit of five marlas.

A seven-member committee will oversee relevant matters, comprising four resident representatives and three project sponsor representatives.

The changes aim to strengthen protections for plot allottees and improve oversight of private housing societies across Punjab.