Rising disputes push RWAs to enforce norms on use & tenancy of flats

Indore: A day after a penthouse row in a residential township claimed life of a woman, residential welfare associations (RWAs) of societies across Indore have stepped up enforcement of existing housing norms.The focus has again shifted on commercial use of residential flats, bachelor tenants, and movement of visitors to maintain safety and residential order.Across major townships, RWAs say restrictions on commercial activities and informal rental practices have been in place for years but are now being enforced more strictly. Measures include tighter checks on tenants, limits on bachelor occupancy, and close monitoring of visitor movement within gated premises."In our township, flats are given on rent through brokers. We have instructed them not give flats to bachelors or for commercial activity. As we cannot ban them legally, so when some bachelors stay, we do a background check, inform the police regarding the tenant, keep a copy of their documents, and observe them strictly. If some residents complain against them, then they are issued a notice and in serious cases police are informed," director, RWA, Silver Springs, Alka Dubey said.Sourabh Agarwal, who owns a facility management company handling 22 housing societies in Indore, said that such norms were standard across managed communities. "It's been 12 years that we have been managing societies in Indore and other cities. All the townships and apartments that we manage have clear rules of not renting apartments to bachelors or for any commercial activity. The flat and house owners have also been given letters that they are not allowed to use their properties as guest houses or rent them for shorter periods on any online platforms," he said.Across large residential complexes, RWAs say enforcement of these rules has become more consistent in recent years, especially in cases involving unauthorised guest house operations and tenant-related disputes.Rajesh Jwell, president of Apollo DB City RWA, said that enforcement remained key to preventing disputes. "We do not permit any commercial activity in our society. Earlier, some flats were used as guest houses, but we got them vacated. Flat owners are informed not to give flats to bachelors, and if they do, police verification and documents are mandatory. Parking is another major issue, so we ensure strict adherence to allotted spaces to avoid conflicts," he said.Photo quotesKavish Joshi: IT Professional: Residential societies are not meant for commercial use. Frequent movement of unknown visitors creates security concerns, and stricter monitoring of tenants and guests has now become necessaryNikhil Bagora: Businessman: With more students and short-term tenants coming in, RWAs have to be more vigilant. Proper verification and clear rules help avoid unnecessary disputes within societiesPriya Barjatya: Resin artist: Safety of families must remain the priority. Restrictions on bachelor tenants and guest house-like use of flats are important to maintain a peaceful residential environmentPriyanka Paliwal, Homemaker: Most societies already have rules, but consistent enforcement is key. Whether it is tenant checks or parking discipline, small steps go a long way in preventing bigger conflicts