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Across India’s top cities, housing societies charge anywhere from Rs2 to Rs25 per sq ft in monthly maintenance. That means a 1,000 sq ft apartment could cost anywhere between Rs2,000 and Rs25,000 per month depending on location, amenities, and management practices. While some charges reflect genuine upkeep, others quietly inflate costs through opaque budgeting, underutilized amenities, and poor financial discipline. The question isn’t just what you pay, it’s what you’re actually getting in return.
The Metro Divide - What Residents Pay and Why
Ask any homeowner in Mumbai’s Goregaon East, and they’ll tell you maintenance is no longer a minor monthly expense. In mid-segment societies like Gokuldham or Raheja Ridgewood, residents pay Rs4,500 to Rs6,000 a month for basic services security, housekeeping, and common area upkeep. But shift to Lower Parel’s luxury towers like Lodha World One or Indiabulls Sky, and the same 1,000 sq ft unit attracts Rs12,000 to Rs15,000 monthly. That’s Rs180,000 a year more than the annual school fees for two children.
In Bengaluru’s Whitefield, gated communities like Prestige Lakeside Habitat charge Rs3.5 to Rs6 per sq ft, translating to Rs4,200 to Rs7,200 monthly for a 1,200 sq ft flat. Residents say the fees are justified when amenities like water supply, gym access, and landscaping are well maintained. But in Sarjapur, older societies with fewer amenities still charge Rs3,000–Rs5,000, leaving residents questioning the value.
Delhi NCR is a mixed bag. In Noida’s Sector 137, societies like Exotica Fresco charge flat Rs3,500 monthly whether your flat is 900 or 1,500 sq ft. Smaller homeowners feel the pinch. Meanwhile, Gurugram’s Golf Course Road towers like DLF Magnolias charge Rs10–Rs20 per sq ft, meaning Rs10,000–Rs20,000 monthly for a 1,000 sq ft unit. That’s Rs2.4 lakh a year often with limited transparency on where the money goes.
Across metros, the lack of standardization and clarity makes it hard for residents to benchmark fairness. And as societies grow more complex, the real question isn’t just what you pay but whether you’re paying for what you actually use.
What’s Justified - and What’s Quietly Excessive
Maintenance fees are meant to keep a society running smoothly security, cleaning, electricity for common areas, elevator upkeep, and a sinking fund for future repairs. But in many urban societies, the line between necessary and inflated costs is increasingly blurred.
Take Lodha Park in Mumbai’s Worli, where residents of a 1,200 sq ft apartment pay Rs18,000–Rs22,000 monthly. The society offers luxury-grade amenities like spa, concierge, rooftop gardens, and a private clubhouse. In this context, Rs15–Rs18 per sq ft may be justified. But in
In Bengaluru’s RMZ Galleria, maintenance is Rs7–Rs9 per sq ft, translating to Rs8,400–Rs10,800 monthly for a 1,200 sq ft flat. Residents say the fees are fair, given the upkeep of landscaped gardens, water recycling systems, and 24/7 security. But in older societies in Koramangala, where lifts break down frequently and common areas are poorly maintained, even Rs4,000 monthly feels excessive.
Hybrid billing models complicate things further. In Noida’s Sector 137, societies like Paramount Floraville charge a flat Rs3,500 monthly whether your flat is 900 or 1,500 sq ft. Smaller homeowners end up subsidizing larger units, with little say in how funds are allocated.
RERA mandates budget disclosures, yet few RWAs publish quarterly expense reports or renegotiate vendor contracts. According to LegalKart’s overview, the Supreme Court has ruled that charges must be fair, proportionate, and documented. But enforcement remains uneven.
Until societies adopt open budgeting and link fees to actual usage, many homeowners will continue to overpay—not for better living, but for inefficiency dressed as luxury.
