India, Oct. 28 -- The Bombay High Court has ruled that an occupant of a flat in a co-operative housing society cannot refuse to pay monthly maintenance charges if they continue to use the building's common facilities.

Justice Amit Borkar, in a recent order, said that a person residing in a society flat and availing of services such as water supply, security, and cleaning is liable to pay their share of maintenance, even if they are not the original owner.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Giri Chhaya Cooperative Housing Society, which challenged a January 2023 order of the Cooperative Appellate Court. The appellate court had upheld the Cooperative Court's decision rejecting the society's claim to recover Rs.12.25 lakh in unpaid ...