Frequent lift breakdowns, no maintenance contract or insurance, an expired or missing fire NOC, blocked escape routes — these are not minor gripes. Haryana law regulates lifts and fire safety, and residents can force compliance.
In plain words: working lifts and fire safety are not optional extras. Haryana law regulates how lifts are installed and maintained, and a fire-safety clearance is mandatory for a high-rise. Residents can force compliance — and after an accident, liability follows.
The problem
Lifts break down for days, there is no visible maintenance contract or insurance, the fire NOC has lapsed or was never obtained, fire equipment does not work, and escape routes are blocked or locked — a real danger in a tower full of families.
What the law says
- Lifts are regulated. The Haryana Lifts and Escalators Act, 2008 governs the installation, registration, maintenance, insurance and periodic inspection of lifts — they cannot simply be left to fail.
- Fire safety is mandatory. A high-rise must obtain and keep a valid fire-safety clearance (fire NOC) under the applicable fire-safety law, with working equipment and clear escape routes.
- Builder and RWA obligations. Until handover, the builder is responsible; after handover, the residents' association must keep up safety compliance. HRERA and the DTCP can be invoked for a builder's failures.
- Liability after an accident. An avoidable lift or fire accident can bring negligence, consumer and criminal consequences for those responsible.
What you can do, step by step
- Demand, in writing, the lift maintenance contract and insurance, and the current fire NOC and equipment records.
- Complain to the authority that regulates lifts and to the fire department; invoke the DTCP/HRERA for a builder's lapses.
- After any incident, preserve evidence and pursue negligence, consumer or criminal action as advised.
How Vakil Help Desk helps
We push builders and RWAs to meet lift and fire-safety obligations, invoke the right authorities, and pursue liability where a lapse causes harm. If your high-rise has lift or fire-safety failures, contact Vakil Help Desk before something goes wrong.
General information, not legal advice.