BMC Plans Amnesty Scheme to Grant Occupation Certificates to Housing Societies

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is expected to table an amnesty scheme on April 8, 2026, aimed at granting occupation certificates (OCs) to housing societies in Mumbai, according to a Hindustan Times report. The move follows a September 2025 announcement by the Government of Maharashtra to introduce a structured policy framework.

The scheme is designed to regularise buildings that currently lack valid OCs. It seeks to address long-standing compliance gaps in the city’s housing sector.

Scope and Eligibility of the Amnesty Scheme

The proposed scheme will apply to housing societies constructed before November 17, 2016. It will include buildings where deviations from approved plans or additional constructions had made them ineligible for OC certification.

Eligible categories include residential buildings, hospitals, and schools. Housing units with a carpet area of up to 80 sq mtrs will also be covered under the proposal.

Charges and Concessions Under the Scheme

The scheme will allow legalisation of housing societies upon payment of applicable charges. These charges will vary depending on the type of building, extent of violations, and size of the project.

The BMC has proposed a 50% concession on key components such as regularisation fees, penalties, and application charges. Applications submitted within the first 6 months will receive full penalty exemptions, while later submissions will be eligible for partial concessions.

Conditions for Obtaining Occupation Certificates

Housing societies applying under the scheme must meet certain regulatory conditions. These include possession of a valid Commencement Certificate (CC) and an Intimation of Development (IOD).

Societies must also have a valid conveyance in place. These requirements are aimed at ensuring that only structurally and legally compliant projects benefit from the scheme.

Impact on Mumbai’s Housing Sector

Mumbai has an estimated 25,000 housing societies that currently lack valid occupation certificates. An OC is a mandatory legal document confirming that a building complies with approved plans and is fit for occupation.

Without it, residents face legal and financial limitations, including restrictions on property transactions. The scheme is expected to provide a structured pathway for regularisation and improve compliance across the housing market.

Read More: BMC Records Highest-Ever ₹7,610.90 Crore Property Tax Collection in FY26.

Conclusion

The proposed amnesty scheme by the BMC aims to address a long-standing issue in Mumbai’s housing sector. By enabling housing societies to obtain occupation certificates with concessions, the initiative seeks to improve legal compliance.

The structured eligibility criteria and phased concessions are designed to encourage timely participation. The final rollout of the scheme will determine its effectiveness in regularising a large number of properties.

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