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BMC Panel Puts Occupation Certificate Amnesty Proposal on Hold, Seeks Simpler Framework

  • by- Grihik
  • Apr 9, 2026
Mumbai's civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Standing Committee, on April 8 put on hold an amnesty proposal to grant occupation certificates to housing societies for all residential buildings constructed before 2016.
BMC Panel Puts Occupation Certificate Amnesty Proposal on Hold, Seeks Simpler Framework

Mumbai, April 9: Members of the standing committee told Hindustan Times Real Estate that the proposal has been paused, with some members seeking simplification and broader stakeholder consultations before it is taken forward.

What is the Amnesty Proposal?

The proposal seeks to enable housing societies to obtain OCs by paying applicable charges based on type, size, and extent of approvals and violations.

  • Coverage: Housing societies constructed before November 17, 2016

  • Eligible buildings: Residential buildings, hospitals, schools

  • Unit size limit: Carpet area up to 80 sq m (~860 sq ft)

  • Beneficiaries: ~12 lakh homeowners in ~25,000 residential buildings

Key Conditions

The proposal requires that housing societies applying for OC should have:

  • Valid Commencement Certificate (CC)

  • Intimation of Development (IOD)

  • Conveyance

Fee Concessions

  • 50% concession on regularisation fees, penalties, and application costs

  • Penalty exemption for applications submitted within first six months

  • Partial concessions for later submissions

Why Put on Hold?

Prabhakar Shinde, BJP Corporator and Chairman of BMC's Standing Committee, said: "We will hold discussions with various stakeholders, including on the conditions set by the BMC administration. Only after incorporating their views and suggestions will we move forward with the amnesty scheme."

Ganesh Khankar, BJP Corporator and member of the standing committee, said: "The policy was not taken up for approval in the BMC's standing committee, as we want further simplification of the scheme for housing societies. Several conditions, such as the 800 sq ft cap and the requirement of a commencement certificate (CC), need to be studied and discussed with various stakeholders."

What is an Occupation Certificate?

An Occupation Certificate is an essential legal document confirming a building has been constructed in accordance with approved plans and is fit for occupation. Without it:

  • Homeowners cannot legally occupy the house

  • Banks hesitate to provide loans or mortgages

  • Redevelopment plans can get stuck

  • Basic civic approvals (water/sewage connections) may remain uncertain