Mumbai: BMC Expected to Roll Out Policy for Long-Pending Occupation Certificates to 25,000 Housing Societies by Month End

Mumbai, March 5, 2026: In a move that could benefit 25,000 housing societies across Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is expected to announce a new policy framework by the end of this month that allows societies to obtain long-pending Occupation Certificates [citation:0].

Policy Approval Process

According to BMC officials, the policy will be presented to the standing committee in the next few days. "Once the standing committee approves it, the policy will be forwarded to the Maharashtra government's Urban Development Department for the final go-ahead," a BMC official told Hindustan Times Real Estate [citation:0].

The state Urban Development Department had approved the BMC's amnesty scheme in December 2025 with revisions, but implementation was delayed as the civic body awaited sanction from the standing committee, which was yet to be formed after municipal elections . The standing committee, which has the powers to make financial decisions for the corporation, is now expected to be constituted soon .

Amnesty Scheme Details

The scheme will allow legalization upon payment of charges for obtaining an OC, with applications accepted only within a fixed deadline. Penalties will vary based on the type, size, and extent of approval and violations. The aim is to ensure all housing societies in the city obtain an OC [citation:0].

Under the revised scheme approved by the UDD, no penalty will be levied on applications filed within the first six months of the policy's introduction. This revision was introduced to attract more applicants for regularisation . The 50 per cent discount on the premium, as well as the concession regarding non-imposition of penalty for the first six months, will be applicable only to flats having a carpet area of up to 80 sq m .

The UDD has directed the BMC to consider implementing the amnesty scheme for buildings constructed and occupied before November 17, 2016, instead of the earlier cut-off date of January 6, 2012, benefiting more non-OC buildings .

Coverage and Eligibility

Gopal Shetty, a former BJP MP from North Mumbai who headed the BJP's committee on OC for all housing societies, confirmed that the BMC expects to roll out the policy by the end of this month. "There were ongoing discussions on whether commercial units should also be given OC or not, along with residential units. However, now the decision is under consideration that OC should be given to all," Shetty said [citation:0].

The UDD has also directed the BMC to consider the amnesty scheme for granting OC to hospital and school buildings. However, commercial constructions will not be considered .

Siddarth Sharma, BJP Corporator and a member of the BMC's law committee, stated: "The decisions are in the final stages, and we are expecting that the proposal of the policy will be put forward in the BMC's standing committee shortly in the next few days. The aim is to ensure that all the citizens, irrespective of whether they are commercial unit or residential unit owners, should get OC" [citation:0].

"The policy will be comprehensive, wherein we are going to give around one year's period to housing societies to come forward and apply for OC, during which they will not be levied any penalty. Further, to not discriminate, even commercial unit holders are expected to be given OC," Sharma added [citation:0].

Why OCs Matter

An Occupation Certificate is an essential legal document issued by the municipal corporation that confirms a building has been constructed in accordance with approved plans and is fit for occupation. Without it, homeowners cannot legally occupy the house [citation:0].

In the Mumbai real estate market, banks often hesitate to provide loans or mortgages; redevelopment plans can get stuck; and basic civic approvals, such as water or sewage connections, may remain uncertain due to the absence of OC [citation:0]. In Mumbai, thousands of cooperative housing societies built decades ago still lack this important document.

The amnesty scheme will also help residents who have been paying double property tax due to the lack of an OC. Their access to home loans will become easier, and the resale market will see improvement as properties fetch proper value .

Warning Against Illegal Collections

In a related development, senior BJP leader and advocate Vivekanand Gupta has warned that FIRs for extortion will be filed against office-bearers of cooperative housing societies who are charging exorbitant amounts from members under the pretext of obtaining OCs . Gupta clarified that OC fees must be paid directly online to the BMC, with no agents involved, and any money collected over and above the official charge will be illegal .