BMC's OC Amnesty Scheme: What Flat Owners and Societies Without an Occupation Certificate Should Know

BMC's general body approved an amnesty route for occupied buildings without an OC in August 2026. Who may qualify, what it costs, and what it does not fix.

High-rise residential apartment towers in Mumbai

Thousands of Mumbai families live in buildings that never got an Occupation Certificate (OC). Often the developer simply didn't finish the paperwork. Without an OC, owners can struggle with resale, home loans, and sometimes higher property tax and water charges. BMC now has an amnesty route meant to fix that.

What happened

BMC's Standing Committee cleared the OC amnesty scheme in July 2026, and the General Body approved it on 18 August 2026.
It follows directions from the state Urban Development Department. Minister Ashish Shelar said it could help more than 20,000 buildings. That is his estimate, not an official count.
A September 2026 legal update noted that BMC had not yet issued detailed procedures. Check the current position before you apply.

Key features reported so far

Feature	What's reported
Part OC for one flat	An individual owner can seek an OC for their own unit
Society applications	Societies can apply where the developer has defaulted. Proposals go up on AutoDCR with a 15-day objection window.
Premium concession	50% off the premium for additional and fungible FSI, only for tenements up to 80 sq m RERA carpet area
Datum lines	Occupation before reference dates such as 25 March 1991, 6 January 2012 or 17 November 2016, depending on the case
Redevelopment	The rehab building's OC is de-linked from the sale building

An OC under the amnesty fixes a paperwork gap. It does not make unsafe or illegal construction legal.

What it doesn't fix

Fire safety: BMC said there will be no compromise on fire-safety norms or unauthorised floors.
Height and aviation limits still apply.
Liability isn't wiped out. An OC under the scheme doesn't make genuinely illegal construction legal.
NOCs are still needed from the developer or original owner and architect. Corporators have asked how owners will get these when developers have disappeared.

What to do if your building has no OC

Confirm the status. Ask your society for the OC, or check BMC's building proposal records.
Collect proof of occupation. Old property tax receipts and electricity bills help establish dates.
Talk to your society committee. A society-level application is usually simpler than every owner applying separately.
Appoint a licensed architect. Proposals are filed through an architect or licensed surveyor.
Budget for premiums and penalties. The concession reduces costs; it doesn't remove them.

If you're buying

A building that qualifies for amnesty is still a building without an OC today. Our guide to buying a flat without an OC covers the loan and resale risks.

Frequently asked questions

Is the OC amnesty scheme open now?

BMC's general body approved it in August 2026. Detailed procedures were still awaited in September 2026, so check with BMC or your architect.

Can one owner apply alone?

The scheme provides for part OCs for individual flats, subject to conditions and NOCs.

Own a flat in a building without an OC? We can help you gather the paperwork. Book a video call.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Rely on BMC's official notification and a licensed architect.

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