Turning Your Illegal Property in Mumbai into a Legal One: A Simple Guide for NRIs (Especially Teens Who Want to Help Their Family!)

Hey! Imagine you’re chilling abroad, working hard or studying, and suddenly your mom calls from Mumbai: “Beta, BMC sent a notice – our flat might be illegal property!” Your stomach drops. All that money your parents saved… now in danger?

Don’t freak out yet. Breathe. Thousands of families in Mumbai, Thane, and Pune are in the exact same boat. The good news? The Maharashtra government is making it super easy right now to fix these old mistakes and make your home 100% legal – even if you’re living in Dubai, London, the US, or anywhere else.

This guide is written like your big bro explaining it – short, simple sentences, no boring legal words. Let’s turn that worry into a win and help you deal with illegal property the smart way!

When Does a Flat or Plot Become an Illegal Property?

It just means someone (builder, old owner, or society) broke a rule while building or dividing the land. Common reasons why a flat or plot becomes illegal property:

• The builder added extra floors or rooms without asking BMC for permission.
• The plot was cut from farmland but never officially changed to “housing land”.
• The building never got its final “OK to live” paper (called Occupation Certificate or OC).

Result? Banks say “no loan”, selling is tough, and worst case – BMC can demolish the illegal property.

But relax – over 25,000 buildings in Mumbai have the same problem and most are getting fixed right now!

Why You Can’t Just Ignore It

• BMC can actually break the building (yes, really).
• You can’t sell it properly or get a bank loan.
• Huge fines keep growing (one family we know paid ₹50 lakh just because they waited too long!).

So let’s fix it fast.

Your Easy Step-by-Step Fix Plan

There are 3 main ways. Pick the one that fits your case.

1. Most Common: Your Building Doesn’t Have Final OC (2025 Amnesty Scheme – Super Easy Right Now!)

What to do:

• Your housing society calls a meeting and 51% members say “yes, let’s fix it”.
• Hire a licensed architect (costs a little, but worth it). He draws the “real” plan of how the building looks today and gives a safety certificate.
• Submit everything online to BMC + pay the regularisation fee (yes, you pay some money, but way cheaper than losing the flat!).
• Done → BMC gives fresh OC → your flat becomes fully legal and valuable again!

2. If It’s a Plot/Land (Gunthewari Plots – Common in Thane, New Mumbai, Pune)

What to do:

• Check old land papers (7/12 extract) online or at the collector office.
• Apply on the Maharashtra land website.
• Pay the regularisation charges (based on today’s market value).
• Collector gives you legal papers → now you can build, sell, or take loan!

They even removed an old annoying law in 2025, so it’s quicker now.

3. Best Long-Term Fix: Redevelopment (Turn Old Illegal Building into Brand New One – For Free!)

If the building is very old or too many illegal things:

• 51–60% society members agree for redevelopment.
• A good builder tears down the old one and builds a brand new tower.
• You get:
  • A bigger flat (30–50% extra area) completely free!
  • Monthly rent while the new building is made (18–36 months).
  • Everything 100% legal + modern amenities.

This is honestly the jackpot for many families.

Pro tip: Start with a quick title check and hire one good consultant. They do 95% of the work.

Superpower for NRIs: Fix Everything Without Coming to India!

You don’t need to fly down. Here’s how:

1. Make a Power of Attorney (PoA) – a simple paper that says “My lawyer in Mumbai can sign for me”. Get it stamped at the Indian embassy/consulate in your country.
2. Everything is online now – BMC portal, land records, payments.
3. Hire a trusted team on the ground (lawyers or companies who do this daily). They attend meetings, submit files, follow up – you just check WhatsApp updates.
4. Join society meetings on Zoom/Google Meet so you can vote and ask questions live.

Quick Myth Busters (What Your Uncle on WhatsApp Gets Wrong)

• “Courts will demolish everything” → Nope! 2025 rules want to save buildings, not destroy them.
• “Redevelopment takes 10 years” → New rules + RERA make it 1.5–3 years max.
• “Nothing can be done” → Wrong! Thousands are getting OC this year itself.

FAQs

1. What is illegal property?

→ A property that was built without proper permission or by breaking building rules.

2. How do I check if my property is illegal?

→ Look for the Occupation Certificate (OC) and check all title documents.

3. Can illegal property become legal?

→ Yes, 100%! You just need to pay the required fees and submit the correct papers.

4. What happens if I ignore a notice from BMC or the government?

→ They can seal the flat or even demolish it. Don’t risk it.

5. Is it safe to buy a flat without an OC?

→ Never! Always ask for the OC first before buying.

Conclusion

Your family worked too hard for this home. One notice doesn’t have to become a nightmare. Pick up the phone today, talk to the society, appoint a good lawyer or consultant, and start the process.

In 6–24 months your “illegal” flat can become a bigger, shinier, fully legal one that’s worth lakhs more.

You’re not just saving a flat – you’re protecting your family’s future. Go make it happen!

About lawcrust Realty

At LawCrust Realty, we stand apart as a premium real estate consulting partner for NRIs worldwide, offering end-to-end solutions in Property Management, Property Regularisation, Construction & Redevelopment, and Project Management Consulting.
Rooted in a legacy of legal and hybrid consulting, we understand the unique challenges NRIs face in managing and safeguarding Indian assets. Our mission is to bridge these gaps through compliance-driven execution, strategic foresight, and client-first innovation.
Whether it’s managing NRI-held properties, transforming long-pending assets into legally regularised holdings, or delivering turnkey redevelopment solutions LawCrust Realty combines authority with accessibility.
By choosing us, you don’t just solve property challenges from overseas you future-proof your assets with one of India’s most trusted and forward-thinking realty partners.

Contact LawCrust Today

• Call Now: +91 8450968472
• Email: inquiry@lawcrustrealty.com