The Goa Cabinet has approved the Mhajo Flat Scheme, a housing reform aimed at helping thousands of apartment owners secure legal ownership of their homes by resolving long-pending conveyance disputes. The initiative introduces a simplified deemed conveyance mechanism for cases where builders, developers or original landowners have failed to transfer ownership despite flats being sold years or even decades ago. The scheme is expected to provide legal certainty to homeowners and strengthen the functioning of cooperative housing societies across the state.
According to the state government, many apartment owners in Goa currently possess registered sale agreements or share certificates but do not legally own the land on which their buildings stand because conveyance deeds were never executed. This has created ownership uncertainty and prevented housing societies from independently managing, repairing or redeveloping their properties.
How the Mhajo Flat Scheme Will Work
The scheme enables eligible cooperative housing societies to obtain deemed conveyance through a government-backed process when developers fail to transfer ownership or when disputes involving builders and landowners remain unresolved. Once deemed conveyance is granted, ownership of the land and common areas can be legally transferred to the housing society, giving residents clear title over their property.
To simplify the process, the government has approved amendments to the Goa Cooperative Societies Act, the Indian Stamp Act and related revenue provisions. The scheme also introduces a concessional fee structure, including a one-time processing fee and nominal stamp duty for deemed conveyance, making legal ownership more accessible for eligible residents.
Why the Scheme Was Introduced
The state government has indicated that an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 flats across Goa continue to face ownership-related issues. In many cases, developers have ceased operations, left the state or failed to execute conveyance deeds, while some original landowners have refused to cooperate. As a result, numerous buildings that are several decades old still remain legally registered in the names of the original landowners rather than the residents who purchased the flats.
These unresolved ownership issues have also delayed redevelopment of ageing apartment buildings. Without legal ownership of the land, housing societies often face difficulties undertaking structural repairs, reconstruction or redevelopment, even when buildings require major upgrades.
Benefits for Flat Owners
The Mhajo Flat Scheme is expected to provide multiple long-term benefits for homeowners. Legal ownership through deemed conveyance will enable cooperative housing societies to manage common areas, undertake redevelopment projects, carry out structural repairs and make collective decisions regarding their properties with greater legal certainty. The government has also indicated that decisions supported by the majority of society members will receive legal backing under the proposed framework.
- Provides a simplified deemed conveyance process.
- Helps resolve long-pending ownership disputes.
- Benefits eligible cooperative housing societies.
- Supports redevelopment and structural repairs.
- Introduces concessional fees and stamp duty.
A Major Reform for Goa's Housing Sector
The Mhajo Flat Scheme represents one of Goa's most significant housing reforms in recent years. By addressing long-standing legal and procedural hurdles, the initiative aims to provide clear ownership rights to thousands of apartment owners while enabling cooperative housing societies to independently manage and redevelop their properties. Once formally notified, the scheme is expected to bring greater transparency, strengthen property governance and reduce ownership-related litigation across the state's residential sector.
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