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Owning a flat in Navi Mumbai while living abroad is manageable if the routine tasks are settled in advance: who pays the bills, who holds the keys, who inspects the flat and who signs for you. This checklist covers the recurring tasks in the order most owners meet them. It is general guidance. Wherever a rule or amount matters, it names the place to check, because several figures change by year or by society.
This is general information and not legal or tax advice. Confirm each point with your society, the municipal corporation and your advocate. This guide is independent and has not been reviewed by a lawyer.
Set up the basics before you leave or soon after
- Name one reliable person in India, such as a relative or an advocate, who can reach the flat and talk to the society. Give signing powers only through a limited document. See the NRI power of attorney guide.
- Keep scanned copies of the agreement, share certificate, society membership papers, recent maintenance and property tax bills, utility bills and any power of attorney.
- Keep an NRO account for Indian rupee payments such as rent, tax and charges. The NRE vs NRO guide explains which account fits which payment.
- Tell the society your contact details and who is allowed to receive notices and keys.
Society maintenance and non-occupancy charges
- Ask the society for its bank account details and pay by bank transfer from your NRO account, or through your representative. Keep every receipt.
- A Maharashtra government order issued under section 79A of the Co-operative Societies Act, reported as dated 9 March 1995, says non-occupancy charges should not exceed 10% of service charges, and exempts flats given to close relatives. See the order as reproduced here and the discussion of the Mont Blanc case. Some sources date the order differently, and what counts as “service charges” is not defined on those pages, so check the current position with your society and its bye-laws.
- Read the society’s rules on letting out the flat and on transfers. The society share certificate guide and the CIDCO transfer charges guide explain related papers.
Property tax
- Within the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation area, property tax can be paid online on the NMMC website, through the My NMMC app or on UPI and card apps. You need your property code.
- NMMC offered a 10% rebate for early payment in the first quarter of 2025, with payment by 30 June (see the Free Press Journal report). Whether a rebate applies each year, the due date and any penalty should be checked on the NMMC site for the current year.
- Unpaid tax can grow with penalty and affects a later sale or transfer, so set a yearly reminder.
Electricity, water and other utilities
- Electricity in Navi Mumbai is supplied by MSEDCL. Check the licensee name on your bill, since supply areas can change.
- Keep the electricity and water accounts in the owner’s name or the tenant’s name as agreed, and pay on time even when the flat is vacant, since minimum charges usually continue.
- Ask your representative to read the meters at each visit and photograph the readings.
If you let the flat
- Register the leave and licence agreement. The Department of Registration and Stamps offers online registration, and the IGR page explains the service. See the online rent agreement registration guide. Stamp duty and registration fee are reported at low flat rates, so use the IGR calculator for the exact amount.
- Report your tenant to the local police station and check the Navi Mumbai Police site for the current online service.
- Get the tenant’s identity papers, a refundable deposit receipt and a handover record with photographs. Ask whoever signs for you whether they hold a power of attorney that covers letting.
- Remember that the tenant has to deduct tax from rent paid to a non-resident. See the guide to TDS on rent paid to an NRI landlord and the rental property owner guide.
If the flat stays empty
- Arrange a regular inspection, for example monthly or after heavy rain, and ask for dated photographs.
- Check for leaks, seepage, pests and appliances left on. Close the water supply and switch off the main supply where practical.
- Give the society and a neighbour a contact number, and agree who may enter in an emergency.
- Consider home insurance for the contents and the structure, and ask the insurer what it requires when a home is vacant.
- Share the key with only one trusted person, and change the lock if a caretaker leaves.
A yearly checklist
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| Every month | Society charges, utility bills, rent received, inspection photos. |
| Each quarter | Rent tax credit records. See the guide to TDS on rent paid to an NRI landlord. |
| Before 30 June | Check the NMMC property tax due date and any early payment rebate. |
| Once a year | Review the power of attorney, the tenancy renewal, insurance and the scanned document file. |
| Every time you visit | Meet the society office, inspect the flat, update contacts. |
If you plan to sell, read the property lawyer checklist to prepare the papers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can pay society charges for an NRI owner?
You can pay from an NRO account by bank transfer, or a relative can pay for you. Ask the society for its bank details and keep receipts.
Is there a cap on non-occupancy charges in Maharashtra?
A government order under section 79A of the Co-operative Societies Act is reported to limit non-occupancy charges to 10% of service charges. Check the current position with your society.
Can I pay NMMC property tax online from abroad?
Yes, NMMC lists online payment on its website and app. You need your property code. Check the current year’s due date and rebate.
Do I have to register a leave and licence agreement?
Registration is reported to be required under Maharashtra law, and the IGR offers online registration. Confirm the steps and the fee on the IGR site.
Do I need a power of attorney to manage the flat?
Only if someone has to sign documents for you. For routine bill payment and inspections, written authority from you is usually enough. Ask your advocate.
What should I do if the flat stays empty?
Arrange regular inspections, keep the utilities paid, give the society a contact number and consider insurance.
Sources and a note on accuracy
| Point | Source |
|---|---|
| Non-occupancy charges order (reported) | Indian Cooperative and Mont Blanc discussion |
| NMMC property tax payment | NMMC and Free Press Journal, June 2025 |
| Online leave and licence registration | IGR Maharashtra |
Reviewed on 24 October 2026. The maintenance cap, the NMMC rebate and the leave and licence charges were checked in news and secondary sources and should be confirmed with your society, NMMC and IGR. No official page was available for the order. This guide has not been reviewed by a lawyer.
The featured image is an AI generated illustration made for this guide, and not a photograph.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with any government body.
