Bombay Parsi Punchayet Begins Registering Tenancy Agreements For Colony Flats Amid Opposition From 3 Trustees

Mumbai's Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trust has begun registering tenancy agreements for housing colony flats, despite opposition from minority trustees. The BPP, one of Mumbai's largest landlords, has registered the first set of tenancy deeds for around 4,000 housing units. The process is being carried out in two phases, with the first covering free-of-cost flats.

Trustees Anahita Desai, Hoshang Jal, and Adil Malia have raised concerns about the policy, stating that it lacks a comprehensive written framework and could create inequities among residents. Malia claims the trustees were unaware of the registrations and that the act is illegal. However, BPP chairman Viraf Mehta maintains that the decision was made after due diligence and by a majority of trustees.

Around 1,500 community flats, including those in Cusrow Baug, Godrej Baug, Khareghat Colony, and Rustom Baug, are allotted free of cost, while about 400 are given on a deposit basis. Resident Dr Viraf Kapadia, who holds a leave-and-licence agreement after paying a deposit, supports the tenancy move, stating that it would create a right for residents and mitigate potential litigation risks.

BPP contends that most flats in its colonies are already under tenancy and that the new scheme is not unprecedented.