DDA Leasehold-to-Freehold Conversion Delhi 2026:
What's On Hold, What's Covered, and What to Prepare

If you own a DDA flat or plot on a leasehold basis, converting it to freehold gives you full, unencumbered ownership - no ground rent, no lease renewal, and a cleaner title for resale or inheritance. It has been one of the most searched DDA-related questions in Delhi for years. As of August 2026, though, the process itself is paused - which is exactly why accurate, current information matters more than usual right now.

What is Leasehold-to-Freehold Conversion?

Most DDA flats were originally allotted on a leasehold basis - the land technically belongs to DDA (on behalf of the President of India), and the allottee holds a lease, typically for 99 years, subject to ground rent and DDA's terms. Freehold conversion is the process of converting that leasehold right into full ownership of both the flat and the underlying land, by paying a conversion charge and executing a Conveyance Deed in place of the original lease deed.

Newer DDA allotments are increasingly made freehold from the start, but a large number of older flats - especially from schemes going back to the 1980s and 1990s - remain leasehold until the owner applies for conversion.

Why Is the Process On Hold?

The pause follows the Delhi government's adoption of revised circle rates, which directly affects how conversion charges get calculated. DDA suspended processing of both new and already-pending applications from the start of 2026 while the conversion policy - rates, procedure, and paperwork - is reviewed at the government level.

Practically, this means: if you already had an application pending with DDA before the hold, it stays pending - it has not been rejected, just paused. If you haven't applied yet, there is currently no window to submit a new one.

Which Properties Are Covered

Based on the scheme's scope, the following DDA-allotted properties are covered once the process resumes:

• DDA residential flats across LIG, MIG, HIG and Self-Financing Scheme (SFS) categories
• Asian Games Village complex units
• Cooperative Group Housing Society properties built on DDA land
• Residential plots above 50 square metres (smaller plots are excluded)
• Fixed-term residential properties allotted without a premium

Eligibility Conditions

• The property must have no ongoing title dispute before a court of law - conversion is only allowed after the dispute is resolved
• The property's actual use must match the residential purpose stated in the lease/sub-lease deed
• If the property is mortgaged, a No Objection Certificate from the lender is required
• Any outstanding dues to DDA must be cleared before conversion is finalised
• Properties under DDA re-entry orders (for lease violations) need those orders withdrawn first, on payment of restoration charges

How Conversion Charges Were Calculated (Pre-Hold)

Under the scheme as it operated before the 2026 pause, conversion charges were calculated using land rates applicable as on 14 February 1987 - not current circle rates. This is one of the specific points under review now, since the government's stated reason for the pause is to align this with revised circle rates.

Payment Options

Conversion charges, along with any additional charges or surcharge, could be paid as a lump sum or in equated yearly instalments over 2, 3, 4 or 5 years, at the applicant's choice - with simple interest of 12% per annum payable on the instalment option. Conversion becomes final only once every instalment has been paid.

Documents Required

Under the pre-hold process, a freehold conversion application needed to be submitted with:

• Undertaking by the allottee/purchaser
• Affidavit by the allottee/purchaser
• Indemnity bond from the allottee/GPA holder, and separately from the purchaser
• Copies of DDA documents - allotment letter, possession letter, site possession slip, perpetual lease deed/supplementary lease deed, and mutation letter
• Details of ground rent paid
• NOC from the mortgagee, if the property is mortgaged
• One attested photograph and three specimen signatures, notarised
• Proof of construction - 'D' form, occupancy certificate, or MCD assessment/self-assessment order
• Supporting documents - electricity bill, water bill, bank passbook, house tax receipt
• Photo ID proof - Aadhaar, PAN, passport, voter ID or driving licence
• Building sanction letter and sanctioned plan

Applications were previously submitted at DDA's Nagrik Suvidha Kendra (NSK) counters - Vikas Sadan (INA), Dwarka DDA office complex, and Deepali Chowk (Rohini) - or through DDA's online citizen services portal.

Special Cases

What to Do While It's On Hold

• Gather your documents now - allotment letter, possession letter, lease deed, mutation letter, and recent utility bills. None of this changes regardless of how the policy review turns out, so there's no reason to wait.
• Clear outstanding dues - ground rent or other DDA dues will need to be cleared before conversion is allowed no matter what the revised policy looks like.
• Be cautious of anyone claiming they can process a conversion right now - this is a government-wide administrative pause, not a backlog that a private agent or lawyer can route around.
• Watch official DDA channels - dda.gov.in and DDA's citizen services portal - for the policy update, rather than relying on second-hand claims about when it will reopen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is DDA freehold conversion currently open in Delhi?

No. As of August 2026, both new and pending applications are on hold pending a government policy review, with no announced resumption date.

Q2: Why did DDA stop the process?

The pause followed the Delhi government's revised circle rates, which affect how conversion charges are calculated. DDA is reviewing the policy to rationalise rates and simplify the procedure.

Q3: Will my pending application be rejected because of the hold?

No indication of that - the applications are described as "on hold," not rejected. They remain pending until the policy review concludes.

Q4: What properties are NOT covered by this scheme?

Residential plots under 50 square metres, EWS category allotments on subsidised rates, and hire-purchase allotments are excluded from standard conversion terms.

Q5: How much did conversion cost before the hold?

Charges were based on 1987 land rates, with a 40% remission for original allottees (plus Rs.200 processing fee), or the full charge plus a 33.33% surcharge for GPA holders/purchasers.