Delhi Leasehold Property Owners Get Relief as HC Pushes DDA on Freehold Conversion
New Delhi, Delhi | September 12, 2026: Thousands of Delhi property owners waiting to convert their leasehold properties into freehold ownership could finally see movement after the Delhi High Court set a deadline for authorities to finalise the long-pending policy.
The court has given the Centre, DDA and Land & Development Office (L&DO) until September 28 to place the final policy before it. The development is particularly significant for applicants whose conversion requests have remained stuck despite paying the required charges.
₹155.1 Crore Already Paid by Applicants
The issue affects 1,373 pending applications, with the DDA having already collected around ₹155.1 crore in conversion charges.
However, processing has been held up after the DDA's leasehold-to-freehold conversion portal went offline in February 2026. For property owners, the delay means their applications remain unresolved even after the financial requirement has been met.
Why Freehold Conversion Matters to Property Owners
Converting a leasehold property into freehold can provide owners with broader and more permanent ownership rights over the property and land, subject to the applicable rules.
The status can also matter when owners plan to sell, transfer, finance or otherwise deal with their property. A prolonged conversion delay can therefore create uncertainty for owners who have already started the process.
Court Orders Action on Existing Applications
The High Court has directed that pending applications should be dealt with under the policy that was applicable when the payments were made.
This is an important relief for applicants who have already paid conversion charges. It could prevent their cases from being pushed into a completely different framework if a revised policy is introduced later.
The court has also made it clear that any new conversion policy will operate prospectively, rather than being used to retrospectively alter completed transactions.
What Delhi Property Owners Should Watch
Owners with pending conversion applications should keep their payment receipts, application details and supporting property documents safely available.
For those considering buying a leasehold property in Delhi, the conversion status should be checked carefully before completing a transaction. A property that has an application pending may require additional verification regarding its conversion status, outstanding charges and applicable DDA requirements.
September 28 Could Be a Key Date
The court has directed the Secretary of the Capital Development Department and the DDA Vice-Chairman to participate in the next proceedings.
With the final policy expected to be placed before the court by September 28, the hearing could become an important turning point for Delhi's leasehold property owners.
For applicants who have already paid ₹155.1 crore in conversion charges, the key question now is no longer whether they can apply, but when their long-pending freehold conversion will actually be completed.