Land can only be relinquished to family members who don’t already own a land plot or flat

While recipients of land from the greater Male’ area under public housing schemes now have the option of relinquishing their existing land to family instead of the government, the new policy also dictates that it can only be relinquished to a member of the immediate family who does not already have a plot of land or flat registered to their name.

At a press briefing on Monday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the decision to change the policy that requires people who apply for public housing schemes to relinquish land plots that they own that are smaller than 400 square feet in size, so that it can be retained within the family instead of going to the government.

This new policy was published on the Government Gazette on Monday.

The policy states that housing recipients may relinquish their existing land to either a child by birth, a parent, a spouse or a sibling. If the recipient does not have such a family member, then the land will need to be relinquished to the state or a party determined by the government.

If the land the recipient owns that needs to be relinquished is co-owned, then the plot area they own must be relinquished to a child by birth, a parent, spouse or sibling. If the recipient does not have such a family member, then the land will need to be relinquished to the state or a party determined by the government.

If the recipient is required to relinquish a land they inherited from a parent, child or spouse following the death of the original owner, and after the court confirms the inheritance, then the plot area they own must be relinquished to a child by birth or sibling.

The policy states that those who are unable to build on their land due to the small size or location in a narrow road or those who wish to relinquish their ownership of the entire land under the exchange method, must relinquish the land they previously owned for free to the state or a party determined by the government within five years from the date on which they receive their new land.

The policy dictates that the land cannot be relinquished to a party who already owns a land plot larger than 400 square feet, or a land plot, flat or housing unit under a public housing scheme.