Future inheritance will not disqualify housing applicants: Muththalib

Housing minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib has said that individuals will not be disqualified from the government’s housing scheme on the basis of property they may inherit or receive from parents in the future, unless the asset is already registered in their name.

Application form on the Boahiyaavahikan portal, asks whether applicants have access  “by inheritance, will, distribution or otherwise”  to land, flats or row houses larger than 400 square feet, or have agreed to relinquish such property.

Some have argued that the wording could make individuals ineligible due to property they may receive in the future.

Speaking on PSM’s Raajje Miadhu programme, Muththalib said property distributed by parents to children can be withdrawn if it is not registered under their name.

“For example, parents may give a share of land that can be taken back if they wish. In such a case, we cannot say the person has secured housing rights,” he said.

He said applicants would only be deemed ineligible if the property is registered in their name or if they have signed an agreement and made payment for it.

“There will be no situation where a person is disqualified unless the property is registered in their name or there is a formal agreement in their name,” he said.

Muththalib added that housing regulations may require beneficiaries to agree to relinquish property obtained in the future, but stressed this does not mean the state would confiscate such assets.

“It does not mean the state will take over the property. It simply means that, if a government house is provided, any other available property can be left to other members of the household or family,” he said.

Applications for flats and land under the scheme opened on 18 January. According to the minister, 3,651 applications have been submitted so far, with a further 10,000 saved in draft form.

Under the regulations, Malé residents and individuals who have lived in Malé for at least 15 years are eligible to apply for the three-bedroom flats. The government has allocated 7,900 flats under the project.

For land allocation, 15,000 plots measuring 1,250 square feet each will be issued. Eligibility is limited to Malé residents and those who have lived in the capital for at least 15 years.