The Delhi government has announced a major policy change, making clearance of all outstanding water bills mandatory for property registration. This step is designed to tackle over Rs. 16,000 crores in accumulated water bill dues and stop the practice of carrying forward unpaid water meter charges indefinitely during property transfers.

The new policy aims to improve compliance, boost the Delhi Jal Board (DJB)'s revenue, and ensure accountability from both property buyers and sellers. By linking a clear bill history to legal ownership transfer, the government is closing a major loophole.

Crucially, an amnesty scheme will precede the new rule. Expected this month, the scheme will waive 100% of the Late Payment Surcharges (LPSC) on water bills for domestic and government users. LPSC makes up the vast majority (Rs. 11,069 crore) of the outstanding amount. The amnesty will run from November until March 31, 2026. This allows residents to clear the principal dues with a clean slate before the full enforcement of the registration policy.