General FAQs about Apartment Registration

As a homebuyer, you have the responsibility to register your apartment with the Government. This process involves paying stamp duty and registration charges and is done in accordance with the provisions of the Registration Act of 1908. 

If you are a first-time homebuyer and are not familiar with the process of property registration in India, here are some commonly asked questions and answers that may help clarify things for you.

Let’s get started.

1. What fees are associated with the process of registering a property?

When registering a property, the buyer will be required to pay stamp duty and registration fees. The amount of stamp duty shall varies from state to state. In certain states, such as Haryana and Maharashtra, there may also be a flat fee for property registration in addition to the percentage charges. In Tamil Nadu, it is a 7% stamp duty and a 4% registration fee on the land value. 1% stamp duty and 1% registration fee on the construction value.

2. Are female buyers eligible for a discount on registration fees?

Although women buyers may receive discounts on stamp duty in certain states, there are no discounts on registration fees in Tamil Nadu. For example, in Delhi, women buyers are required to pay only 4% stamp duty, compared to the 6% that men must pay for property registration. However, both men and women must pay a 1% registration charge.

3. What is the typical time-frame for the completion of the document registration process?

The document registration process typically takes about two weeks to complete. Once it is finished, you can pick up your documents from the sub-registrar’s office. You will also receive a notification on your registered mobile number when the documents are ready to be collected.

4. Is it possible to register a property through an online process?

In many states, buyers are required to visit the sub-registrar’s office in-person to register their properties. However, some states have introduced online services that allow landlords to register their properties online, providing a more convenient and timely process. Both flats and plots can be registered through these online services. But in Tamil Nadu, both the buyer and seller will have to personally visit the SRO.

5. Is it mandatory to register a property?

According to Section 17 of the Registration Act, of 1908, it is legally required for all property buyers to register their newly purchased property in their names. This process involves paying the purchase price as stamp duty and registration fee. 

In the majority of states, property registration can be done at the sub-registrar’s office, while some states offer the option to register properties online. It is important to note that failing to register your property may be costly and risky in the event of a future dispute, as it may be difficult to prove ownership without proper documentation in the Government’s records.

6. What are the documents required for Apartment Registration?

To complete the property registration process, you will need to purchase e-stamp papers and make an online payment for the stamp duty and registration fee. You will also need to present all relevant original documents to the sub-registrar for verification. 

When registering a property online, you will need to provide information such as the property’s description (e.g., number, area, pin code), type (e.g., flat, plot, agricultural), mode of ownership (e.g., purchase, gift, lease), and the owner’s personal details (e.g. name, age, occupation, parent’s name). You will also need to provide proof of the property, such as the title deed or power of attorney.

7. What are the challenges with online land/property registration in India? 

Slow processing speed: The web interface for online land/property registration in India can often be slow, causing users to wait for longer periods of time for forms to load and upload. The page may also crash.

Technical issues with websites: The official websites for online land/property registration may experience technical problems that cause them to stop functioning temporarily.
Offline requirements: Despite the availability of online options for land/property registration in many states, a significant portion of the process must still be completed in-person.

8. Is it possible to withdraw a document that has been presented for registration?

It is possible to withdraw a document that has been presented for registration before the process is finalized. The parties may also apply for a refund of the stamp duty and registration charges, which may be granted in full for the stamp duty and 50% for the registration charges, depending on the circumstances.

Winding Up Our General FAQs about Apartment Registration

All the above FAQs regarding the registration process have been written based on the rules and regulations that were active at the time of writing this article. As a real estate builder, we advise you to always ensure that you make a clear enquiry with your builder with regard to the process of registration at the time of your purchase.