Property Registration to Get Costlier in Maharashtra as Document Handling Charges Double

Mumbai, April 16: Property buyers and sellers in Maharashtra will now have to shell out more during property registration, as the state government has approved an increase in document handling charges from ₹20 to ₹40 per page of the agreement.

The move, formalized through a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Revenue Department, marks the first revision in these charges since 2001. The charges are levied in addition to stamp duty and registration fees during the registration of property sale or purchase agreements.

Currently, individuals visiting registration offices are required to pay three separate charges — stamp duty, registration fee, and document handling charges. While the stamp duty and registration fees are collected by the state government, the document handling charges are paid to the software company responsible for managing the digital infrastructure and operations of the property registration system.

According to the GR, the document handling charge of ₹20 per page had remained unchanged for over two decades since it was introduced as part of a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model project initiated in 2001. The government stated that the revision was necessary due to rising costs associated with software development, server infrastructure, data center management, and the overall enhancement of the web-based registration system.

“The increase in charges will support the upkeep and further development of the IT infrastructure required for smooth and secure registration operations,” said an official from the Revenue Department.

The new rates are expected to be implemented shortly and will apply to all property transactions registered across the state.

The decision has sparked mixed reactions from citizens and real estate professionals, with some expressing concerns over rising transaction costs, while others acknowledged the need for robust digital infrastructure in property dealings.