After 23 Years, Maharashtra Doubles Fee for Property Agreement Documents
After 23 Years, Maharashtra Doubles Fee for Property Agreement Documents
Maharashtra residents looking to register real estate agreements will now have to shell out more money, as the state government has increased the document handling fee from Rs 20 to Rs 40 per page. This revised fee comes in addition to existing charges like stamp duty and the registration fee, which citizens are required to pay when visiting government registration offices.
According to a government resolution (GR) issued by the state revenue department, the previous fee of Rs 20 was introduced back in 2001 as part of a BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) initiative to computerise the registration process. However, officials say the revision was necessary due to rising costs associated with maintaining the software system, data centers, and server infrastructure that support the digital registration framework.
The document handling charges are collected by the private software company that operates the registration system, while the state government earns revenue from the stamp duty and registration fees.
Despite the justification provided, the move has sparked criticism from consumer rights groups. Many believe the government is passing on the burden of digitalisation to the public.
Sachin Shingvi, president of the Association of Service Providers in Maharashtra, told TOI, “Stamp duty and registration fees already contribute 7% of the property value to the state. Charging Rs 40 per page just to scan documents is essentially taking advantage of ordinary citizens.”
He also highlighted inconsistencies in the fee structure. “Even in cases where document scanning isn’t required—like rental agreements—the state still charges Rs 300 per document. This is completely unjustified,” Shingvi added.
Consumer advocates have urged the state to provide greater transparency in how these fees are calculated and applied. Some have even suggested that the government, rather than citizens, should bear the costs of maintaining digital infrastructure essential for the registration process.
