A Guide On How To Register A Property And Land Online In India?

The state government of India took initial steps under the ‘Digital India’ campaign to help cut down the hassles of online registry of properties which was an integral part of property registration in India. At present, they have launched several comfortable and easy programs by shifting to the digital world of property registration for citizens.

This also means you are saved from going through the trouble of multiple visits to various government offices all while waiting in a long queue just to get the value of the property registered. As to the reports, a large part of the property registration task can be easily completed through online registry.

So, are you ready to get your dream home registered with just a click? If yes, then you’ve arrived at the right place as we will discuss the procedures to register your property online. Before diving into it, let’s quickly get the basics of online registry and land or property registration first.

What Do You Mean By Property Registration?

Property registration is the legal procedure of submitting relevant documents to the government through the sub-registrar’s office to officially make the property yours. The local authorities register the property under your name under Section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908.

Is Property Registration In India Compulsory? Is It Important For A Registration Of The Property?

As gloomy as it might seem to have a property not registered in your name, it is compulsory for any newly purchased property to be registered under your name, legally obliged under Section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908.

In due process, the home buyers or property owners will need to pay a certain portion of the deal value, also known as the stamp duty to the respective state governments, plus a 1% registration charge.

Adding on, while in most states the buyers have to visit the sub-registrar office to register their properties, some have been successful in launching services that help the landlords to register their properties online, hassle-free, and with time-bound services. This is true for both plots as well as flats.

Stamp Duty and Registration: Online Registry for Properties

Listed below are the sites that will help with property registration across various states in India:

Note – It is pertinent to mention that only a part of the registration process can only be completed via the online platform. This means, that by using the official portal of the state you can easily key in data and information regarding the property’s buyer and seller. Adding on, the platform also allows you to pay the stamp duty and registration charges for property registration.

Nonetheless, in states that haven’t been introduced online as of yet, the landlords will have to eventually book an appointment and visit the sub-registrar office to complete the registration formalities.

How to Complete an Online Registry of Properties? Can You Avoid The Sub Registrar’s Office Completely?

If you are a part of a state that offers services for online registration of properties, there are a few things that you must be aware of:

1) Only Certain Parts of The Process Can Be Completed Online

Irrespective of the state offering land registration online, there is only a certain part of the registration process that can be completed online. What you can do is:

1. Find out the circle rate in your area and decide the total value of your property
2. Calculate payment of stamp duty and registration charges
3. Pay the stamp duty and registration fee online and get a receipt
4. Then, make an appointment with the sub-registrar of your locality and visit the sub-registrar office for the final property registration

2) The Payment Can Only Be Made Online

The land registration of the property is booked only after you paid the required stamp duty and registration charges online. You can make the payment using either your debit card, credit card, or net banking.

3) TDS Of The Property To Be Paid Online: 

In cases where the deal value tends to exceed over Rs 50 lakhs, the buyer must pay 1% of the TDS on the property value online and also get a printout of the receipt for the same. The receipt will be needed at the time of physical verification of the property.

4) Your Mobile Is the key: 

Once you proceed with property registration, your mobile number will hold the key to its completion. Why? You will receive the

1. one-time passwords (OTP) during the course of registration,
2. message regarding the appointment, and
3. process completion.

What Are The Documents Required For Property Registration, Online? And, What Information Is Needed During Registration Of Property?

1) Documents:

You would need to purchase an e-stamp paper plus make the online payment for the same along with the registration charge. These are to be presented in front of the sub-registrar for verification of the property. 

2) Details required for the Online Registry Form

Listed below are a few details that you’d need to fill for property registration:

• The description of the property, such as the number, area, pin code, etc
• The type of the property, such as is it a flat, a plot, etc
• What is the mode of ownership? Was it given as a gift, is it a purchase, gift, a lease, etc
• The details of the landlord, such as the name, age, occupation, parent’s name, etc
• What is the proof of the property, such as the title deed, power of attorney, the latest property register, copy of the latest property register card, etc

What Documents are Required for Property Registration Via The Sub-Registrar’s Office?

Here is the list of things one needs to register their property through a sub-registrar’s office:

1. A duly prepared sale deal on a non-judicial stamp
2. Two passport size photographs on both, the copy of the seller and purchaser
3. E-stamp paper with the correct value of stamp duty
4. E-Registration fee receipt with undertaking
5. Copy of PAN card
6. Original ID proof of the seller, purchaser, and witness
7. Receipt of TDS in case the property in question is more than Rs 50 lakh
8. If the property is a land and house property, the buyer is requested to present the documented history of ownership transfers

When Can One Get Back Their Registered Property Documents Back?

Approximately, it takes about nearly two weeks for the property documents to get registered. And, if you need documents back, you must visit the sub-registrar office for the same.

What Laws Govern The Online Registry of Properties?

There are two laws that are involved in the online registration of properties in India. Let’s have a look at them:

1. Registration Act, 1908: Under Section 17 of this act, all transactions involving the sale of all immovable properties costing more than ₹100 must be registered with the local authorities.
2. Indian Stamp Act, 1889: This act of the Indian government acts as monetary legislation to obligate property or land buyers to pay stamp duty on the registration of their assets.

Issues Regarding Online Registry of Properties in India

As is the case with most government work, an online registry of properties also requires some time to process. Only half of the process is completed online so for the rest, you have to face the sub-registrar’s office. Here’s what you must expect while gearing up for registering your property online:

1. The snail’s pace of work: Mostly, web interfaces work smoothly if you have a strong WiFi connection but with websites as huge as government sites where millions of people are logging in, it could be a painfully slow process. This means you have to have time in your hands to wait to fill up forms and upload them. It shouldn’t be a surprise if the website crashes. Patiently log in again and hope to get it right this time.
2. Website glitches: Official websites are prone to technical glitches too. They might stop working but it’s only temporary so wait for the website to get back on track after an hour or two and you are good to go.
3. Offline registry: A huge part of the online registry process is actually offline. You need to visit a sub-registrar’s office with an appointment that you can book online. Even though most states have moved to the digitised registry, a physical approach is a must.

Things to Remember for Online Registry of Properties

1. Irrespective of the major chunk of the property registration being completed online using the verified portals, all parties involved in the transaction will have to make an appearance at the sub-registrar office. They can book a slot for the same online in order to complete the formality
2. One must complete the online registration of property process only under the guidance of an eligible lawyer, along with the property broker. Avoid the help of the assistance of any third party when attempting to complete the process
3. Two witnesses are required to help get the property registration completed. These witnesses would also need to carry originals and photocopies of identity and address proof
4. Most states have already set up portals to help facilitate online registrations of the property. These portals can provide information on model deeds and stamp duty rates, enabling parties to initiate the registration process. Nevertheless, in order to complete the registration of the property, you will need to physically visit the sub-registrar office.

The Bottom Line: The Online Registry of Properties

Most of the legal procedures in India have now made their presence online with the great move of upgrading their official websites with legal forms for several registration processes. Online registration of land and/or properties is now available in several states in India. There are websites specific to states that can help you with the registration. Even though it’s called online registration, a part of the process still has to be done at a sub-registrar’s office. You can book an appointment for the same online.

Property RegistrationFAQs

1. Is it necessary to register a property?

Yes, it is. All the buyers are legally obliged to register their property under Section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908.

2. What is the property registration charge in India?

In most states, a fee of 1% of the deal value is charged as a property registration fee in India.

3. Can I register my own property with the Land Registry?

Yes, you can. One can opt to register their property themselves or choose a solicitor or conveyancer to do it on their behalf.

4. Can you online register a property?

As mentioned in the article above, most states have already set up portals to help facilitate most online property registrations. These portals provide information such as the model deeds, stamp duty rates and also helps parties initiate the registration process. Nonetheless, you’d still be required to visit the office of the sub-registrar.