Parmesh S Jain
The Kerala stamp act directs that the value of buildings must be assessed based on Public Work Department’s rate and added while registering title deeds.
Earlier, this rule was made mandatory for flats and apartments.Gradually, all buildings except palm-thatched huts are also brought under this rule.
The Kerala government ordered that value of buildings must be given on title deeds for all land transactions.
As per the rule,the land will be registered after documenting the exact value of the building.But it is observed that nobody is following this rule.
As the government made it mandatory to strictly follow the rule for all land transactions,the registration department was benefited during the last financial year.Income from this also increased revenue of the department.
Approved engineers must examine the building and issue an evaluation certificate for completing the land registration.
With this,8 per cent of stamp duty and 2 per cent of the registration fee must be paid for buildings during land registration.
Years ago,the government had issued an order to make valuation certificate of PWD mandatory for land registration.
But people and officials continued to violate the rule.In some places,the value of buildings was marked as Rs 50 per square feet on title deeds.
After noting this illegal practice, the registration department gave strict directions to registrars.
Following this,land owners started to add the exact value of buildings while registering title deeds.
Complaints on determining value of buildings :
Meanwhile,many people have raised complaints about assessing the value of buildings on their land.
While determining the price, the age of the building must be considered.Sometimes,there is delay in estimating the value when the buildings do not have the number.
Engineers approved by the registration department are refusing to issue valuation certificates fearing action from the department over lapses.
Though the department identified over 3000 engineers for this purpose,only 800 are issuing these certificates.
