It has become a popular trend to invest in second homes, especially in areas that offer comfortable living in the lap of nature. This is one of the primary reasons that property investment in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand has seen a tremendous rise in the past decade.
Data available with Housing.com shows average rate of properties in the capital city of Dehradun is currently in the excess of Rs 5,000 per square feet (psf) ─ an increase of over 24% as compared to the last year. Land value in cities, such as Dehradun, Haridwar and Nainital has witnessed 100% increase in the past one year. A lot of this appreciation in rates has to do with the fact that the state government has announced an average hike of around 33% in February this year.
Amid this tremendous spike in property rates, the Uttarakhand government has decided to apply more checks on property and land investments in the state. To effectuate this, the state will introduce a law, following the suggestions of an expert panel formed by the Uttarakhand government. The panel submitted its report in August.
“We’re not stopping non-domiciles from purchasing land for residential purposes. But we want to prevent misuse of land like someone buying land for industrial and tourism purposes and later changing its land use to sell it in small plots,” the panel head Subhash Kumar told media.
“Anyone could buy land in Uttarakhand without any questioning so far. However, we have now decided to examine the reason for the purchasing and the person’s background,” Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told media in May 2023.
How much land can you buy?
In 2007, a law was passed in the state, prohibiting Uttarakhand non-residents from buying more than 500 square metre (sqm) of land in the hills for residential purposes. In 2012, the state reduced this limit to 250 sqm. To buy a larger piece of land, one would require special permissions from the state government. Note that this limit is only applicable on land purchases in the hills and not in areas covered under the municipal bodies.
See also: Pros and cons of buying a second home in Uttarakhand
Can you buy agricultural lands?
Non-domiciles are not allowed to buy agricultural lands in Uttarakhand. However, for projects related to agriculture, tourism, energy, and horticulture, one can buy up to 30-acre land in the state, which was created after the bifurcation of Uttar Pradesh in 2000. This has been made possible by making an amendment in the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950, through the Uttarakhand Amendment Act.
Do outsiders need any special permission to buy lands?
Yes, an outsider will have to get permission from the Uttarakhand revenue department through the district magistrate or the sub-divisional magistrate in the form of Non-Agricultural Land Certificate (NALC).
Application to buy land in Uttarakhand
Stamp duty in Uttarakhand
| Ownership type | Stamp duty as a percentage of registered property value | Registration charge as a percentage of registered property value |
| Men | 5% | 2% |
| Women | 3.75%* | 2% |
| Man + Woman | 4.37%* | 2% |
| Man + Man | 5% | 2% |
| Woman + Woman | 3.75%* | 2% |
See also: Stamp duty and registration charges in Dehradun, Uttarakhand
FAQs
Can non-Uttarakhand residents buy lands in the state?
Yes, non-Uttarakhand residents can buy lands in the state.
How much land can a non-Uttarakhand resident buy in the state?
A non-Uttarakhand resident can buy land measuring up to 250 square meter.
What is the average price of land in Uttarakhand?
One may have to spend several crores in this hilly state to purchase land, depending on its location.
How much is one Nali in Uttarakhand?
Nali is a local land measurement unit used in Uttarakhand. One Nali is equal to 2,160 square feet.
How much is one Bigha in Uttarakhand?
One Bigha is equal to 6,804 square feet in Uttarakhand.
Can I buy agricultural land in Uttarakhand?
No, non-residents of India, including foreigners and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are not allowed to purchase agricultural land in Uttarakhand. They can buy non-agricultural land for residential or commercial purposes.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, Sunita Mishra brings over 16 years of expertise to the fields of legal matters, financial insights, and property market trends. Recognised for her ability to elucidate complex topics, her articles serve as a go-to resource for home buyers navigating intricate subjects. Through her extensive career, she has been associated with esteemed organisations like the Financial Express, Hindustan Times, Network18, All India Radio, and Business Standard.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sunita holds an MA degree in Sanskrit, with a specialisation in Indian Philosophy, from Delhi University. Outside of her work schedule, she likes to unwind by practising Yoga, and pursues her passion for travel.
sunita.mishra@proptiger.com
Related Posts
‘Adoption of technology can ensure faster delivery and higher profits in residential realty’.
All about Delhi’s E-Dharti portal.
HRDA: All About The Haridwar-Roorkee Development Authority.
Puravankara posts highest ever sales for September quarter.
Builders bet big on Akshaya Tritiya; launch lucrative offers.
Pune property registrations cross 14K-mark in March 2023: Report.
