In an effort to streamline the registration and transfer of apartment units in the state, the Odisha government has suggested a stamp fee of Rs 50,000 on the transfer of common areas and services of apartment complexes from promoters to associations of allottees. The Indian Stamp (Odisha Amendment) Bill, 2026 was presented to the Odisha Legislative Assembly by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari. The proposed change aims to protect the state government’s income interests, ease the transfer of common areas and facilities, and lessen the financial burden on apartment owners.
Before transferring individual apartment units, promoters must transfer the common areas and facilities of a project to the Association of Allottees via a registered deed in accordance with the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023. The project land, garages, stairwells, elevators, and other amenities related to the apartment complex are examples of common areas and facilities. The government claimed that apartment owners were being burdened financially by the stamp duty that applied to the transfer of these common areas and amenities. The Bill suggests changing Article 23(c) of Schedule I-A of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 to remedy the problem.
The proposed amendment will impose a stamp duty of Rs 50,000 on the deed that transfers facilities and common spaces from the promoter to the Association of Allottees. The transfer deed of a single apartment unit, including the undivided proportionate share in the common spaces, will then be subject to stamp duty at a rate of 5%. According to the administration, the proposed arrangement would secure government revenue while lessening the financial strain on apartment owners. There was formerly a cap of Rs 20,000 on the registration cost for the transfer of an apartment’s common features and amenities.
Additionally, the Bill calls for a uniform charge of 5% to replace the current slab-based stamp duty system of 3%, 4%, and 5% for individual apartment transactions. Stamp duty is now assessed at three percent for flats up to Rs 5 lakh, four percent for apartments between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 15 lakh, and five percent for apartments over Rs 15 lakh.
