Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) recently announced its decision to implement close to a 100% increase in its property-transfer fees across the city, a news source reported. As per details, this policy will be applicable on all residential colonies and housing schemes situated in Rawalpindi.
The upsurge in rates comes as an attempt to generate more revenue for the Water & Sanitation Agency (WASA). The new rates will go into effect following Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar’s approval.
As per reports, the per-marla transfer fee for residential units measuring between 5 and 10 marlas has been increased up to PKR 2,800 (from the previous PKR 1,400 per marla); while the per-marla transfer fee for properties measuring in excess of 10 marlas has been fixed at PKR 3,000.
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Previously, the owners of 1-kanal units were charged a transfer fee of PKR 1,500 per marla; which has been increased up to PKR 2,500 per marla. Moreover, the fee for plots smaller than five marlas will remain unchanged at PKR 1,400.
Meanwhile, the development authority has announced its decision to double the transfer charges for all commercial units situated in Rawalpindi. As per the announcement communicated, properties ranging from 1 to 7 marlas will be charged a transfer fee of PKR 8,000 per marla, 10-marla units will be charged PKR 10,000 (per marla); while 1-kanal units will be charged a fee of PKR 12,000 per marla.
Similarly, the owners of 1-kanal residential-cum-commercial units will be charged PKR 7,500 per marla instead of the previous rate of PKR 3,750 per marla.
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In cases of inheritance, the transfer fee has been increased from PKR 500 per marla to PKR 5,000 per marla. Residential-cum-commercial units in this category will be charged PKR 10,000 instead of the previous PKR 1,000.
The RDA has also increased the building scrutiny charges at the same time. Rates for commercial buildings have gone up from PKR 7 to PKR 10 per square foot, while apartment buildings will be charged PKR 5 per square foot instead of the previous PKR 3 per square foot. Similarly, industrial buildings will be charged PKR 10 per square foot instead of the previous PKR 5 per square foot.