In a significant move that brings financial relief to property owners, the Tambaram City Municipal Corporation (TCMC) has announced a drastic reduction in charges for changing names in property tax records. The new, simplified fee structure introduces a uniform rate across the board, effective from January.
A New Year Gift for Property Owners
Previously, the cost for a name transfer in Tambaram's property tax records was a major burden. The fee was calculated as a percentage of the property's market value. This system often forced residents to pay exorbitant sums, ranging anywhere from ₹15,000 to ₹40,000, depending on the size and value of their asset.
Under the revised rules, those charges have been slashed. Now, a uniform fee of just ₹500 will apply for residential properties. For non-residential or commercial properties, the charge has been standardized at ₹1,000.
Aligning with Chennai and Ending Confusion
C Murugaiyan, secretary of the Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations of Tambaram, highlighted the importance of this alignment. He stated that the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) already charges only ₹500 for such transfers. By adopting a similar model, Tambaram will significantly reduce costs for people buying property within its limits, making transactions smoother and more affordable.
The revision follows a government order aimed at standardizing procedures across Tamil Nadu. Tambaram corporation revenue officer Suresh Kumar confirmed, "As per the revised Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies rules, the government standardized the fee for property tax name transfer. This will be implemented across the state from January."
Resident Relief and Past Hardships
The old system caused considerable hardship and confusion among residents. V S Jayaraman, a resident of Chromepet, shared his experience, revealing that many were forced to pay large amounts. "Most residents in Chromepet were asked to pay based on the property value," he said.
Jayaraman detailed his own case, where after being assigned a new assessment number, officials demanded a revised half-yearly tax of ₹4,760, a steep jump from the earlier ₹414. He added that while residents were initially informed earlier dues would be waived, the sudden revision created widespread confusion.
The new flat-rate system eliminates such unpredictable financial shocks, bringing transparency and consistency to the process. This policy change is seen as a major pro-citizen reform by the urban local body, directly putting money back into the pockets of property owners and simplifying bureaucratic procedures for the year ahead.
