Who Can Buy Land in Uttarakhand? Complete Guide with Land laws

In India, Recent developments and growth in the Haridwar real estate sector attracted many NRIs and foreigners to invest. Fortunately, Uttarakhand is one of the most demanded land investment options. But, most people have only one question- “Who can buy land in Uttarakhand?”. We all know govt. of Uttarakhand is very strict with their guidelines and regulations on buying property in Uttarakhand.

This state is famous for being the most visited holiday destination in India with Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Nainital. It doesn’t matter if you are a Non-Resident of India (NRI) or a citizen of India, holiday homes always have a special place in the public’s heart. It offers you a beautiful retreat in some of the most scenic areas and also provides benefits as an investor with high returns.

Types of Lands available for purchase in Uttarakhand

Non-Agricultural Land: Non-agricultural land includes residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Outsiders are generally permitted to purchase non-agricultural land without any restrictions up to 1.25 Nali.

Residential Plots: Various residential plots are available for purchase, which can be used for building homes, Villas, and residential societies.

Commercial Plots: Land designated for commercial purposes are only used for business and industrial activities.

Can Outsiders Buy Agricultural Land in Uttarakhand?

Considering the importance of Uttarakhand and to safeguard the interest of the residents of the state, no outsider including ROI, NRI, or foreigner is allowed to buy agricultural land in Uttarakhand. They can only invest in commercial and residential land categories. As a local resident, if you are buying agricultural land here are the documents to check before buying agricultural land.

NRI (Non-Resident of India)

If you are an NRI and want to buy land in Uttarakhand, there are some specified regulations by the government. NRI can buy up to 1.25 Nali (2700 square feet) of land in Uttarakhand including both residential and commercial.

1 Nali land price in Uttarakhand is Rs 3 lakhs (1 nali = 2160 square feet). Whereas, 1 Bigha = 14.28 nali.

Additionally, if you’re considering buying land more than this limit, then you require a different residential address listed on your Aadhaar card from your spouse because the spouses are referred to as one rather than two different individuals.

However, those who want to develop any kind of trust, a yoga center, or a religious temple are allowed to purchase land in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand govt. offers generation gap investing as a supportive method to buy more than the pre-decided limit (1.25 Nali), if the spouse is a resident of Uttarakhand.

Note: Agricultural land is restricted for sale to NRIs. Also before buying any Uttarakhand land, you should get a Land Use Certificate (LUC) and (NALC) Non-Agricultural Land Certificate.

Major Documents Required by NRI/ Outsider to Buy Land in Uttarakhand

• Copy of the passport.
• Copy of the PAN card.
• Copy of the OCI/PIO card (if applicable)
• Copy of the sale deed or title deed of the property.
• Copy of the latest property tax receipt.
• Copy of the latest electricity bill or water bill.

Foreigners Buying Land in Uttarakhand

There are no major changes or restrictions for Foreigners to buy residential property in Uttarakhand. Although. they just need to get prior approval from the (RBI) Reserve Bank of India.

Resident of India (Outside Uttarakhand)

Due to the Uttarakhand government’s various land regulation acts, an outsider from the state can purchase land in Uttarakhand but with certain conditions and it depends on the type of land you are buying. For instance, as a buyer, you can purchase up to 2700 square feet of non-agricultural land.

For agricultural land, the maximum limit is 12.5 acres by a registered farmer only and is to be used for agricultural activity. Finally, the buyer should ensure that the land transfer is done to update the land records in their name.

How much land can a person own in Uttarakhand?

The amount of land a person can own in Uttarakhand depends on their residency status:

Non-residents (Outsiders): Outsiders can purchase up to 2,700 square feet of land for residential purposes in Uttarakhand. For agricultural land, the purchase limit is 12.5 acres.

Natives of Uttarakhand: Natives or residents of Uttarakhand can own more land, and the specific amount can vary depending on the type of land and its usage. For agricultural land, the limit can be as high as 60 acres or more, depending on the circumstances.

Uttarakhand Land Acts for Outsiders:

The Uttarakhand Land Revenue Act, 2012: This act states that any outsider including ROI and NRI is allowed only to buy land for residential, industrial, or commercial purposes, only local residents of Uttarakhand can purchase for agricultural activity.

The Forest Conservation Act, 1980: As per the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, no person including locals or outsiders is allowed to buy or transfer land in Uttarakhand which comes under the forest land category. Besides, the central government can allow permits in some exceptional cases.

Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA): FEMA is a replacement for FERA (Foreign Exchange Regulation Act). This act is related to the buying and transfer of properties by NRIs. As per this act, any PIO and NRI are allowed to buy the property or any permitted property in India which includes Uttarakhand as well.

The Town and Country Planning Act, 1973: As per this special permission is required by the concerned govt. authority if any outsider or non-resident of Uttarakhand wants to build any kind of construction in Uttarakhand.

The Uttarakhand Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950: After independence, this act was introduced to abolish the zamindari system in Uttarakhand. This step by govt. taken to protect the rights of the tenants. As per this act, proper approval is required by the regular authority, if any outsider wants to buy non-agricultural land in Uttarakhand.

What are the land use conversion charges in Uttarakhand

If you own a piece of land in Uttarakhand, the conversion charges vary whether you’re planning to convert it into a house or a commercial building. The govt. charges about 5% for plots with house construction and, for commercial land, the charge is 20%.

Best Places to Buy Land in Uttarakhand

Haridwar

Living in Haridwar is a pure joy, where you can find lands, apartments, and villas at a competitive price. Also, here you can have your own house close to various spiritual places like Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, and more. Further, buying land in Haridwar can provide you with high property appreciation and fair rental incomes.

Mussoorie

This city has one of the highest land appreciation rates because of its tourist economy. Mussoorie has a perfect view of hills and greenery, where you can buy land to construct buildings for hotel services or even your food chain. Moreover, the circle rate in Mussoorie is approximately Rs 24,000 per sq m to Rs 50,000 per sq m, meanwhile in Doiwala, it is now Rs 8,000 per sqm against the older Rs 5,000 per sq m.

Dehradun

Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand and comes with great investment opportunities. The apartment prices are 70% lower, and builder floors are only 18% of the price. So, if you are thinking of buying land somewhere in Uttarakhand, Dehradun is the best place to buy property in Uttarakhand or a dream home.

Convert Agricultural land to Non-Agricultural with Section-143 Land Act in Uttarakhand

The govt. of Uttarakhand has come up with Section 143 to Convert Agricultural land to Non-Agricultural. As per this act, if you want to make any kind of commercial, residential, or industrial building that was assigned for farming, you require a special permit.

For this, you should visit the SWCS (Uttarakhand Single Window Clearance System portal) and apply to convert your agricultural land under section 143:

Conclusion

We hope this article will help in the buying process of land or property in Uttarakhand state. There are many benefits of having a property in such a beautiful state of India. For instance, you experience beautiful mountain views, greenery areas, and rich culture. If we talk about returns then you expect 4-6% of property to appreciate with high chances of rental income.

Frequently Asked Questions