When you buy property, the sale deed is not just a piece of paper; it’s the legal proof of your title. Two key steps make it valid: paying stamp duty and getting the document registered with the appropriate authority.

Stamp duty is a type of tax on the transaction, usually calculated as a percentage of the property’s value (market value or declared value, as per rules). Understating the price to save duty is risky – authorities can reassess value and impose penalties.

Registration means the deed is recorded in official books. This gives public notice that ownership has changed. Unregistered documents in many cases are not admissible to prove transfer of property rights, except in limited situations.

Buyers should ensure that:

• Correct stamp duty is paid,
  
• All required parties sign the document,
  
• Registration is done within the prescribed time limit,
  
• Mutation and local records are updated afterwards.
  

Saving a little money by avoiding proper stamp and registration can lead to huge trouble later – disputes, difficulty in selling, and problems with loans or inheritance.