The second COVID-19 wave coupled with the expiry of the stamp duty cut period will impact the monthly growth momentum of Mumbai’s housing sector. During the period of stamp duty cuts, there was consistent m-o-m growth in sales.

As per data by the Inspector General of Registration (IGR), Maharashtra, the stamp duty cut period between September 2020 to March 2021 saw as many as 80,718 properties registered in Mumbai alone – a growth of 114% against the same period last year (Sept. 2019 to March 2020.)

Prashant Thakur, Director & Head – Research, ANAROCK Property Consultants said, “Despite the stamp duty cuts in this period, the state government collected almost the same volume of registration revenue as it did last year in the same period. The total revenue collected stood at INR 2,914 Cr between Sept. 2020 to Mar. 2021 period, while it was INR 2,958 Cr in the corresponding period a year ago”.

In short, the increased sales volumes aided by the stamp duty cut helped the government avoid severe revenue loss. Ever since the expiry of the stamp duty cut period from 1st April onwards, there has been a marked drop in property registration numbers. Besides the expiry of the stamp duty cut period, the second COVID-19 wave and ensuing restrictions aimed at curtailing the city’s caseload have contributed to the declining numbers.

Clearly, the stamp duty cut significantly stimulated housing demand in the city. The government would do well to seriously consider extending it to keep the property sales momentum – and registration revenue – going.

It is an apt time to consider such a move as the second wave has proved to be far more serious than the first one. Overall, the housing sector is in better equipped this time around as more developers have developed digital marketing capabilities and the government has allowed construction activities to continue.

However, the April-June quarter will certainly be impacted by the rapid spread of the virus. Already, restrictions on interstate movement and the call to steel manufacturers and fabricators to allocate their oxygen supplies to the hospitals have put pressure on the supply chain.

Amid these challenges, the stamp duty cut period showcased that housing demand in the financial capital is very healthy. Industry bodies are campaigning with the state government to ensure that this demand is harnessed to everyone’s benefit.

About the author- Prashant Thakur, Director & Head – Research, ANAROCK Property Consultants