Stamp Duty Lease Maharashtra 2026: A Simple Guide for Commercial Offices in Pune
- October 29, 2026
Planning to rent an office in Pune? One of your first cost questions is likely this: how much is the stamp duty lease Maharashtra law asks you to pay?
Here is the short answer. Most office rentals in Maharashtra are signed as a leave and licence agreement. Stamp duty on it is 0.25% of the total sum, and registration is compulsory. A true lease deed is charged in a different, higher way.
This guide explains both in plain words, with worked examples for Pune. It is written for business owners, SMEs and company teams who are choosing an office. We checked the rates and rules in October 2026.
What Is the Stamp Duty on a Commercial Lease in Maharashtra?
For an office on a leave and licence agreement, the stamp duty is 0.25% of the total sum. This covers terms up to 60 months (5 years). The rate is the same in Pune, Mumbai and every other city. It is also the same for homes and offices.
“Total sum” means three things added together:
- All rent for the full term, including any renewal period named in the agreement
- Any non-refundable deposit, advance or premium
- 10% a year on any refundable security deposit (this is a notional charge, not real interest you pay)
You must also register the agreement. The registration fee is ₹1,000.
Did the rules change in 2026? Maharashtra passed some stamp law changes this year. They cover duty refunds and bank guarantees. We found no change to the rate on leave and licence or lease deeds. Still, please check the latest rate before you sign.
Leave and Licence vs Lease Deed: Which One Will You Sign?
Many websites mix these two up. That is why you see different numbers online. The table below clears it up.
Point | Leave and licence | Lease deed |
Law | Article 36A | Article 36, read with Article 25 |
Term | Up to 60 months | Any term, short or long |
What you get | Permission to use the space | A right in the property |
Stamp duty | 0.25% of the total sum | Sale-rate duty on 10%, 25%, 50% or 90% of market value, based on term |
Registration fee | ₹1,000 | 1% of value, or ₹30,000, whichever is less |
Registration | Compulsory | Needed for leases over one year |
Best for | Standard office rentals, shorter deals | Long-term deals |
The name on the paper does not decide the type. What the document actually gives you does. Ask your advocate to pick the right form before the draft is final.
How to Calculate Stamp Duty Lease Maharashtra Offices Pay (Leave and Licence)
Use this formula:
Stamp duty = 0.25% × (total rent + non-refundable deposit + 10% × refundable deposit × number of years)
Here is an example. A company rents an office at ₹1,50,000 a month for 36 months. It pays a refundable deposit of ₹9,00,000.
Step | Amount |
Total rent: ₹1,50,000 × 36 months | ₹54,00,000 |
Deposit charge: 10% × ₹9,00,000 × 3 years | ₹2,70,000 |
Total sum | ₹56,70,000 |
Stamp duty at 0.25% | ₹14,175 |
Registration fee | ₹1,000 |
Total government cost | ₹15,175 |
These figures are an example only. Your rent, deposit and term will give a different result.
How a lease deed is charged
A lease deed uses the sale (conveyance) rate on a share of the property’s market value. The share depends on the lease term.
Lease term | Duty charged on |
Up to 5 years | 10% of market value |
Over 5 and up to 10 years | 25% of market value |
Over 10 and up to 29 years | 50% of market value |
Over 29 years, or no fixed end | 90% of market value |
Premium and security deposit count as part of the value. Renewal periods named in the deed count as part of the term.
Here is a simple example. Say the market value is ₹2 crore and the term is 5 years. Duty is charged on 10% of ₹2 crore, which is ₹20 lakh. At the 5% sale rate, that is about ₹1,00,000. Extra cess and the exact market value should be confirmed with your advocate. This is not a quote.
One point matters for planning. The 0.25% route covers up to 60 months, renewals included. Longer terms move you to the lease deed method, so decide your term before you negotiate.
What Else Adds to Your Office Cost?
Stamp duty is only one line in your budget. Think about these too:
- Who pays the duty: The law does not fix this. In many deals the occupier pays, but it is a deal point. Write it down.
- GST on rent: Commercial rent can attract GST (currently 18%) when the landlord is GST-registered. Ask your CA.
- Bank guarantee: If you give one instead of a cash deposit, Maharashtra notified a new stamp rule for guarantees in July 2026. Ask your advocate how it applies.
- Running costs: Maintenance, parking, power backup and fit-out costs.
Stamp Duty Lease in Pune: What Is Different for Local Businesses?
The rate does not change. The state sets it, so stamp duty lease in Pune is the same as in Mumbai or Nagpur. What changes is your rent, your deposit and, for a lease deed, the market value of the property.
Ready Reckoner rates differ by zone across Pune city, PCMC and the wider region. If you sign a lease deed, a higher value can mean higher duty.
Pune’s office areas are spread out. Wagholi and Mundhwa are in the east. Shivajinagar is central. Baner is in the west, and Bund Garden is close to the city centre. Your location often affects your total cost more than stamp duty does. Check:
- How long your team will take to reach work each day
- Access to the airport and major highways, if your staff or clients travel
- Food, housing and schools near the office
- Parking, power backup and building management
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using “0.25%” for every deal, even for long leases
- Leaving out the 10% a year charge on the refundable deposit
- Forgetting that renewal periods count in the term
- Skipping registration. An under-stamped or unregistered paper may not be accepted as evidence, and a penalty can apply.
- Using an old rate sheet from 2024 or 2025 without checking
- Signing before checking the owner’s title papers and the building’s approvals
Checklist: What to Do Before You Sign
How to Choose the Right Office Building in Pune
A good building can matter more than a small saving on duty. Look at location, staff access, power backup, safety, parking, amenities and room to grow. Green and digital ratings, such as IGBC and WiredScore, can also help.
Amar Builders offers several office projects in Pune that you can compare on these points:
- AP4 Tech Park in Wagholi sits in Pune’s eastern corridor, near the airport and highways. It is IGBC pre-certified Platinum and WiredScore Platinum rated, with a 450-seat food court and sports facilities.
- Amar Summit at Ganeshkhind, Shivajinagar, is also IGBC pre-certified Platinum. It has a 400-seat cafeteria and a 60-seat multipurpose hall.
- AP81 is in Mundhwa, on the eastern side of the city.
Amar Builders also gives leasing and resale support for tenants and investors. Offices at these projects start from 20,000 sq ft, so they suit larger teams. Smaller teams can still use the checklist above for any building. Always confirm space, specs and RERA details with the team before you decide.
FAQs on Stamp Duty for Commercial Leases in Maharashtra
1. What is the stamp duty on a commercial lease in Maharashtra?
For leave and licence up to 60 months, it is 0.25% of the total sum. A lease deed uses a sale-rate method on 10% to 90% of market value, based on term.
2. Is the rate different for offices and homes?
No. The 0.25% rate on leave and licence does not depend on whether the space is a home or an office.
3. Is registration compulsory?
Yes, for leave and licence. The fee is ₹1,000. A lease deed over one year must also be registered.
4. Is the security deposit counted?
Yes. A non-refundable deposit counts in full. A refundable deposit adds 10% a year to the total sum.
5. Who pays the stamp duty, the landlord or the occupier?
The law does not decide this. It is agreed between the two sides. Put it in writing in the agreement.
6. Can I pay stamp duty online in Pune?
Yes. Maharashtra allows online payment through its GRAS system and e-filing with the IGR (Inspector General of Registration) department. Check the current steps before you start.
Conclusion
The stamp duty lease Maharashtra rule is simple once you know which form you sign. A leave and licence for up to 60 months costs 0.25% of the total sum plus a ₹1,000 registration fee. A lease deed follows the market value slabs. Count your deposit and renewals, agree who pays, and check the latest rates before signing.
Ready to Plan Your Pune Office?
If you are comparing offices, explore office projects by Amar Builders across Pune, including options in Baner and Bund Garden. You can also contact the Amar Builders team to discuss your office needs or plan a site visit.
This article is for general information. It is not legal or tax advice. Please confirm current rates with the Maharashtra IGR office or your advocate before you sign.
About Amar Builders
Amar Builders is a Pune real estate developer that has been building since 1978. Its work spans residential, commercial, IT, hospitality, industrial and healthcare projects, with more than 87 projects completed. The company follows IGBC guidelines where possible and offers value-added services such as leasing and resale, interior fit-out management, facility management and portfolio management. Its office portfolio covers Wagholi, Mundhwa, Shivajinagar, Baner and Bund Garden, and its homes portfolio includes Baner and Koregaon Park. Amar Builders focuses on well-planned buildings and long-term relationships with the businesses and families it serves across Pune.
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