Guideline value explained
last updated 2026-07-21
Guideline value is the minimum value the Tamil Nadu government fixes for every street and survey number — the legal floor below which a property cannot be registered. Stamp duty is charged on the higher of the sale price and the guideline value. You can look it up free on TNREGINET, without logging in.
What it is
The guideline value — also called government value — is the minimum value the Registration Department assigns to each street, survey number and locality. No property can be registered below it during a sale, which is how the state guards against under-declaration. It is revised periodically; the department carried out an annual revision in January 2026.
Why it matters to a buyer
- It sets your tax floor. Stamp duty and registration are charged on the higher of the sale price and the guideline value — so even a low purchase price is taxed at least on the guideline value.
- It is a price sanity-check. Comparing a property's asking or reserve price to its guideline value gives a rough read on whether the price is in a sensible range, though guideline value is a floor and not the true market rate.
How to check it
Go to the TNREGINET portal (tnreginet.gov.in), open the Guideline Value option, choose the zone and sub-registrar office, and search by street name or survey number. No login is needed and the lookup is free — see the sources below.
The bank-auction angle
At auction, guideline value works two ways. It tells you the minimum on which you will pay ~11% stamp duty and registration when you register the sale certificate — a real cost to add to your bid. And alongside the actual local market rate, it helps you judge whether a reserve is genuinely low. AuctionScope helps you compare a reserve to local rates; the guideline value is a second reference point to pull in.
Frequently asked questions
What is guideline value in Tamil Nadu?
The minimum value the government fixes for each street and survey number, below which a property cannot be registered. It is the floor used to calculate stamp duty and registration charges.
How do I check the guideline value of a property?
On the TNREGINET portal (tnreginet.gov.in): open Guideline Value, pick the zone and sub-registrar office, and search by street name or survey number. It is free and needs no login.
Is guideline value the same as market value?
No. Guideline value is a government-set floor for registration and tax; market value is what the property actually trades at, which can be higher. Use guideline value as a reference, not the market price.
Related terms
Sources
Rates, fees and procedures change — confirm the current position on the official portals below before you act.