Chennai Corporation’s property tax reassessment drive draws flak for lack of transparency

Published 13 August 2026 · local

The Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) property tax reassessment drive has drawn heavy backlash over sharp increases and a lack of prior consultation and transparency. A

The Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) property tax reassessment drive has drawn heavy backlash over sharp increases and a lack of prior consultation and transparency. A GCC official said the revised tax was based on self-declared property area. The first revision was carried out in 2018, followed by a major one in 2022, but the collection was subsequently paused. The revised rate should have been collected 2022 onwards, and is now being implemented, he said. T.K. Shanmugam, chairman of the Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Associations (FNCRWA), said a resident, who had been paying a property tax of ₹295, was demanded ₹3,255 following the reassessment, without receiving any explanation. Shanmugam said the residents were not given details such as the rate per square foot or the basis for the revised assessment. He further questioned whether the residents would be able to approach the Revenue Department officials to raise objections, given the large number of properties involved. He said many houses in North Chennai had undergone additions over the years that may not have been reflected in earlier assessments. However, he criticised the manner in which such changes were being reassessed using only drone and GIS-based methods, without manual confirmation. Many also took to social media, saying the sudden move and close deadline had put several residents between a rock and a hard place.

Sandhya Vedullapalli, secretary of the Federation of Anna Nagar Residents’ Associations, said that for her, the tax was revised from ₹895 to ₹1,835 — a 100% increase. She alleged that in an apartment complex, only one flat had received the reassessment notice, raising questions about uniformity in the exercise. For Vijaykumar, who owns a space in Mogappair, the rate went up from ₹6,500 for six months to over ₹31,000, nearly a five-fold increase. “I am yet to raise an objection. Such sudden increases could affect businesses, especially small ones,” he said. ‘Received information’ Meanwhile, Tiruvottiyur CPI(M) councillor R. Jayaraman said several residents in his ward had received information regarding the revision. He said the GCC had taken the decision without passing a resolution in the Council. “There was no prior information. When there is an online gateway to register complaints about all issues, there ought to be one for this too. We will put forth our objection in the next Council meeting,” Mr. Jayaraman said. Pointing out that the earlier property tax increases had contributed to public dissatisfaction with the previous regime, CPI(M)’s G. Selva said the new government should reconsider the decision. Some residents of Thoraipakkam and Neelankarai had received information about the revision, A. Francis of Thoraipakkam Residents’ Welfare Association said. Buffer zone Kumararaja of Velachery said some residents of Tansi Nagar, Annai Indira Nagar, Vijay Nagar, Mahatma Gandhi Street, and Nehru Street had received reassessment notices.