How to Transfer a CDA Plot or House to Legal Heirs in Islamabad: Rs 5,000 Fee
Transferring a CDA plot or house to legal heirs in Islamabad? See the Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 fees, the death certificate, affidavit, NOCs and newspaper notices.
When the owner of a CDA plot or house dies, the heirs apply to the CDA for a transfer to legal heirs. The CDA lists a fee of Rs 5,000 for residential property and Rs 10,000 for commercial. The file needs the death certificate, a heirs affidavit, NIC copies, clearances and two newspaper notices.
The family usually learns how many papers are involved only after a bereavement. This guide lists the CDA's documents in the order you can collect them, so nothing waits on a missing stamp.
Start with the death certificate and the list of heirs
Every legal heir transfer starts from two papers: an attested death certificate and an affidavit naming the heirs. The affidavit is notary attested and states the death and who inherits. Gather NIC copies of every heir at the same time.
The CDA's list asks for the attested death certificate, the notary-attested affidavit about the death and the heirs, attested NIC copies of all legal heirs, and special forms for minors. Heirs and their shares come from Islamic inheritance law, which a lawyer or the family court can confirm. A deceased person's CNIC is cancelled after death, and the guide to cancelling a CNIC after death explains the steps.
Take extra care with names. Spelling must match across the NIC, the allotment letter and the affidavit. A small difference can cost weeks.
Prepare the CDA papers one by one
The CDA page lists many papers beyond the family documents. These include the original allotment or transfer letter, a pay order, a release deed if any heir gives up a share, a witness NIC photocopy, revenue and building control NOCs, dues clearance and an indemnity bond.
| Paper | Note from the CDA page |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | Attested |
| Affidavit on death and heirs | Notary attested |
| NIC copies of legal heirs | Attested; forms for minors |
| Original allotment or transfer letter | Required |
| Release deed | If applicable |
| Revenue and BCS NOCs | Required |
| Dues clearance | Required |
| Newspaper notices | Copies from 2 newspapers |
| Indemnity bond | Required |
| Pay order | Rs 5,000 residential, Rs 10,000 commercial |
The CDA list names a "BCS NOC" without explaining the short form, so ask the counter where to get it. If the original letter is lost, replace it first through the steps in the guide to a lost CDA allotment letter.
Publish the newspaper notices and clear the dues
The CDA asks for copies of public notices in two newspapers. The notice tells the public that the heirs plan to take over the plot, so any other claimant can object. Keep the cuttings with the date visible.
Dues must be cleared too. Water, property tax and other charges stay with the plot. The guide to paying CDA property tax and water bills online shows how to check what is owed. You can also request a dues check at the One Window Operation, which the CDA says it answers within 4 working days, as covered in the guide to the CDA Property Information Report and dues check.
Ask the counter which newspapers it accepts and how many days must pass after the notice. The page does not say, and we will not guess.
Submit the file at the One Window Operation
The completed file goes to the CDA, whose head office is at Block V, Sector G-7/4 and is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. The One Window Operation takes most transfer files. Ask for a receipt that lists each paper you hand over.
- Get the attested death certificate.
- Prepare the notary-attested heirs affidavit and NIC copies.
- Collect the original allotment letter and NOCs.
- Publish the notices in two newspapers.
- Clear dues and get the clearance.
- Sign the indemnity bond and any release deed.
- Submit the file with the pay order.
The general process for any CDA transfer is explained in the guide to a CDA plot or house transfer. If the heirs want to sell afterwards, taxes apply, and the guide to tax on buying or selling property explains them.
Know when to see a lawyer
Get legal advice if heirs disagree, if one lives abroad, if a share is being given up or if a will exists. The CDA asks for a release deed when a heir surrenders a share, and a mistake there can reopen the file years later.
Heirs abroad can read how an overseas Pakistani claims inherited property. For other property types, Punjab land has its own route in the guide to inheritance mutation in Punjab. A CDA plot follows the authority's rules instead.
Common questions about CDA transfers to legal heirs
How much does the CDA charge for a legal heir transfer?
The CDA procedures page lists Rs 5,000 for residential property and Rs 10,000 for commercial.
Do all heirs need to sign?
The CDA asks for NIC copies of all legal heirs and a release deed where one gives up a share. Ask a lawyer how it applies to your family.
Are newspaper notices compulsory?
The CDA list includes copies of public notices in two newspapers. Confirm the details with the counter.
Is this the same as a gift transfer?
No. The CDA lists a separate family gift route with its own fee of Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000. Heirs use the legal heirs route.
Can the transfer be done the same day?
The CDA lists a same-day transfer letter for Rs 10,000 extra, if the file reaches the counter before 10 am. Ask whether it applies to heir files.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 8 October 2026 against the procedures page of the Capital Development Authority at cda.gov.pk, the entries for transfer to legal heirs, family gift transfer and same-day transfer letter. The page has no date and no processing time. Inheritance shares are not set by the CDA. We did not test the counter, so confirm each paper and fee there.
About the author
Public Services and Education Journalist
Fajr Riaz is a journalist and content writer at Pakistan Era, based in Lahore. She covers the questions people meet in everyday life in Pakistan: how a public service works, what a change in the rules means, and where to find a reliable answer.
