Affidavit vs Allocation Files in DHA — A Step-by-Step Buyer’s Guide (2025)

Last updated: 4 October 2025 — eProperty.pk

Buying or selling DHA files often starts with one core question: what’s the difference between an Affidavit file and an Allocation file? This guide explains both formats, the exact transfer steps, applicable fees and taxes, timelines, and practical tips—so you can move with clarity and speed.

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Quick Snapshot

• Affidavit File: DHA issues it in favor of the landholder after land surrender. Seller’s name stays fixed; buyer name remains open until filled. Transfer stays fast and cost-light.
• Allocation File: DHA issues it in a buyer’s name (after membership or direct allotment). Transfer follows the regular plot process with full fees, taxes, and NDC.

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1) What Is an Affidavit File?

Definition: DHA issues Affidavit files to landholders against surrendered land (commonly 2× 1-Kanal files per 1 Acre, as a general proportion). DHA prints the Seller’s name on the file and keeps the Purchaser (Buyer) name open—therefore market calls it an open file.

Why it matters: Because the buyer name is open, the initial transfer stays simple, quick, and low-cost.

Typical timeline: 3–4 working days for transfer.

Typical DHA fee (October, 2025): Around PKR 15,000 (5 Marla) to PKR 100,000 (for 2 Kanal) for the Affidavit transfer at the first stage. It may vary from one DHA to another DHA.
Government taxes at this stage: Not charged (no CVT, no Stamp Duty, no Advance Tax on this first Affidavit transfer).

Security: DHA issues both Affidavit and Allocation files; therefore, both carry the same institutional security.

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2) What Is an Allocation File?

Definition: DHA issues Allocation in a specific buyer’s name—either after an Affidavit file converts to Allocation (post-membership) or through direct allotment (e.g., booking or allotment to serving/retired personnel).

Why it matters: Once a file becomes Allocation, every transfer follows the regular plot transfer workflow with full fees, taxes, and NDC.

Typical timeline: 7–15 working days, because the seller must obtain NDC and both parties complete the full transfer cycle.

Presence requirements:

• Affidavit stage: DHA allows transfer without the physical presence of Buyer.
• Allocation stage: Seller and Buyer must appear at DHA for transfer (exceptions exist: Overseas Buyer Transfer or On-Behalf-of Buyer in some chapters like DHA Bahawalpur, DHA Quetta, DHA Multan & DHA Gujranwala).
• Allocation letter collection: The Buyer must personally collect it from DHA.

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3) Affidavit → Allocation: Exact Steps

Stage A — Affidavit Transfer (fast & light):

1. Buyer details: Landholder (Seller) fills the Buyer’s name on the Affidavit file.
2. Fee voucher: Buyer pays the DHA transfer fee (normal or urgent).
3. Submission to DHA: DHA processes the file and issues an Intimation Letter or direct allocation letter in case of DHA Quetta to the Buyer confirming the transfer in Buyer’s name.

Stage B — Membership & Allocation (formalization):
4. Membership: Buyer pays DHA membership fee and becomes a DHA Member.
5. Allocation issuance: DHA issues the Allocation Letter in the Buyer’s name after due processing.
6. From this point on: The file is now Allocation and every future transfer follows the regular plot transfer path with full fees and taxes.

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4) Buying an Allocation File Directly: Step-by-Step

1. Engage an authorized agent like eProperty.pk
2. Deal & token: Agree on price and terms; place token as per practice.
3. NDC: Seller / Authorized Agent applies for NDC from DHA.
4. Transfer booking: Both parties book transfer at DHA.
5. Taxes & fee: Buyer and Seller pay applicable government taxes and DHA transfer fee.
6. Biometric & appearance: Both appear for biometrics and execution (overseas/authorized cases follow allowed alternates).
7. Completion: DHA completes the transfer and updates the title in Buyer’s name.

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5) Fees, Taxes & Timelines — At a Glance (October, 2025)

Item	Affidavit (First Transfer)	Allocation (Every Transfer)
DHA Transfer Fee	~PKR 15,000–100,000 (normal→urgent)	Full DHA transfer fee (vary as per size/ DHA chapter)
CVT (Capital Value Tax)	Not charged at this stage	Applicable (as per law)
Stamp Duty	Not charged at this stage	Applicable
Advance Tax on Purchase	Charged allocation letter collection	Applicable (if thresholds apply)
Advance Tax on Sale	Not charged at this stage	Applicable (if thresholds apply)
NDC	Not required	Required before transfer
Presence for Transfer	Not required (Buyer)	Required (with allowed exceptions)
Allocation Letter Collection	Not applicable yet	Buyer must collect in person
Processing Time	~3–4 days	~7–15 days

Price note: Because Affidavit transfers avoid the full tax stack initially, Affidavit files often trade at a premium over Allocation files.

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6) Key Differences — Plain & Practical

• Name status: Affidavit keeps Buyer name open; Allocation shows Buyer’s name fixed.
• Process weight: Affidavit stays fast and light; Allocation follows full transfer like a plot.
• Cost impact: Affidavit avoids CVT/Stamp at the first step; Allocation incurs all.
• NDC: Affidavit skips NDC; Allocation requires NDC.
• Presence: Affidavit doesn’t require parties to appear; Allocation does, with limited exceptions.
• Conversion path: Most files start as Affidavit and become Allocation after membership; direct allotments start as Allocation on day one.
• Security: Both are DHA-issued and equally secure.

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7) When to Prefer Which?

• Choose Affidavit when you want speed, lower upfront transfer cost, and flexible entry. Consequently, traders and short-term movers often prefer it.
• Choose Allocation when you want immediate formalization or you’re buying direct allotment (e.g., booking, personnel allotment). Furthermore, long-term holders who plan fewer transfers can proceed confidently.

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8) Practical Tips to Avoid Delays

• Verify chapter rules: DHA Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Quetta, Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar apply chapter-specific schedules and fee charts. Always confirm the latest circulars before payment.
• Align timelines with taxes: If you expect a quick flip, Affidavit first can reduce friction; if you expect to hold and build, complete membership early and move to Allocation.
• Keep documents ready: CNIC copies, photographs, membership form, source-of-funds trail, and any authority letters (for overseas/authorized transfers).
• Book slots smartly: Urgent transfer windows can save time when markets move fast.
• Confirm exceptions: Use Overseas Buyer Transfer or On-Behalf-of Buyer options where allowed; still, plan for personal collection of the Allocation letter.

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9) FAQs

Q1: Are Affidavit and Allocation equally safe?
Yes. DHA issues both, so both carry equal institutional security.

Q2: Do all Affidavit files convert to Allocation?
Yes. After DHA issues the Intimation Letter, the Buyer obtains membership and DHA issues the Allocation.

Q3: Why do Affidavit files trade at higher rates?
Because the first transfer avoids CVT, Stamp Duty, and Advance Taxes, the effective entry cost stays lower, so demand often prices in a premium.

Q4: Can I transfer an Affidavit file without appearing at DHA?
Yes. DHA allows Affidavit transfer without the physical presence of Seller/Buyer. Allocation transfer requires appearance (with limited exceptions).

Q5: How long do transfers take?
Affidavit: ~3–4 days. Allocation: ~7–15 days (due to NDC and full process).

Q6: What counts as direct Allocation?
Bookings or allotments to Army personnel (and similar direct issuance) start as Allocation, so full fees and taxes apply on the first transfer.

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10) Conclusion

Affidavit and Allocation describe two stages of the same DHA file journey. Start light with Affidavit for speed and lower initial cost; then formalize through membership to obtain Allocation; finally, treat every later transfer like a regular plot transfer with full compliance. Consequently, you control timing, cost, and liquidity at every step.

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Need Case-Specific Guidance?

For DHA Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Gujranwala, and Bahawalpur—eProperty.pk structures the deal, verifies documents, schedules transfer, and keeps your timeline tight.

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Disclaimer: DHA fee schedules and government taxes (CVT, Stamp Duty, Advance Tax) change from time to time and vary by chapter and property size. Always reconfirm the latest charges and processing windows before payment or booking. Affidavit and Allocations both files are issued by DHA and are equally secure as the issuing authority is Defence Housing Authority

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Please read our FAQ section for commonly asked questions and answers.