Documents to check before buying any property

A property deal is only as safe as its paperwork. Ask for the following before any money changes hands, and insist on originals or certified copies.

• Sale deed / title deed — proves the seller owns what they are selling. Check the chain for at least the last 30 years for resale property.
• Encumbrance certificate (EC) — issued by the sub-registrar; shows whether the property is mortgaged or under a legal charge for the period requested.
• Khata / mutation extract — the municipal record of who is liable for property tax. The name here should match the seller.
• Latest property tax receipts — unpaid tax becomes your problem after transfer.
• Approved building plan and completion / occupancy certificate — for flats and houses; an unapproved floor or an extension beyond the sanctioned plan can be demolished.
• RERA registration — mandatory for most new projects; look the number up on the state RERA portal and compare the promised possession date.
• Society NOC and share certificate — for apartments in a registered cooperative society.
• Power of attorney — if someone other than the owner is signing, the POA must be registered and specifically allow a sale.

For plots and agricultural land add the record of rights (RTC / 7-12 extract / jamabandi), the conversion order if agricultural land is being used for housing, and a survey sketch showing the boundaries.

General information only. Have a lawyer conduct a formal title search before signing.