What to confirm before buying an immovable property.

 

Thinking about buying a place—house, flat, plot, or whatever? Yeah, it’s exciting, but you don’t want to get stuck in some legal mess. Trust me, paperwork is not the spot to cut corners. Here’s the real deal checklist, minus the sugar-coating:

     First off, that Sale Deed (aka Title Deed)? Non-negotiable. That’s your proof the seller actually owns the property and can legally hand it over. Don’t just take their word for it—dig into the document and make sure the title’s squeaky clean.

     Hit up the Sub-Registrar’s Office to double-check the registration. If it’s not in their records, big red flag. Same goes for the municipal records. You want that property showing up in the city’s books, or you might end up paying taxes on something that’s not even properly listed.

     Now, the Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is your friend here. It’ll spill the tea on whether the property’s tied up in loans or legal drama. Grab Form 15 if there’s any baggage, Form 16 if it’s all clear. Both from the Sub-Registrar’s Office.

     Mutation Records might sound like sci-fi, but they just show who’s been paying taxes on the land and what it’s being used for. You want these to match up with everything else. And while you’re at it, ask for tax receipts from the last few years—no one likes surprise bills.

     Building plans? Don’t skip this. If you’re buying a flat or anything with walls, make sure the local authorities signed off on those blueprints. Illegal construction is just begging for drama later. And if it’s a new building, you need an Occupancy Certificate (OC) and a Completion Certificate (CC)—basically proof the building is finished, up to code, and not about to get bulldozed.

     Bigger properties or flats usually need a stack of No Objection Certificates (NOCs)—think electricity, water, fire, pollution control. No NOC, no go.

    If the property was ever mortgaged, get the release certificate to show the loan’s paid off and no bank’s lurking in the background.

    Possession Letter’s next. It’s basically your “Hey, this place is officially mine now” note from the seller.

    For new builds, you want the Allotment Letter and Builder-Buyer Agreement from the builder or housing society. They lay out everything: payment schedules, delivery dates, what they owe you, stuff like that.

    Someone selling on someone else’s behalf? Don’t just nod along—demand to see the power of attorney, and check that it’s legit and registered.

     If it’s an under-construction project, make sure it’s registered with RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) for your state. No RERA, no peace of mind.

    Honestly, unless you’re some kind of legal eagle, get a property lawyer to go over all this with a fine-tooth comb. It’s worth every penny to avoid a property nightmare. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.