Property Registration: What to Check Before You Buy

Buying property is one of the biggest decisions you will make. A few careful checks before you sign can save you from years of litigation and loss.

Verify the Title

Confirm that the seller is the true, legal owner and has a clear, marketable title with an unbroken chain of ownership. This is the single most important check.

Get an Encumbrance Certificate

This shows whether the property is free of loans, mortgages or legal dues. Never buy a property with unresolved encumbrances until they are cleared in writing.

Documents to Verify

Before you commit, insist on seeing:

• The sale deed and prior title documents
• The encumbrance certificate
• Approved building plan and completion/occupancy certificate
• Latest tax receipts and no-dues certificates
• RERA registration for under-construction projects

The Registration Process

Once due diligence is clear, the sale deed is executed on stamp paper and registered at the sub-registrar’s office. Registration gives your ownership full legal effect — never skip it or delay it.