CHENGALPATTU PROPERTIES PROPERTY VERIFICATION CHECKLIST 10 Legal Steps Before Buying Land in Tamil Nadu SAMPLE / REFERENCE TEMPLATE ONLY This checklist is a general-purpose guide for your own reference. It is NOT legal advice and does not cover every situation. Laws, procedures and local practices change — always verify current requirements and consult a qualified advocate / licensed document writer before making any property purchase decision or signing any document. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 1 — VERIFY PATTA / CHITTA (பட்டா / சிட்டா) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Confirm the land is recorded in the seller's name in the Patta (ownership record) and Chitta (land classification record) maintained by the Revenue Department. Check the survey number, sub-division number, extent (area), and classification (Nanjai/wet or Punjai/dry) match the property being sold. Obtain these via the TN eServices portal or the local Village Administrative Officer (VAO) / Taluk office. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 2 — OBTAIN AND EXAMINE THE ENCUMBRANCE CERTIFICATE (EC) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Request an EC covering at least the last 30 years (13 years minimum, 30+ years recommended for high-value purchases) from the Sub-Registrar office or TNREGINET. The EC lists every registered transaction, mortgage, lease, and charge on the property. Confirm there are no pending loans, mortgages, or disputes recorded against the property, and that the ownership chain matches what the seller claims. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 3 — TRACE THE TITLE DEED CHAIN (PARENT DOCUMENT CHAIN) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Ask for certified copies of the parent document(s) and trace ownership backward through prior sale deeds, gift deeds, partition deeds, or legal heir certificates for at least 30 years. Ensure there are no broken links, unresolved partitions, or conflicting claims in the chain of title. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 4 — CHECK DTCP / CMDA LAYOUT APPROVAL -------------------------------------------------------------------- If buying a plot in an approved layout, verify the DTCP (Directorate of Town and Country Planning) or CMDA (Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, for areas within its jurisdiction) approval number. Cross-check the approval on the official DTCP/CMDA portal — unapproved "layouts" are a very common source of disputes and cannot get bank loans or municipal services (water, EB, sewage connections) easily. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 5 — CONFIRM THE PROPERTY IS FREE OF ENCUMBRANCES & LITIGATION -------------------------------------------------------------------- Beyond the EC, check for pending civil suits, injunctions, or government acquisition notices (e.g., road-widening, SIPCOT, or highway acquisition) by inspecting records at the local sub-court, Tahsildar office, and, where possible, doing a title search through an advocate. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 6 — VERIFY PROPERTY TAX RECEIPTS -------------------------------------------------------------------- Request the latest property tax paid receipts from the local Panchayat, Municipality, or Corporation. Confirm the property tax records match the seller's name and there are no outstanding dues. Unpaid tax dues can become the buyer's liability after registration. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 7 — MATCH THE SURVEY / FMB SKETCH WITH GROUND REALITY -------------------------------------------------------------------- Obtain the Field Measurement Book (FMB) sketch from the Survey Department and get a licensed surveyor to physically verify the plot boundaries, dimensions, and access road match the sketch and the sale documents. Confirm there is no boundary overlap or encroachment. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 8 — VERIFY SELLER'S IDENTITY AND, IF APPLICABLE, POWER OF ATTORNEY -------------------------------------------------------------------- Confirm the seller's identity with original government ID proof. If the transaction is being conducted through a Power of Attorney (POA) holder, verify the POA is registered, current (not revoked or expired), and specifically authorizes sale of this property. Where possible, have the actual owner also confirm the transaction. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 9 — CHECK FOR PENDING LITIGATION / COURT CASES -------------------------------------------------------------------- Search relevant court records (District Court / High Court, as applicable) for any pending litigation involving the property or the seller that could affect the sale, and ask the seller directly to disclose any known disputes, family partition claims, or tenancy issues. -------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 10 — COMPARE WITH THE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINE VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------- Check the current government-notified guideline value for the zone via TNREGINET. This determines the minimum stamp duty/registration value and helps you sanity-check whether the negotiated sale price is reasonable and consistent for the area. -------------------------------------------------------------------- FINAL NOTE -------------------------------------------------------------------- This checklist is meant to help you organize your own due-diligence process. It is not exhaustive and does not replace professional legal review. Before signing any agreement or making any payment, have all documents reviewed by a qualified advocate familiar with Tamil Nadu property law. Prepared for reference by Chengalpattu Properties chengalpattuproperties.com