Any real estate purchase — whether it's an apartment, independent house, vacant land, or farm land — is an exciting milestone. But for anyone outside the real estate field, the process can quickly become overwhelming. One of the most common questions we hear at PropertyChennai.com is: what documents should I actually be checking?
The answer matters more than most buyers realise. Title disputes, hidden encumbrances, and fraudulent sales deeds are not rare in Tamil Nadu — and many of them could have been caught with a thorough document check before the sale was executed.
Here is a complete checklist of the documents you should scrutinise before any property purchase.
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Sale Deed (Current Ownership Proof) The primary document establishing the seller as the legal owner. Must be registered at the Sub-Registrar's Office. Verify that the seller named in the Sale Deed matches the person selling to you.
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Construction Agreement (for Flats / Apartments) If buying a flat or apartment, the Construction Agreement between the builder and the land owner is critical. It establishes what was agreed to be built, on which land, and on what terms.
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Building Plan Approval Issued by CMDA (Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority), DTCP, or the relevant Local Planning Authority. Confirms the building was legally approved and built according to sanctioned plans. Deviations from the approved plan are a red flag.
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Patta / Chitta / Adangal / A-Register (Revenue Records) Government revenue records that confirm the owner's name, survey number, and the extent of the property. Essential for verifying that the seller has legitimate possession and that the land area matches what is being sold.
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Parent Documents (Title History) The chain of ownership documents going back at least 30 years. Used to verify there are no hidden encumbrances, undisclosed legal claims, or easementary rights that could affect your ownership.
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Encumbrance Certificate (EC) for the Last 30 Years Issued by the Sub-Registrar's Office, the EC confirms whether the property is free from mortgages, loans, or legal claims. This is non-negotiable. A clean EC for 30 years is a strong sign the title is clear.
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Property Tax Receipts Verify that the name on the tax receipts matches the seller's name on the Sale Deed. Outstanding property tax dues transfer to the new owner — check for arrears.
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Electricity Bill Receipts Confirms the seller's possession of the property and the name registered with the electricity board. Also helpful in detecting discrepancies in the property address or owner name.
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Power of Attorney Documents (if applicable) If the sale is being executed by someone on behalf of the owner, verify the Power of Attorney is valid, registered, and gives the authorised person the power to sell.
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Legal Opinion An independent legal opinion from a qualified advocate on whether the title is clear and the property is safe to purchase. This is particularly important for properties with complex ownership histories.
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Layout Approval & Land Usage Type (for Vacant Land) If purchasing a vacant plot, verify the layout was approved by the relevant authority and check whether the land is classified as agricultural, dry land, or approved for residential/commercial use. Building on agricultural land without conversion is illegal.
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Completion Certificate Confirms the building was completed as per the approved plan with no unauthorised deviations. May not be available for older properties, but should be insisted upon for newer constructions.
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Possession Certificate (if applicable) Confirms physical possession of the property and is particularly relevant in apartment purchases from builders.
This checklist is a starting point, not a substitute for professional legal and technical verification. At PropertyChennai.com, our Title & Document Verification service covers all of the above — digitally, for a flat fee of ₹1,500, with the report delivered within 2 working days.
