Planning to buy a 3 BHK apartment in Lucknow? Buying a property is indeed the best decision. However, verifying the property before you sign the sale deed is extremely important.
Legal verification clears out all the doubts and ensures that the property you’re buying is free from legal concerns. It also confirms the seller’s ownership, saving you from any possible financial loss. Now, comes the foremost question, “how to verify the property?”
Well, the question doesn’t end here. Some of the other questions that may arise are, “Is property document verification available online,” or “Can property verification be done without a legal counsellor or lawyer?” If you are having these questions popping out in your mind right away, the answer is yes.
In this blog, we will shed light on property verification process. We will also discuss about the documents required, and steps that go into the property verification. So, let’s explore more.
What is property verification in India?
Property verification refers to the process of validating a plot, villa, 2 BHK and 3 BHK apartment in Lucknow for sale or anywhere for legality before signing the sale deed. The process involves verifying legal documents, registries, or records. Sometimes, it involves visiting the property in person to get an exact idea about its legal possibilities.
How to do property verification
There are many ways by which you can verify a property for its legality. You can verify the property online on your own, or you can seek help from property verification services. Even a legal counsellor or broker helps verify the documents.
What documents are required for property verification?
Here is a list of documents required for property verification in India. These include:
- Mother Deed (Title Deed/Sale Deed)
- Mutation Certificate
- Property Tax Receipts
- Encumbrance Certificate
- Conversion Certificate (NA Order)
- Building Approval Plan
- Approval from Local Authority (Commencement Certificate)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC)
- Occupancy Certificate (Completion Certificate)
- Power of Attorney (applicable, especially if landlord is NRI)
- Joint Development Agreement
Once you verify these documents, the road to owning a property becomes smoother.
Documents required for verification before buying a plot
You need to verify the following documents before buying a plot. These include:
Mother Deed
Title Deed
Encumbrance certificate
NA Order (ensure it is “NA-Residential”)
Property Tax certificate
Approvals from local authorities
Power of Attorney (especially if the landowner is NRI)
Documents required for verification before purchasing a house
Documents required for verifying a house before purchase include:
- Sale deed
- Mother deed/Title deed
- Building approval plans
- Encumbrance certificate
- Sale and Purchase agreement
- No Objection certificate
- Completion certificate (or occupancy certificate)
Steps involved in property document verification process
Whether you deal with a real estate company, property owner, or agent directly, ensure to follow these steps to verify the documents. This will help you avoid fraudulent activities from a scammer. Here’s what you need to do.
Collect all the required property documents
The first and foremost step is to collect all the documents from the seller. Contact the relevant state and municipal authorities to confirm which documents you should check before buying a property in India.
Do a preliminary document verification on your own
Before you seek help from a professional document verification service provider, check each document personally. Find out whether the details provided in each document match the information provided by the seller. A preliminary check will save you time, and for any inconsistency, you have the right to walk away.
Verify the docs with local authorities
Visit your nearby registrar’s office or go to the local land record office for property verification. Verify the legal status, ownership, tax updates and other relevant details.
Do an in-person survey
Visit the property personally to get an exact idea of its size. Match it up with the details provided in the documents.
Assess the EC (encumbrance certificate)
Verify the encumbrance certificate to find out whether there are any unpaid dues or legal claims concerning the property. If possible, visit the registrar’s office.
Seek a lawyer’s help
It’s always wise to seek legal help for the document verification process. Hire a lawyer and get all the insights about a property’s legality and authenticity of its documents.
Issue a public notice
Before signing the sale deed, issue a public notice in a local newspaper regarding your intention to own it. If there is a dispute, people will come out; if not go ahead and set up a date for its registry.
Sign the sale deed and get the property registered on your name
Once everything goes smooth and each document appears to be authentic, it’s time to sign the sale deed. Set a date and get the property transferred on your name. Now, you can own the property legally.
Property document verification benefits
Now, someone may ask why property verification is important or what its benefits are. Well, here are the top benefits of property verification.
Avoids risks and scams
The foremost benefit of verifying a property before buying is risk reduction. It means you won’t fall prey to scammers or get involved into legal traps.
Ownership validation
It validates that the seller holds the ownership of the property.
Transparent transaction
Since the property is legally verified and transaction is transparent, it nullifies future conflicts.
Secures your financial well-being
Property document verification ensures that your hard-earned money is invested in a legal property free of disputes. This secures your financial well-being.
Conclusion
Initiating property verification process before signing the sale deed is an essential step. This helps safeguard your investment while ensuring the property you’re buying is legitimate. With online property document verification process, you can do it yourself or seek a lawyer’s opinion to verify each document.
So, create the safety net in the world of real estate to safeguard your investment.
