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Property Buying Tips: Be careful before buying property! If you do not check these 13 documents of land or flat, your money may get stuck.
Samira Vishwas | September 8, 2026 10:24 AM CST

Property Buying Tips: Buying land or a flat is one of the biggest financial decisions in life. Many people, while buying a property, pay full attention to the price, location and surrounding facilities, but ignore the scrutiny of the documents to it. This small carelessness can become the cause of big problems in future.

If there is a discrepancy in the property documents, problems like disputes over ownership, old debts, tax dues or legal claims may arise. Therefore, before giving advance or full amount for any land or flat, it is important to check its documents thoroughly.

1. Must see the sale deed or ownership deed

First of all, check whether the person from whom you are buying the property has valid ownership rights in his name. Proceed only after seeing the original sale deed or ownership document.

2. Search Old Title Records

The record of who was the current owner of the property before that is also important. By looking at old title documents, it is possible to trace how ownership of a property passed from one person to another.

3. Check land revenue records

If you are buying land, especially in a rural area, be sure to check the relevant revenue records. This can provide important information to land ownership and its records.

4. Check Mutation Records

Records to mutation i.e. admission-rejection should also be seen. This helps in ascertaining whether the change in ownership of the property is recorded in the relevant government documents or not.

5. Check the title certificate

Title certificate is an important document to ownership of property. It is important to look at this to ensure that the seller has the valid authority to sell the property.

6. View old transactions and payment receipts

Also check records of past payments, purchases, sales and other important transactions to the property. This can help in locating any old financial disputes or dues.

7. Check building plan and construction approval

If you are buying a flat or house, then definitely check whether the construction has been done as per the plans and rules approved by the concerned authority or not. Construction without approval or contrary to rules can create problems in the future.

8. View completion and occupancy certificate

While purchasing a ready flat or building, definitely check the status of Completion Certificate and Occupancy Certificate. These documents provide important information to the construction and use of the building.

9. Is there any property tax outstanding?

Be sure to check the latest property tax receipt. Ensure that there is no prior tax outstanding on the property. It is better to clarify the outstanding details before purchase.

10. Check electricity and water bill

Also check the old electricity and water bills of the flat or house. If there is a payment pending for a long time, make it clear before closing the deal as to who will pay the outstanding amount.

Do not give money immediately just after seeing the paper (Property Buying Tips)

Scrutiny of property documents is not a mere formality. Due to the high cost of land or flat, even a small mistake can result in financial loss. Therefore, it is important to check the original documents and match their validity and records.

If there is any discrepancy in the documents or there is doubt regarding the ownership, avoid paying the advance or the entire amount without verification. In case of large property deals, it may also be wise to get legal due diligence done by a local lawyer or an expert in property documents, if necessary.


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