Buying land is a big investment for most people. Often people take hasty decisions in pursuit of good location and low price, and later come to know that there is a dispute on the land or its documents are incomplete. In this situation there can be loss of both money and time. Therefore, it is very important to verify all the required documents thoroughly before purchasing a land or plot. By taking precautions beforehand, legal problems can be avoided later. Let us consider some important things to keep in mind before buying land.
Be sure to check mother deed and old sale deeds.
First of all, make sure that the person selling the land is the real owner. To do this, go through the mother deed and old sale deeds carefully. In these documents, the name already present on the land, survey number and other information and how the ownership is changed, all this is told. Any difference in name, survey number or other information in these documents can create problems later.
Obtain Encumbrance Certificate (EC)
Before buying land, be sure to check the Encumbrance Certificate (EC). This document confirms that there are no loans, mortgages, cases or other legal encumbrances on the land. Try to get EC of at least last 10 to 30 years. This ensures that there are no dues or disputes over the land.
Check Mutation Records and Revenue Documents
After this, it is important to check the mutation records and government documents related to the land. These are known by different names in different states like Khasra-Khatauni, Record of Rights (RoR), Patta or Khata. These documents reveal the name of the land in government records and also whether land tax is being paid or not. If the mutation is still in the name of the previous owner, this may lead to a dispute later.
Also check land use
Each land has a specific use, such as agriculture, residential or commercial use. If the land was previously agricultural and you want to build a house on it, it is important to check whether it has been converted to Non-Agricultural (NA) or not. Building a house on such land without permission may be considered illegal.
In many states, land records can be viewed online. You can see the survey number, owner name and other information by visiting the government website. However, apart from online information, do check the original documents also. Most importantly, it is best to consult an experienced property lawyer before purchasing land. With the right due diligence and legal advice, you can buy land safely and avoid future hassles.