Documents to Check Before Buying a Plot in Tamil Nadu
Introduction: Don’t Buy a Plot Without Checking These!
Buying land is a proud milestone — but it’s also one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
Before signing that sale deed or paying an advance, you must ensure the land you’re buying is legally clear and government-approved.
At Prakash Constructions, we often help clients who nearly purchased land with hidden legal issues — missing documents, unapproved layouts, or encumbrances.
Here’s a complete checklist of all important documents to verify before buying a residential plot.
🧾 1. Sale Deed (Title Deed)
The Sale Deed — also known as the Title Deed — is the most crucial document in any property transaction.
It proves who owns the land and transfers ownership from the seller to you.
Check for:
The seller’s full name, address, and property details.
No signs of correction or overwriting.
Registration number and date from the Sub-Registrar Office.
🟢 Tip: Ask for a copy of the parent document to verify the ownership history for at least 30 years.
📘 2. Patta and Chitta
These are government records maintained by the Taluk office that confirm the nature and ownership of land.
Patta: States the legal owner’s name and survey number.
Chitta: Describes the type of land (e.g., residential, agricultural).
✅ Always make sure the land is categorized as “Natham” (residential) — not agricultural — otherwise, you’ll face problems getting a building plan approval later.
🧩 3. Encumbrance Certificate (EC)
An Encumbrance Certificate is proof that the land is free from any legal or financial liability — such as loans, mortgages, or court disputes.
How to get it:
You can obtain the EC from the Sub-Registrar Office (SRO) or download it online from the Tamil Nadu Registration Department website.
What to check:
Your seller’s name should appear correctly.
No record of pending loans or court attachments.
🟢 Validity: Always get an EC for at least the past 15–30 years.
🗺️ 4. Field Measurement Book (FMB) and Survey Sketch
These official survey maps help verify plot boundaries and dimensions.
The FMB sketch shows the survey number, boundary lines, and adjacent properties.
You can request this from the Taluk or Village office.
✅ Cross-check the plot measurements in the FMB sketch with the sale deed and on-site measurements.
If there’s any mismatch — clarify before registration.
🧱 5. Layout Approval (DTCP / CMDA / Panchayat)
This is where most buyers make mistakes.
A plot should always be in an approved layout.
Types of Approvals:
CMDA – For Chennai Metropolitan Region
DTCP – For other towns and semi-urban areas
Local Panchayat Approval – For village layouts (ensure they have DTCP permission)
🟢 Why it matters:
Only approved plots can get electricity, water, and building permits. Unapproved layouts risk fines or even demolition.
🧾 6. Parent Document (Mother Deed)
This shows the ownership history of the land — how it passed from one person to another over the years.
A clean, traceable chain ensures there are no hidden disputes.
✅ Ensure there are no missing ownership links or unclear transfers.
📜 7. No Objection Certificate (NOC)
Depending on the location, the seller must produce relevant NOCs:
From the Electricity Department
From the Water and Drainage Board
From the Environment or Local Authority (for certain zones)
This confirms the land has no government restrictions or encroachments.
⚖️ 8. Property Tax and EB Bills
A small but important check:
Verify that property taxes are paid up to date.
Ask for the Electricity Board (EB) service number to confirm genuine ownership.
This helps you identify whether the seller is the current owner and if there are any pending dues.
🧭 9. Zoning and Land Use Certificate
Every plot falls under a specific land use zone — Residential, Agricultural, Industrial, or Institutional.
Always get a Land Use Certificate from the local planning authority.
🚫 If the land is agricultural, it must be converted to residential (Natham) before you can construct legally.
🧰 10. Verify with the Local Authority
Finally, visit the Municipality or Town Planning Office and confirm:
The plot’s survey number
Its inclusion in an approved layout
Road access and drainage alignment
How Prakash Constructions Helps
We assist our clients with:
Document verification before purchase
Legal consultation through trusted partners
Soil testing and boundary validation
DTCP/CMDA layout confirmation
You can even share your plot documents with us for a free preliminary verification before you buy.
Final Checklist Before Buying Land
✅ Title Deed (Sale Deed)
✅ Patta & Chitta
✅ Encumbrance Certificate (EC)
✅ FMB Sketch
✅ Layout Approval (DTCP/CMDA)
✅ Parent Document
✅ NOC (if applicable)
✅ Tax & EB Clearance
Conclusion: Buy Smart, Build Confidently
Buying land is exciting — but skipping legal verification can turn your dream home into a legal nightmare.
At Prakash Constructions, we make sure your foundation is not just strong — but also legally safe.