Documentation is a critical aspect of property investment. As you plan to buy a property in Chennai, you must ensure to verify and check several important legal documents to avoid potential issues in the future. The document checklist for property purchase includes:

- Title Deed: The title deed is the primary legal document that verifies the ownership of the property. It would confirm the right of the seller to sell the property. You have to make sure that the seller has a clear title and there are no disputes over property ownership.
- Sale Deed: A sale deed is a legal document that is executed between the buyer and the seller. It signifies the transfer of the property ownership from the seller to you. You need to check that the sale deed features accurate details, including the terms and conditions of the sale and the agreed-upon price. The sale deed has to be registered with the Sub-Registrar Office.
- Encumbrance Certificate (EC): The EC provides a robust record of all the transactions associated with the property, including loans and mortgages. Checking the EC beforehand is important to make sure that there is no mortgage or loan against the property and that the land is free of legal or any financial encumbrances. You can get the EC of a property from the local sub-registrar’s office. This document is mandatory for getting a bank loan.
- Land Title Report: This is a detailed report that provides information about the ownership history of the land, including any claims or disputes or claims over the property. You must make sure that the property you purchase has a clear land title and that there are no legal issues or claims against the property.
- Property Tax Receipts: These basically imply the official records from the local municipality that indicate that the property taxes have been paid by the seller. Verifying the property tax receipts would help make sure that the property is not at risk of being seized due to non-payment of taxes. It would allow you to confirm that the taxes have been paid up to date.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC): In case the plot you are investing in is a part of a gated community, the builder must issue an NOC (No Objection Certificate). This document would help verify that there are no obligations like pending maintenance dues that the buyer may inherit.
You must go through the document checklist for property purchase properly and follow it carefully when buying a plot in Chennai.