Documents to check before buying a resale property

With a resale property you're buying from an existing owner, so you need to be sure their ownership is clear and there are no pending dues or disputes. Here are the key documents to ask for.

Ownership documents

• Sale deed: the registered deed in the current owner's name.
• Mother deeds / previous deeds: the chain of earlier sale deeds showing how ownership passed over the years.
• Encumbrance Certificate (EC): covering a long period, to check for mortgages or other claims.

Local body records

• Khata certificate and khata extract: to confirm the property is assessed in the seller's name.
• Latest property tax receipts: to make sure taxes are paid up to date.

Approvals (for flats and houses)

• Approved building plan: to check the building was constructed as sanctioned.
• Occupancy Certificate (OC) and Completion Certificate (CC): especially important for apartments.

If the seller has a loan

If the property is mortgaged, the seller's bank holds the original documents. The loan must be closed and the originals released (with a loan closure letter) as part of the sale. Banks often handle this through a takeover process when you also take a loan.

For apartments

• NOC from the apartment association and a no-dues letter for maintenance.
• Utility bills (electricity, water) cleared up to date.

Other checks

• A general power of attorney (GPA) sale needs extra caution; take legal advice.
• Check the identity of all owners, and get consent from every co-owner or legal heir.
• Get a legal opinion from a property lawyer before the agreement.

This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and lender policies change, so please verify for your specific case.