How to Verify a Property’s Ownership and Title: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Lodha

Investing in property is a momentous occasion in more ways than one. Not only is buying property a huge milestone, but it is also a capital-intensive investment. When you are applying significant amounts of time and money to acquire a piece of property, it is crucial you make sure it belongs to you wholly. One of the ways in which you can guarantee that you are the whole and sole owner of a property is to undertake title verification. Verifying the title of a property you are about to purchase helps you ensure that the real estate transaction is legal and that you can go on to be its rightful owner. If you want to learn more about property ownership and title verification, continue reading.

What is Property Ownership and Title?

Before delving into the process of verification, it is important to understand property ownership’s meaning and why it is important. A property title is a way of establishing legal proof of ownership. It also helps delineate the owner’s rights and responsibilities with regard to the property. A property’s title usually includes information like the property’s dimensions, encumbrances, restrictions, and so on via official documents and certificates. If a property’s title is clear and free from legal disputes and liens, the transfer from seller to buyer takes place smoothly. If you want to purchase property, it is best to conduct due diligence and verify title to ensure you are not investing in land entrenched in legal disputes and a complicated ownership history. Here are a few reasons why title verification is important:

Establishes Ownership: Title verification confirms legal ownership of the property and clears its involvement in any disputes or legal complications.

Encumbrances: Verifying the title of a property helps you identify any encumbrances, i.e.: alternate ownership claims, on the property and assess any financial liabilities you might be taking on.

Litigation: Conducting title verification allows you to furnish proof of ownership in case of future legal disputes. A property with a clear title also helps you avoid long-winded legal proceedings.

Marketability: If you want to resell the property in the future, having a clear title helps attract the right kind of buyers.

Compliance: Verifying a property’s title helps you assure that it is in accordance with laws and regulations that render a real estate transaction legal and valid.

How to Verify Property Ownership?

To verify property ownership, you must follow the steps given below:

Relevant Documents: The first step in verifying the title is to gather all the required property ownership records. Along with the sale deed declaring you as the new owner, you should try to access previous sale deeds to show the transfer of ownership over time. You should also gather property tax receipts, possession certificates, survey sketches, and other documents that may help trace ownership.

Examine Title Deeds: Once you have located all the required documents, take time to scrutinise the chain of ownership. Make sure to cross-check the information on different documents to ensure that there are no gaps or discrepancies in the history of ownership.

Check Encumbrances: To secure a smooth-sailing ownership of property, it is best to check for encumbrances. Make sure to keep an eye out for mortgages, liens, or legal disputes. One of the best ways to guarantee that the property in question is free from encumbrances is to obtain an EC (Encumbrance Certificate) from the sub-registrar’s office. An EC will provide details regarding any transactions that have affected the property, giving you a look at the full picture.

Inspect Revenue Records: Next, you should inspect revenue records related to the property. The RoR (Record of Rights) or Patta, allows you to confirm the ownership of the property and track its land revenue payment history. Looking at such information helps you verify the legality of the title and ensure that it aligns with government records.

Head to the Sub-Registrar’s Office: The title verification process also involves a trip to the local sub-registrar’s office to verify the registration status of the property in question. You can also use this visit to verify if the details furnished on documents like the sale deed and EC are accurate.

Litigation and Approvals: Search for pending litigation related to the property by reviewing court records or hiring legal counsel. Additionally, you should also try to check whether the property has been granted the requisite approvals from local authorities.

Resolve Issues: In case you spot issues or discrepancies while verifying a property’s title, take steps to resolve them. You can work with the seller to solve such issues via legal means, such as obtaining the right documents, paying off clearances, or rectifying errors.

Following the steps listed above can help you invest in a property without worrying about its title going forward. If you want to look at properties with clear titles and in accordance with laws and regulations, look no further than Lodha. At Lodha, not only do we offer impeccable construction quality and real estate design, but we also adhere to legal compliances and offer properties with clear titles.

With Lodha, you can invest in a property built on a strong foundation of trust and build a beautiful life.