Before you pay for a home.

18 checks, in plain language, with the reason each one matters. Tick as you go. Nothing is stored — the list resets when you close the page.

• Mother deed and the chain of past sale deedsShows how ownership moved to the current seller. Gaps in the chain are the most common source of disputes.
• Latest registered sale deed in the seller's nameThe seller must be the registered owner, not a general power-of-attorney holder alone.
• Encumbrance certificate for the last 13 to 30 yearsReveals registered mortgages, charges and transfers on the property.
• Mutation / khata / 7-12 extract or property cardConfirms municipal or revenue records match the deed.
• Identity and PAN of every seller, including co-ownersAll co-owners, including spouses and heirs, must sign. One missing signature can undo the sale.

• Approved building plan and commencement certificateUnapproved floors or deviations cannot be regularised easily and lenders refuse them.
• Occupancy certificate / completion certificateWithout an OC, water and electricity connections and resale can be blocked.
• RERA registration number of the project and the agentFor under-construction homes, check the number on your state RERA portal before paying.
• Land use and zoning matches residentialAgricultural or industrial land needs conversion before residential use.

• Property tax receipts up to dateUnpaid tax follows the property, not the previous owner.
• Electricity, water and maintenance dues clearedGet a no-dues letter from the society or authority in writing.
• Loan closure and original documents releasedIf the seller has a loan, confirm the bank will release the original title documents at registration.
• No pending litigation on the propertyAsk for a declaration and have a lawyer run a court and revenue search.

• Circle rate / ready-reckoner value checkedStamp duty is paid on the higher of the agreement value and the government rate.
• Stamp duty and registration charges budgetedThese are additional to the price and are usually not funded by the home loan.
• TDS deducted where the price is ₹50 lakh or moreUnder Section 194-IA the buyer deducts 1% TDS and files Form 26QB.
• All payments made by banking channel, not cashSection 269SS restricts cash in property transactions and cash leaves you with no proof.
• Registration done in person at the sub-registrar officeAn unregistered agreement does not transfer ownership.