Essential Land Documents You Must Check Before Buying a Plot in Tamil Nadu

Buying a plot is one of the most important financial decisions in a person’s life. Whether you are purchasing land for building a home or for long-term investment, verifying land documents is absolutely critical. In Tamil Nadu, many land-related issues arise not because of bad intentions, but due to lack of awareness.

This educational guide explains the key documents and checks every buyer should complete before purchasing land in Tamil Nadu, helping you make a safe, informed, and stress-free decision.

Why Document Verification Is Crucial in Real Estate

Land is a permanent asset — mistakes made at the time of purchase can be extremely difficult to correct later. Proper verification helps you:

• Avoid legal disputes
• Ensure clear ownership
• Prevent future registration or resale issues
• Protect your investment

Understanding documents before buying land is just as important as choosing the right location.

1. Encumbrance Certificate (EC)

The Encumbrance Certificate (EC) shows whether the land is free from legal or financial liabilities.

What to check in EC:

• Ownership history
• Sale, mortgage, or lease entries
• Court attachments or loans

Always verify the EC for at least the last 20–30 years. A clean EC ensures that the land has no outstanding claims.

2. Patta (Land Ownership Record)

Patta is a revenue document issued by the Tamil Nadu government that establishes who legally owns the land.

Why Patta matters:

• Confirms ownership
• Required for registration and future transactions
• Essential for applying utilities and approvals

Ensure the Patta:

• Is in the seller’s name
• Matches survey number and land extent
• Is not joint or disputed unless clearly explained

3. Chitta & FMB (Field Measurement Book)

These documents help verify exact land classification and boundaries.

• Chitta shows land type (nanjai/punjai)
• FMB provides survey-wise boundary measurements

These are especially important when buying plots converted from larger land parcels.

4. TNGIS Viewer – Digital Land Verification Tool

The TNGIS Viewer is a powerful online mapping platform provided by the Tamil Nadu government.

What TNGIS helps you check:

• Survey number location on map
• Land boundaries and shape
• Overlapping or mismatched survey details

While TNGIS does not replace legal documents, it acts as a strong cross-verification tool.

5. Layout Approval (DTCP / Local Body)

If you are buying a plotted layout, approval is mandatory.

Common approvals:

• DTCP (Directorate of Town and Country Planning)
• Local Panchayat or Municipality approval

Always confirm:

• Approval number and issuing authority
• Whether the plot is part of an approved layout
• If roads, parks, and open spaces are marked legally

6. Sale Deed & Title Chain

The Sale Deed proves transfer of ownership.

Before buying:

• Verify the original parent documents
• Check continuous ownership without breaks
• Match seller name across all documents

A clear title chain ensures the seller has full legal rights to sell the land.

7. Physical Site Verification

Documents alone are not enough. Always:

• Visit the site personally
• Match survey stones and boundaries
• Verify access roads
• Ensure the plot is not encroached

Physical inspection avoids surprises after purchase.

Common Mistakes Buyers Should Avoid

• Buying land without checking EC
• Relying only on verbal assurances
• Ignoring government online tools
• Skipping legal opinion
• Not matching site with documents

Real estate decisions should never be rushed.

Final Thoughts

Buying land in Tamil Nadu can be a rewarding investment when done correctly. Understanding and verifying documents like EC, Patta, FMB, and layout approvals protects you from legal issues and financial loss.

An educated buyer is a confident buyer. Taking the time to verify documents today can save years of trouble in the future.