Most property disputes in Bangalore start with a document that nobody checked before the sale. Use this checklist before you pay a booking advance, and have a property lawyer review the originals before you sign the sale deed.
Title and Ownership
- Sale deed of the current owner and the earlier deeds in the chain – ideally going back at least 30 years.
- Mother deed – the original document that shows how the property first came to the family or seller.
- Partition deeds, wills, gift deeds or succession certificates where the property was inherited.
- Identity of all owners – every co-owner and legal heir must sign the sale deed.
Encumbrances and Disputes
- Encumbrance certificate (EC) for at least 30 years, to reveal mortgages, earlier sales and other charges.
- Loan closure letters if the property was mortgaged.
- Court case search for pending suits or attachments.
- Acquisition check – confirm the land is not notified for acquisition by BDA, KIADB or other authorities.
Local-Body Records
- Khata certificate and extract in the seller’s name, and whether it is an A-khata or B-khata property.
- Property tax receipts, up to date.
- Electricity and water connection documents in the seller’s name.
Approvals
- Approved layout or building plan from BBMP, BDA or BMRDA, and whether the construction matches it.
- Land conversion order if the land was earlier agricultural.
- Occupancy certificate (OC) and completion certificate for buildings and apartments.
- RERA registration for under-construction projects, and the builder–landowner joint development agreement.
Red Flags
- The seller cannot produce originals, or insists on a power of attorney sale.
- The price is far below the guidance value or market rate.
- Revenue land being sold as “site” without a conversion order or approved layout.
- Gaps in the title chain or missing heirs’ signatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years of EC should I check?
At least 30 years is the common standard for a thorough title check in Bangalore.
Is a B-khata property safe to buy?
It carries more risk: B-khata usually indicates deviations or missing approvals, which can affect loans and future regularisation. Take a lawyer’s advice first.
Can I check documents online?
Some records, such as the EC and khata, can be obtained online, but a lawyer should still read the deeds and interpret the history.
About this guide: Prepared by the Best Property & Civil Lawyers in Bangalore editorial team from the relevant statutes, court judgments and official Karnataka sources, and reviewed in November 2026. Fees and procedures change – confirm current figures before acting. This is general information, not legal advice. Read our editorial policy.
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