How to Verify Real Estate Documents (Step-by-Step Guide)

Buying a property is a big money move for anybody. So, one must put every foot carefully. You can be in trouble if you don't check the real estate documents properly before purchasing. Fraudulent claims, legal disputes, and hidden debts: any of these issues can shatter your dream. To make things easier for the clients, Property64 unfolds a step-by-step guide on how to verify real estate documents.

How to Verify Real Estate Documents (Step-by-Step Guide)

Let's take a look at the summary of the steps before moving to the details. Step 1: Collecting All Basic Information about the Property. Step 2: Checking out the Title Deed. Step 3: Finding the Chain of Ownership. Step 4: Go through Mutation Khatian. Step 5: Grab NOC and NEC Certificates. Step 6: Clearance of Land Tax Payments. Step 7: Review Building Approvals (If necessary). Step 8: Take a look at the Property Physically. Step 9: Verification of Current Land Usage. Step 10: Consultation with Professionals (If necessary).

What is the Process of Document Verification?

Now, let's take a deeper dive into every step.

All Basic Information about the Property

Collect the following details about the property using authentic paper and information. Match those with the info that the seller has provided you.

• Holding number (for buildings)
• Plot number
• Khatian number (from land records)
• Current possession details (who occupies the property)

Title Deed

It's actually the proof of how the running owner acquired the property. Basically, the ownership comes through 2 sources.

• Purchase: The current owner has bought it. A sale deed would verify.
• Inheritance: The current owner has inherited it through family and predecessors. Ensured with a distribution deed (bontonama).

Chain of Ownership

It's the record of the property’s ownership history. It will clarify and provide data about all authentic property holders. Reviewing the past deeds will help you be clear.

• The current owner bought it from whom?
• That person bought the property from whom?
• The process continues.

You must acquire a complete and unbroken chain of ownership. Don't let any gap remain to avoid unnecessary problems later.

Mutation Khatian

It's indeed the updated land record. One can see the current owner’s name. Check the following documents:

• DCR Copy (Duplicate Carbon Receipt)
• Namjari Proposal (mutation application)
• Namjari Khatian (mutation record)

You can obtain all these records by attending the following offices:

• Tahsil Office,
• Land Office,
• DC Office, or
• AC Land Office.

The Khatian name has to match the title deed. If the names match, that will be proof of the legal ownership.

Obtain NOC and NEC Certificates

One must secure these 2 papers.

• NOC (No Objection Certificate): It's the certificate that ensures no objection to the sale. Necessary for every government-leased property.
• NEC (Non-Encumbrance Certificate): Guarantees that the property is not under any sort of mortgage, loan, or legal claim issues.

Institutions like local authorities or land offices can help you grab these papers. The documents will keep you and your property free from any hidden debts or anti-claims allegations.

Land Tax Payments

Must ensure that all the taxes till the current Bangla calendar year have been cleared. If there is anything still to be cleared, make those things done prior to registration. Otherwise, the government can take strict actions against you. They hold the right to even seize your property. Request to the seller for the tax receipts as the document of tax clearance.

Building Approvals

If your purchased property includes infrastructure, then clear this point.

• The approved building plan
• If the construction matches the plan or not
• The total approved square foot
• The no. of approved floors.

Make sure the construction is completely legal, and it won't lead the government to take any action against you in the future.

Physical Visit

You must attend the site to check things. Must check out the following facts:

• Authentic owner of the property
• Lease agreements or advance payments
• Associated tenants and businesses
• Any additional structures not mentioned in the documents.

Current Land Use Verification

Check the following things to see whether those match with documented purposes or not.

• Unauthorized buildings
• Boundary disputes
• Access issues
• Encroachment onto neighboring land.

Make sure there is no mismatch at all. Otherwise, legal complications may strike in the future.

Professionals Consultancy

If there is any sort of complication or uncertainty, you can take advice from a professional. They can help you:

• Interpret documents
• Resolve disputes
• Conduct in-depth verification.

So, these are the 10 major steps to verify properties in Bangladesh. The buyer must be attentive on every mentioned aspect to avoid any unnecessary complications later.