Buying a resale flat can be a great opportunity for you to become a homeowner without having to pay the market rate. You can also move in immediately without having to wait months – or even years – to get possession. But as a resale flat has changed multiple hands, buying it comes with numerous technical implications and complex legal procedures. It can also be risky to buy a resale flat without doing your due diligence.
But what can you do to safeguard yourself in such situations? Here are the 13 important documents you must check before buying a resale flat to ensure you don’t get scammed:
Conducting a Title Search or Title Verification at the Registrar’s Office gives you access to the Title report detailing the history of the flat. It will also outline information like title holder’s name, joint encumbrances, liens, mortgages, tax rates, and property tax.
If the flat you are buying is mortgaged against a home loan, it is crucial to check the debt status. And to ensure that the previous owner has paid back all the pending dues to the bank, check the No Dues Certificate, No Objection Certificate, and other home loan clearance documents from the bank.
Buying a flat in an illegal construction can get you in trouble down the line. Make sure to verify that the local municipal authority has approved the building plan – outlining the property blueprint, equipment layout, and utilities – and the flat is built per the approved plan.
The municipal authorities issue the Completion Certificate on project completion while local government agencies issue Occupancy Certificate once the project is deemed to be suitable for occupancy. Collecting both these documents in the previous owner’s name is crucial to verify that the flat is constructed following relevant legal guidelines and is fit to occupy.
The Encumbrance Certificate will outline any legal issues or transactions related to the resale flat you want to buy. Checking it can help you ensure that the property title is clear and marketable, has no dues or has not been partially sold to someone else.
You may be held responsible for any unpaid utility bills for the resale flat you purchase. Checking utility bills – including electricity, gas, or water bills – lets you know if any bills are unpaid and verify that the bills are registered in the name of the owner.
Checking the latest tax receipts of a resale flat can help you ensure that the previous owner had paid taxes on time and there are no outstanding dues or fraudulent activity attached to the property.
Checking from competent authorities – including banks, society, electricity board, etc. – is crucial before paying anything for a resale flat because it is illegal for a reseller to sell their property without furnishing the relevant NOCs.
When buying a flat in a co-op housing society, a NOC or No Dues Certificate from the society is vital to indicate that the seller has been abiding by the society’s rules and has no dues, and the society has no objection to the transfer of ownership and Share Certificates to the buyer.
The title deed is the primary proof of property ownership. Be sure to check the original title deed – outlining the names of the original seller and buyer, details of loans against the property, and any other related information. This helps you verify that the flat has a marketable title and seller has clear ownership of the fact.
Sale Deed is one of the core legal documents that will be considered as the main proof of ownership if you decide to sell the property in the future. You need to register it in the
Registrar’s Office and is the most important document you must check once the Title Deed transfers the title of the resale flat to you.
Builder issues the Possession Certificate to the first owner after they take physical possession of the property. The builder will jot reissue this document at any time and you must obtain it from the seller after signing the Sale Deed.
When buying a flat in a co-op housing society, you will need to get the Share Certificate transferred to you. Once you receive the Sale Deed, you will need to collect the original Share Certificate from the seller and submit it to the society along with a mutually signed transfer form. Then the society will issue a new Share Certificate – containing names of all previous owners – that will entitle you as the new owner.
Each one of the documents is crucial when you want to buy a resale flat. Your bank will also need you to submit these documents if you are applying for a resale home loan. Missing any of these documents can land you in trouble in the future with concerned authorities. So be sure to check them with a fine-toothed comb and safeguard yourself when buying a resale flat.
Thinking about buying a resale luxury flat? The Squarea team can help you every step of the way. Get in touch with us today for a smooth buying experience. For more details on this subject, please email hello@squarea.io
Since 2003, DN Homes has been a key player in Odisha's luxury real estate sector. Collaborating with YOO Worldwide London, they are set to launch Odisha’s first branded residences, further elevating Bhubaneswar's modern skyline with the DN YOO Odisha project.
DN Homes, a prominent name in Odisha's real estate since 2003, has partnered with YOO Worldwide London to introduce the state’s first branded residences. Known for its luxury developments, DN Homes is poised to redefine Bhubaneswar’s skyline with DN YOO Odisha.
DN Homes has been a prominent name in Odisha's real estate industry since its inception in 2003. Specializing in luxury residential developments, the company has consistently delivered projects that meet global standards. With 15 completed projects, 6 ongoing projects, and 15 million sq.ft. of new projects in the pipeline, DN Homes is set to emerge as a key contributor to Odisha's fast-changing modern skyline.