Buying land in Tamil Nadu is mostly about paperwork. A clear title protects you for decades; a missing document can mean years of disputes. Here are the documents every plot buyer in Chennai should understand and verify before paying an advance.
Patta
A Patta is a revenue record issued by the Tahsildar that names the legal owner of a specific piece of land. It links the owner to the survey number and extent of the land. For any independent plot or land parcel, a Patta in the seller's name is a basic must-have. Note that Patta applies to land — apartments and flats do not have individual Pattas.
Chitta & Adangal
The Chitta records land ownership and the type of land (such as wetland — nanjai, or dryland — punjai). In Tamil Nadu, Patta and Chitta are now largely issued together as a combined record. The Adangal (or A-Register) is a village-level account of the land, its classification and cultivation details. Together these confirm what the land legally is.
Encumbrance Certificate (EC)
The EC is one of the most important checks. Issued by the Sub-Registrar's office, it lists all registered transactions — sales, mortgages, gifts — on a property over a chosen period. Always ask for an EC covering at least the last 13 years (30 years is safer) to confirm the seller's ownership chain and that the land is free of loans or claims.
Other documents to ask for
- Parent / mother deed and the current sale deed — the chain of ownership.
- Approved layout with DTCP or CMDA approval (for plotted developments).
- Property tax receipts and up-to-date utility bills.
- Survey sketch (FMB) matching the actual boundaries on the ground.
How to verify
Tamil Nadu has digitised most of these records. Patta-Chitta can be viewed on the state's land records portal, and the EC and guideline value can be checked on the registration department's portal (TNREGINET). Cross-check the survey number, extent and owner name across every document. When the stakes are high, have a property lawyer read the title before you commit.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Always confirm documents through official Tamil Nadu government portals and a qualified advocate before purchase.