Things to Check Before Buying a Plot in Kerala

Everyone dreams of owning a home of their own one day. While some would rather just invest in a generic ready-made home, others would prefer to go the long way and buy a plot to build their own home to suit their lifestyle. Having said that, you do need to practice caution when buying a plot of land in Kerala. Whether the plot is for investment purposes or for building a home, there are several documents to be checked so you don’t fall prey to any legal hassles later on. 

The first thing to find out is whether the property is ‘freehold’ land as per government records. Ideally, the seller should be able to provide all these documents to the buyer. Here is a look at some documents you need to look out for:

Title Deed 

Prior to entering into any deal with the seller, ask for the Title Deed and confirm that there is clear ownership in the seller’s name and that he has the right to sell it. In case it’s joint ownership, make sure you get the release certificates from the co-owners of the property. You also have the right to ask for previous ownership deeds.

Property details 

Before progressing further, get an authorized surveyor to get the plot measurements. Make sure they tally with the sketch of land at the local government survey office.

Tax receipts 

Ask to see the property tax payment receipts of the previous 2-3 years before entering into any deals. This way you can be sure you won’t be taking on any additional burdens. You can even check at the local village office to enquire further on this.

Encumbrance certificate 

Ensure that the plot hasn’t been pledged to any bank in lieu of a loan or so. Ask for the release certificate from the bank to ensure the seller has paid off any debts related to the property. 

Agreement of Sale 

After clearing all the above issues, it’s time to reach an agreement with the seller and make an advance payment towards the plot. A written agreement can be made on an Rs.50 stamp paper mentioning the cost of the plot, the advance given as well as the span of time within which the rest of the sum needs to be paid. It should also mention what needs to be done in case of default from either side. It’s safer to get a lawyer to write this agreement and signed in front of 2 witnesses. 

Sales Deed 

With this document, the seller confirms the conveyance of the plot to the buyer. It also affirms that the seller is the sole owner of the property and that no one else can claim ownership of it.

Registration 

This proof of transaction takes place in the local Sub-Registrar’s office at the municipal office in the presence of both the buyer and seller. With this, property ownership is transferred to the buyer. As per the provisions of the Indian Registration Act, 1908, registration must be done within 4 months of the agreement. At the time of registration, the original title deeds, tax receipts and 2 witnesses must be present. 

By following these steps, you can be assured that the plot you are buying becomes legally yours, without any future legalities associated with it. For those looking to buy plots in Trivandrum, Prime Property Builders are offering 63 premium villa plots ranging from 7.8 to 23.6 cents in Venkode. Located just 8km from Kowdiar junction, 16Km from Technopark, 18.4Km from the airport and 14.9Km from the railway station, the Emerald Hills project offers a premium investment opportunity. This gated community project comes with an underground electricity cable connection to each plot, with an RMU and transformer by the entrance gate. There is also piped well water as well as Panchayat water connectivity to each plot. And there is a clubhouse, a multi-game court, children’s park, avenue trees and manicured greens.

With so much on offer in this project, the best time to buy a plot is now!