Documents to check before buying a builder floor
Before buying a builder floor, check 10 documents: the sale deed chain, proof of ownership, the sanctioned plan, the completion or occupancy certificate, the parking allotment, property tax receipts, utility bills, any loan clearance, the builder agreement and any power of attorney. Raghav Chopra checks the first five on every Ultra listing.
· By Raghav Chopra, founder, in South Delhi real estate since 2010
Which documents matter most?
The sale deed chain, proof of ownership, sanctioned plan, completion certificate and parking allotment matter most, because they decide whether the floor is legally yours and legally built.
Ultra checks these five on every property and shows each as Done or Pending on the listing.
What if a document is missing?
If a document is missing, treat the property as unconfirmed until it is produced.
Raghav marks the check as Pending and does not mark it Done until he has seen the document.
Who should read the documents?
Your lawyer should read the documents, and Raghav checks them alongside.
Two sets of eyes is worth having on a purchase of this size.
The 10 documents and what each proves
| Document | What it proves | Ultra checks it? |
|---|---|---|
| Sale deed chain | Ownership passed cleanly from owner to owner | Yes (title chain) |
| Proof of ownership | The seller is the person the records name | Yes (ownership) |
| Sanctioned building plan | The building was built to an approved plan | Yes |
| Completion or occupancy certificate | The authorities accepted the finished building | Yes |
| Parking allotment | The parking you pay for belongs to this floor | Yes |
| Property tax receipts | Property tax is paid up to date | Ask Raghav |
| Electricity and water bills | No dues are pending on the utilities | Ask Raghav |
| Loan clearance letter | Any earlier loan on the property is closed | Ask Raghav |
| Builder agreement | What the builder promised for this floor | Ask Raghav |
| Power of attorney, if any | Who is authorised to sign for the owner | Ask Raghav |
Source: standard conveyancing practice; Ultra's own five checks are marked Yes. Your lawyer should confirm the list for your purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Which documents are most important when buying a builder floor?
The sale deed chain, proof of ownership, sanctioned plan, completion or occupancy certificate and parking allotment matter most. Together they show that the floor is legally yours, legally built and legally accepted for use, and that the parking you are paying for is really allotted.
Do I need a lawyer to check the documents?
You should have one. Raghav checks the five core documents on every property he shows, but a lawyer reads the full set on your behalf and advises on your particular situation. The two checks complement each other on a purchase of this size.
What does a completion certificate show?
It shows that the authorities accepted the finished building for use. Without it, a building may have been built outside the sanctioned plan, which can affect your ability to register, finance or resell. This is one of the five checks Ultra runs.
Can I buy if a document is still pending?
That is a decision for you and your lawyer, and Raghav will tell you plainly what is pending and why. A listing shows each check as Done or Pending, so you know exactly what is confirmed before you decide to proceed.
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