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Land transactions can be a labyrinth of confusing terms, especially when checking records online. In this simplified guide, Genuine Plots unravels key terms, empowering you to make informed decisions and ensuring smooth navigation through the world of land transactions. Let's embark on this journey together, where understanding land records becomes as easy as a walk in the park.
Jamabandi
Nakal
Khata
Khasra or DAG Number
Khewat
Mauza
Bainama
Khatauni
Patta
Khudkasht
Embarking on a land transaction journey can be daunting, but armed with these simplified explanations, you'll be better equipped to decode the complexities of land records.
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Vahivat (or Vahiwat) means possession, use, or management of land. It refers to someone who controls and uses a piece of land, even if they are not the legal owner.
Vahivat Ownership
Actual use/possession, Legal title in records
May manage or cultivate land. Has full legal rights to transfer, sell, or mortgage
Not always permanent or official. Officially recognised and documented
A person can have vahivat of land without being its registered owner.
A vahivatdar is the person who physically controls the land, manages, or cultivates it
They are users or managers of the land, not necessarily owners.
Yes.In cases where ownership is unclear or disputed, revenue officials sometimes record the possessor’s name under:
This acknowledges de facto (actual) possession, even if ownership is not settled.
No, vahivat alone does not give ownership.
However, long-term, continuous possession may be used in court for claims like adverse possession.
Yes. Vahivat becomes important in cases related to:
Courts often examine who had actual possession for how long.
A vahivat road is a path or road used by people for many years—
even if it passes through private land.
Long-term public use can make it recognised as a public right-of-way.
Generally, no, unless they also have legal ownership.
A Vahivatdar may:
But cannot legally sell, mortgage, or transfer without proper title.
It matters for:
Many villages still use the terms in everyday land-related discussions.
Because authorities are modernising land records.
Old vahivat-based maps often lack legal clarity.
This is why departments (like in Pune district) are cancelling old vahivat surveys and demanding proper re-measurement.
Before investing in land, identify the type of land you're buying.
Types of Land include in Karnataka are residential plots and agricultural plots.
Converted land refers to agricultural land that has been legally converted for residential/commercial use.
Revenue sites: usually hazardous, without approvals.
Check that land use fits your purpose.
Ask for a DC Conversion certificate for non-agricultural use.
Avoid unconverted or illegally converted land.
Essential Ownership Checks
Obtain the Mother Deed/Title Deed.
Verify chain of ownership for 20–30 years.
Confirm whether the property is jointly owned.
Obtain signatures from all owners/co-owners on the sale agreement.
The original title deed cannot be produced by the seller.
Disputes between family members.
Abrupt ownership changes just before the sale.
3. Check Legal Clearances & Documents
Encumbrance certificate
Khata Certificate / Khata Extract
Tax Receipts
Sale Agreement draft
Verify Layout Approvals
Ensure layout is approved by:
BDA: Bangalore Development Authority
BBMP / Municipal Corporation
Gram Panchayat with proper document
Unapproved layouts, plots without official survey numbers and plots based only on notarised documents.
The outstanding bank loans on the land.
Cases filed in the courts or pending disputes.
Legal claims by relatives or tenants.
How to Check
Obtain the EC from the Sub-Registrar Office.
Check online on the Karnataka land records portal.
Match plot boundaries with survey sketch.
Ensure road width as promised.
Look for drainage, sewage and electric poles.
Locality Factors
Close to schools, markets, and hospitals.
Water availability: Groundwater levels vary in Karnataka.
Distance from highways and growth zones.
Avoid Plots Near
Lakes or lake buffer zone (highly protected).
Forest areas or government lands.
High-tension electrical lines.
Compare with the prices of surrounding properties.
Check the government guidance value or stamp duty value.
Understand the future development plans for the area.
Very low-cost plots - often illegal.
Pressure sales (“book today or price will increase”).
Get the sale deed registered at the Sub-Registrar's office.
Pay the stamp duty and registration fees correctly.
Apply for a Khata transfer to your name.
Start paying property tax after registration.
Keep Copies Of
Registered sale deed
EC after registration
Payment
All previous owner documents
Purchasing plots based on brochures without verifying the approvals.
Not checking on EC and Khata.
Buying revenue sites based on the expectation that they will "get approval later."
Paying a token/advance prior to document verification. Not physically visiting the plot multiple times.
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are increasingly looking at non-agricultural (NA) plots in India as a stable and high-growth investment. These lands are legally approved for residential or commercial use, making them far more accessible to NRIs than agricultural properties.
But what exactly can an NRI buy? What rules apply? And how can you safely complete the purchase from abroad?
Here’s a simple guide.
1. NRIs Can Buy NA (Non-Agricultural) Land Without Special Permission
NRIs are allowed to buy non-agricultural land in India.
No special approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is required.
This includes:
NA land is fully legal for NRI purchase and is treated the same as buying residential/commercial property.
2. Payment Rules for NRIs Buying NA Plots
NRIs must follow banking rules under FEMA. Payments can be made only through:
This creates transparency and helps with future repatriation of funds.
3. Properties NRIs Cannot Buy
NRIs are restricted from buying:
These can only be owned if the NRI inherits them or receives them as a gift.
So, for new purchases, only NA land is allowed.
4. Power of Attorney (POA) Helps If You’re Abroad
If the NRI is not in India during the transaction, they can give a Power of Attorney to a trusted relative, friend or a professional representative.
The POA holder can legally carry out tasks like signing agreements, completing paperwork, and handling registration formalities.
5. Legal Due Diligence: The Most Important Step
Before buying any NA plot, NRIs must confirm that the land is officially converted from agricultural to non-agricultural by the authorities.
✔ Title and Ownership
Check title deeds to ensure the seller has the legal right to sell.
✔ Encumbrance Certificate (EC) for 30 Years
This confirms the land is free from legal disputes or loans.
✔ Approvals & NOCs
Look for:
6. Repatriation Rules: What Happens When You Sell?
When an NRI sells an NA plot:
Repatriation is limited to USD 1 million per financial year, including all assets and income.
7. How Non-Resident Indians Purchase a NA Plot in India
Step 1: Verify that the land is NA
Step 2: Designate a POA (useful but optional)
A general power of attorney facilitates the process.
Step 3: Conduct exhaustive due diligence
To verify documents, approvals, and land history, speak with a legal professional.
Step 4: Put a Sale Contract into Action
This needs to be signed and stamped by the POA holder or both parties.
Step 5: Transfer money through approved channels.
Use NRE/NRO/FCNR accounts or inward remittances.
Step 6: Register the sale deed
To complete ownership, pay stamp duty and registration charges.
Conclusion
Buying NA plots is one of the simplest and safest real estate investments that NRIs can make in India. With no need for special RBI approval and clear guidelines under FEMA, NA land offers strong potential for appreciation, development, and future returns.
As long as you verify the land status, ensure clean paperwork, and follow proper banking channels, purchasing an NA plot becomes a smooth and secure process for any NRI.
1. Foreign Exchange Rules
2. Tax Implications
3. Picking the Right Type of Property
4. Using Power of Attorney (POA)
5. Home Loan Options
Why It’s a Good Time to Invest
1. Meaning of Benami Property
2. Why Benami Transactions Are Prohibited
These Benami properties are used to:
3. Types of Benami Transactions
A transaction may be benami if:
4. What is not Benami
Certain genuine situations are exempt, such as:
5. Important Provisions of the Benami Property Act
All benami transactions are strictly prohibited.
Authorities are empowered to:
6. Penalties for Benami Transactions
Penalties under the law are stringent:
7. Consequences for Individuals
If involved in a benami deal:
8. Why Understanding Benami Laws Matters
Conclusion
Laws on benami property in India are designed to ensure transparency and prevent real estate from being misused for illicit financial dealings. Any property bought in someone else's name, when not clearly, legally, and documentedly justified, can be classified as benami. The penalties are strict, and the government has strong powers to investigate and confiscate such assets. It is very important for every buyer, investor, and especially NRIs who wish to invest in Indian property to understand these rules.