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Gated Community Plots: The Smart Choice Over Standalone LandPlot Buying in Maharashtra The 3 Documents You Must Check Before You Invest
Buying a plot in Maharashtra can be one of the most rewarding investments—but only if it’s done right. Too many buyers get stuck in disputes because of overlooked paperwork. To avoid costly mistakes, you need to know three critical documents: the 7/12 Extract, the NA Order, and the Title Report.
1. 7/12 Extract or Property Card – Knowing the Land’s Identity
For rural and semi-rural plots: The 7/12 Extract (popularly called Saat-Baara Utara) is your first check. It tells you who owns the land, its survey number, the area, the type of land, and any loans or claims on it. But note—this doesn’t confirm whether you can build on it, only that the person selling is the rightful owner.
For urban plots: Within city limits, the Property Card works the same way. It shows details like the CTS number, land area, and owner’s name.
Tip: Always match these details with the seller’s information.
2. NA Order – Making Sure the Land is Fit to Build On
Not every piece of land is legally fit for construction. Agricultural land, for example, cannot be directly used for building homes.
That’s where the NA Order (Non-Agricultural Order) comes in. Issued by the Collector’s office, this document confirms the land has been officially converted for residential use. If the NA Order is missing—or marked for “industrial” or “commercial”—you cannot build a home on it.
Tip: Insist on seeing a Residential NA Order before moving ahead.
3. Title Search & Supporting Documents – Securing Clear Ownership
Even with 7/12 and NA Order in hand, you need to check if the ownership is legally clean. This is where a Title Search Report from a lawyer is essential. It traces ownership for the past 30+ years and ensures:
- No disputes over the land
- No hidden mortgages or loans
- The seller is the true and only owner
Other supporting documents to check include:
- Encumbrance Certificate (EC): Confirms no outstanding loans or legal cases
- Registered Sale Deed: The actual proof of ownership transfer
- Tax Receipts & Layout Plan Approvals: Show compliance with local authorities
Final Word
Buying a plot is a long-term investment rather than just a sale. You can make sure that your ideal house or future asset is constructed on sound legal foundations by closely examining the 7/12 Extract, NA Order, and Title.
When in doubt, always seek legal advice from Genuine Plots and verify documents with government records. A little extra caution today can save you from years of hassle tomorrow.
Before you buy a piece of land in Maharashtra, it is pretty important that you ensure its title is clear. This process keeps away the legal issues. Here's how you can investigate a land title in simple steps.
Title Search
Go to the land registry in that area to obtain information about its history. Find the records that state the previous owners and loans or claims on the property by showing the 7/12 extract.
Abstract of Title
An abstract of the title would give you a summary of the legal history, reflecting the change in ownership and the issues relating to the property.
Property Deeds
Check the property deeds to ensure who owns the land today. Also, these records will outline any restrictions, such as who may use the land.
Measure the Land
Hire a surveyor to survey the land. This will help one to know what actually is the boundary of that land and where the neighbors are using parts of the land.
Search Court Records
Look up court records to see if the property is involved in any lawsuits. For example, there could be a question over who owns the land.


Tax Records
Verify property taxes and that there are not other issues, like unpaid taxes or tax liens that have not been discharged.
Local Laws
Look into local zoning laws that may be able to keep you from doing certain things on the land. Some areas will not allow building or any kind of development.
Talk to Neighbors
Talk to people living nearby to know the history of the land. They might be aware of problems like boundary disputes.
Hire Legal Help
Always take the services of an attorney or a land expert like Genuine Plots, who will guide you appropriately as you analyze this land.
By taking these measures, you will have all the information concerning the title of this property and will not have any issues concerning the title in the future.
7 Essential Documents You Need When Buying Commercial Property in India
It is quite thrilling to ride in commercial real estate, and as such, it's very important that you get the paperwork right so that the transaction goes through; below is a quick guide to the seven key documents you will need when purchasing commercial property in India:
Title Deed This is the golden ticket. What it does is confirm ownership by a seller and prove that the property is free from any form of lawful and legitimate disputes; thus, it forms a cornerstone of your purchase.
Sales Agreement It can be said to be that document acting as your roadmap. The sale agreement provides an indication of all the terms regarding the sale, that is, the price and time frame when the payment should be made, both parties getting to the same page.
Not missing the registration process: Registration of property should be done with the sub-registrar of the local authority. You will need to pay stamp duty and registration fees, of course!
Encumbrance Certificate: An encumbrance certificate is your safeguard for various reasons. An encumbrance certificate states that there are no legal liabilities or outstanding dues against the property.

No Objection Certificates (NOCs): Depending upon the type of property, you would need a set of diversified NOCs from local authorities. NOCs merely confirm that there are no legal matters or objections towards the property.
Building Approval Plan: You would be planning any kind of renovation. Well, if that's indeed the case, you will require a building approval plan from the local municipalities to ascertain that the modifications done are within the zoning laws and regulations.
Tax Receipts: Let Your Records Keep Tidy! Up-to-date property tax receipts are important documentation to ensure that there are no pending dues in relation to the property and that it is free from hassles.
Incorporation of such important papers in your purchase will make the transaction smooth as well as a prudent investor. To ascertain that the purchase has been successful, you can employ real estate experts or the legal counsel of Genuine Plots to guide you through the papers.
When it comes to property transactions, several factors need to be considered; each comes with specific rules and paperwork. Here's a simple guide to help you understand them:
Types of Property Transactions
Sale Deed
A sale deed is a document that records a property's ownership.It proves the buyer owns the property and has legal rights to it. The property should be free from legal disputes or issues.
Gift Deed
A gift deed transfers property ownership as a gift, with no money involved. The recipient becomes the owner, and the giver gives up all rights to the property. The giver must own the property and must give it voluntarily, without pressure.
Mortgage Deed
It is used when a property is provided as security for a loan. The borrower must own the property and agree to the mortgage terms.

Rights and Responsibilities of Buyers and Sellers
Buyers
Rights: Buyers have the right to know the property details, which include clear titles and accurate condition details. They also have the right to know the legal status of the property and its registration under their name.
Responsibilities: The buyers are responsible for verifying the seller's ownership and legal status of the property.
Sellers
Rights:
Sellers are entitled to receive the agreed payment for the property and can expect the buyer to meet their responsibilities as outlined in the sale deed.
Responsibilities
Sellers are responsible for providing accurate information about the property, including disclosing any encumbrances, ensuring a clear title, and coordinating with buyers on registration requirements.
For more insights and updates, follow us to stay informed and ahead in your property journey.
How to Get an Encumbrance Certificate (EC) in Maharashtra: A Simple Guide
If you need an Encumbrance Certificate (EC) for a property in Maharashtra, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you:
Steps to Get an EC in Maharashtra
- Visit the Sub Registrar's Office:
- Go to your local Sub Registrar's office. This is where you will apply for the EC.
- Get the Application Form:
- Ask for Form 22, which is the application form for the EC. You can get this form at the Sub Registrar office.
- Fill Out the Form:
- Complete the form with all the required details about the property and yourself.
- Submit the Form:
- Submit the filled form along with:
- Non-judicial stamp paper
- Required documents
- The reason for needing the EC
- Pay the Fees:
- Pay the fees for the EC as mentioned at the time of submission. The fee depends on where you apply.
- Receive an Acknowledgement Receipt:
- After submission, you will get an acknowledgment receipt with an ID number. Keep this receipt safe as it is proof of your application.


Documents You Need
To apply for an EC, you will need the following documents:
- Proof of your residence
- Identity cards like Aadhaar, PAN card, and ration card
- Address and details of the property
- Copy of the sales deed (any deed related to the land, whether recent or old)
- Purpose of the EC request
- Period for which you need the EC
- Copy of the power of attorney if someone else is applying on your behalf
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for an EC in Maharashtra, you should meet these conditions:
- You must own the land or property for which you are applying.
- If someone else is applying on your behalf, they must hold a valid power of attorney.
Important Notes
- Processing Time: The EC usually takes between 15 to 30 days to be issued after you apply.
- Language: The EC is issued in the regional language. If you need it in English, there will be an extra fee for translation.
You can obtain your Encumbrance Certificate easily by following these steps
Encumbrance Certificates: Importance, Types, and Benefits for Property Transactions
An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is an important document that proves a property is free from any legal or financial problems. This certificate is issued by the Department of Registration and Stamping in the state or union territory where the property is located. It is needed when you are registering ownership, selling, or transferring property. The EC is also required by banks when you apply for a home loan or a loan against your property.
What Does the Encumbrance Certificate Show?
The Encumbrance Certificate gives a history of the property, showing who owns it and listing all transactions related to it. This can include sales, purchases, loans, leases, and other changes in ownership, like inheritance. The EC can go back as far as 30 years and also include information about any legal disputes or fraud related to the property.
Why is the Encumbrance Certificate Important?
- Proof of Ownership
- The EC is a key document that proves who owns the property. If you want to buy land or a property, the EC helps ensure that no one else can claim it later. It confirms that the property is legally yours.
- Tax Records
- If property taxes haven’t been paid for more than three years, the EC is used to update the tax records with the local Panchayat or Village administrator. This keeps the property tax information accurate.
- Loan Applications
- When you apply for a loan using your property as collateral, the bank will ask for an EC. The certificate shows that the property has no legal issues, making it easier for the bank to approve the loan.
- Property Mutation
- After buying a property, you need to update the ownership records with the local municipal corporation. This process, called mutation, requires an EC to confirm the transfer of ownership.


Types of Encumbrance Certificates
There are two types of Encumbrance Certificates, which are issued by the sub-registrar office (SRO):
- Form 15:
- This form is issued when the property has had transactions like sales, purchases, loans, leases, gifts, or inheritance. It shows that the property has been involved in these transactions.
- Form 16:
• This is issued when there have been no transactions recorded for the property during the period the certificate covers. It is also known as a “nil-encumbrance certificate,” meaning there are no encumbrances (issues) on the property.