Buying Property in Punjab? Title Search Checklist Before You Pay
Most property disputes start because something was not checked before payment. A title search confirms that the seller actually owns the property, that it is free from loans and cases, and that it can be legally sold. Banks get a title search done before every home loan; individual buyers should too.
The checklist
- Chain of title. Collect the previous sale deeds, gift deeds or inheritance documents for the last 15 to 30 years. Each owner in the chain must have had the right to sell.
- Jamabandi (Fard). Check the latest jamabandi for the owner's name, share and khasra/khewat numbers. Punjab records can be seen online on the Punjab land records website (jamabandi.punjab.gov.in).
- Mutation (Intkal). Check that the mutation is sanctioned in the seller's name. Mutation is a revenue entry and does not by itself prove ownership, so it must match the title documents.
- Loans and charges. Look for mortgage entries, bank charges or court attachments. If the property was ever mortgaged, ask for the bank's loan closure letter and release.
- Court cases. Search for pending cases about the property or the seller, including on the eCourts portal by party name.
- Approvals. For plots and flats, check that the colony or project is approved by the competent authority (such as PUDA, GMADA, GLADA or the local body), and that the building plan is sanctioned. Check whether an NOC is needed for registration in that colony.
- Power of Attorney sales. If the seller is acting under a power of attorney, check that it is valid, specific to this property, and that the owner is alive.
- All co-owners and heirs. In inherited property, every legal heir must sign the sale deed, or there must be a registered partition.
- Possession and boundaries. Visit the site. For agricultural land, get demarcation done if boundaries are unclear.
- Dues. Property tax, water and sewerage bills, electricity and society dues should be cleared.
Before signing
- Pay earnest money only through bank transfer or cheque, against a written agreement to sell with a clear timeline.
- The sale deed must be registered before the Sub-Registrar on proper stamp duty.
- After registration, apply for mutation in your name in the revenue or authority records.
This guide gives general legal information under Indian law as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. Laws, rules and fees change, and every case depends on its own facts, so take advice from an advocate before acting.