Title Deed
The legal document that establishes ownership of a property. After registration, the buyer's sale deed becomes their title document.
What is a Title Deed?
A title deed is any legal document that establishes the right of ownership over a property. The term encompasses sale deeds, gift deeds, partition deeds, court decree documents, and government grant certificates, depending on how ownership was acquired. In Indian real estate, "title deed" most commonly means the registered sale deed — the document that transfers ownership from seller to buyer through the Sub-Registrar office. Once registered, the sale deed becomes the buyer title document.
Why Clear Title Matters
A property title is "clear" if:
- The seller has an unambiguous, uncontested right to sell
- There are no undisclosed mortgages or encumbrances
- The property is not subject to government acquisition or court orders
- There are no co-owners whose consent has not been obtained
- The chain of ownership going back 30+ years is traceable and consistent
Purchasing property with a defective title exposes the buyer to cancellation of the sale, loss of the property through court proceedings, inability to obtain a home loan, and difficulty in future resale.
Title Types and Their Risks
| Title Type | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clear marketable title | Low | 30-year clean EC, no disputes |
| POA-based title | Medium-High | POA can be revoked; Supreme Court ruling restricts transfers |
| Revenue site / B-Khata (Bangalore) | High | Outside BBMP jurisdiction, regularisation uncertain |
| Agricultural land converted for residential | Medium | Conversion order must be verified |
Title Due Diligence Checklist
- Obtain 30-year EC from Sub-Registrar office
- Review all documents in the ownership chain (parent deeds)
- Verify land records (RTC/pahani/mutation register as applicable)
- Check for agricultural land conversion order if applicable
- Confirm no government acquisition notice or town planning reservation
- Search court records for any pending litigation on the survey number
How Brickplot Uses Title Information
Brickplot Title Health axis in the scoring model evaluates the quality of title for every project land parcel. We verify EC cleanliness, identify the original land grant type, and check for agricultural conversion orders where required. Projects with disputed or unverifiable title are marked with a legal risk warning on the platform.
Related Terms
- Encumbrance Certificate — proves the title is lien-free
- Sale Deed — the registered document that becomes the buyer title
- Parent Deed — the historical ownership chain supporting the title
Related terms
Brickplot verifies title deed disclosures on every reviewed project as part of the independent 11-axis score. No builder commissions. No editorial override.