Buying a plot in Amravati? Check these documents first

Buying a plot can be a great way to build exactly the home you want. But land comes with its own paperwork, and problems in it are expensive to fix later. Here are the main documents to check in Maharashtra, and what to look for in each.

The 7/12 extract (Satbara utara)

The 7/12 extract is the basic record of a piece of land in Maharashtra. It shows the survey number, the area, the owner’s name and the type of land, along with other rights and entries.

Check that:

• the seller’s name appears as the owner
• the survey number and area match the plot you are buying
• the “other rights” entries do not show loans, claims or disputes

Maharashtra’s land records can be viewed online on the Mahabhumi land records portal, but ask the seller for a recent certified copy too.

Mutation entries (Ferfar)

Mutation entries record changes to the land over time: sales, inheritance, divisions and so on. They show how the current owner came to own the land.

Ask for the mutation entries behind the current 7/12. A clear chain of ownership is a good sign; gaps or unexplained changes need questions.

The 8A extract

The 8A extract lists all the land held by a person in a village. It helps confirm what the seller owns.

Non-agricultural (NA) permission

If the land was agricultural, it needs permission for non-agricultural use before homes can be built on it. This is usually called the NA order or NA permission.

Check that the NA order exists, that it covers the survey number of your plot, and that it allows residential use.

Approved layout

In a plotted development, the whole layout must be approved by the planning authority. The approved layout shows the plots, roads, open spaces and amenities.

Check that:

• your plot number appears in the approved layout, with the same size and position
• the roads and open spaces you are promised are part of the approved plan
• the layout you were shown matches the approved one

An interactive 3D master plan of the layout makes this easier to understand, because you can see where each plot sits, its neighbours and the roads around it.

MahaRERA registration

Plotted developments come under the RERA Act too. If the land is larger than 500 square metres or there are more than eight plots, the project must be registered with MahaRERA. See how to check a project on MahaRERA.

Title search by a lawyer

A property lawyer can do a title search, checking the records at the sub-registrar’s office and the land records to confirm the seller’s right to sell and that there are no loans, cases or other claims on the land.

For land, this is one of the most important steps. Do it before you pay a large amount.

Measurement and boundaries

Finally, make sure the plot on the ground matches the papers. If in doubt, the boundaries can be measured by the land records department.

Before you pay

Go through these documents with a lawyer before paying, and read our seven checks before you pay a token amount. If you would like to explore a plotted layout in 3D first, see our work.