5 things you must check when buying a house

1. Check completion certificate: If you plan to buy a flat in any group housing project or a cooperative housing society, ensure that the society has got its completion

1. Check completion certificate: If you plan to buy a flat in any group housing project or a cooperative housing society, ensure that the society has got its completion certificate, which is a prerequisite for ownership of any property

When buying an apartment, find out if your housing project has a completion certificate (Sunil Ghosh)

2. Verify encumbrance documents: It’s important to check certain documents, such as the layout plan and encumbrance documents to confirm if the developer has followed the sanctioned plans and doesn’t owe any dues to any government authority

3. Beware of disputed plots/flats: It is nearly impossible to check whether a plot/flat is under litigation or not. When a dispute is raised and the matter goes to court, that fact doesn’t reflect in the revenue or municipal records

4. Enquire from neighbours: While buying a plot or flat talk to the residents as they can provide vital inputs about the status of the property. According to experts, this is the most effective way to find out if a property is under litigation