A-Khata, E-Khata and Registration: The Bangalore Paperwork Explained

Bangalore property paperwork confuses even repeat buyers. Here is the sequence that matters.

Khata is a municipal record of property ownership for tax purposes — not a title document. A-Khata means the property is fully compliant with BBMP norms; B-Khata indicates a deviation and severely limits home loan eligibility.

E-Khata is the digitised record now issued by BBMP. Always ask for the e-Khata extract, not a photocopy of an old paper khata.

Encumbrance Certificate (EC) for the last 30 years shows every registered transaction on the property. Read it for mortgages that were never released.

Occupancy Certificate (OC) confirms the building is legally fit to occupy. Never take possession of a completed apartment without it.

Registration attracts stamp duty (5% above Rs 45L), cess and surcharge, plus 1% registration fee. Budget these in cash — most lenders do not fund them.

Sequence: agreement of sale, loan sanction, khata verification, EC and OC checks, then registration at the sub-registrar office of the property jurisdiction.