In real estate, the paperwork matters more than the building. An attractive property in a great location at a tempting price can still be the worst financial decision of your life if its ownership isn't clear. This guide explains the types of ownership proof and what to verify in each case, in practical terms for a buyer rather than a lawyer.
Note: this article is general awareness, not legal advice. Before any purchase or sale, consult a lawyer or a property professional and verify the official record yourself.
Any document a seller shows you is a claim of ownership until you've verified it against what is officially registered. Checking the property register for that property — rather than relying on a photo of a document or an old copy — is the step you never skip, even with a seller you know.
This is the clearest and strongest form of ownership: the property is registered in the owner's name with defined boundaries, area, and a property number. What to verify here:
In many cases ownership is evidenced by something other than a direct registry entry: a court ruling, an old contract, or a document issued by an administrative body. These may be entirely valid, but they require extra verification: which body issued it exactly? Is it final or still open to challenge? And what steps are needed for it to become ownership registered in your name later? Those are questions for a professional, and they need answering before you pay, not after.
Selling through a power of attorney is common and doesn't necessarily indicate a problem, but it puts an intermediary between you and the owner. Verify specifically: the original owner's identity, the scope of the authority and what it actually permits, its date and validity, and whether it's revocable. Treat any vagueness on these points as a reason to pause until it's clear, not as a formality.
Sound ownership doesn't mean a sound property. Check that what's built matches what's licensed and registered (added floors, extensions, changed use), that the actual area matches the stated area, and the status of utilities and subscriptions. The gap between what's registered and what's built becomes your problem after the purchase.
Ask about any outstanding financial obligations on the property or unpaid dues, and about the tenancy status if it's currently occupied: a sitting tenant on a valid lease means you're buying a property and a contract with it. The rights on both sides deserve separate reading — the tenant's guide covers the other perspective.
A deposit paid before ownership is verified is the weakest possible negotiating position. Arrange the verification first, then agree any advance payment in a written document stating the amount, its purpose, and the terms for its return. The common scams in this area are covered in the online scam-avoidance guide.
| Stage | What you verify |
|---|---|
| Before viewing | The seller's standing: owner or agent, and whether the authority covers a sale |
| At the viewing | That the name on the document matches their ID, and the description matches the property |
| Before any deposit | That the property is free of mortgage, seizure or dispute |
| Before paying in full | The registration position, and that transfer is actually possible |
| At signing | A written contract naming both parties, the property, the sum and the undertakings |
For land specifically see our tabu guide, and browse property listings.
Clear ownership is confirmed through the official record and a professional — not through a paper in the seller's hand or the benefit of the doubt. Browse real estate listings on Auto Bazar, then ask what form of ownership proof exists in your first conversation with the seller — asking early saves a lot of viewings.
Before viewing: the seller's standing as owner or agent and whether the authority covers a sale. At the viewing: that the document's name matches their ID and the description matches reality. Before any deposit: freedom from mortgage, seizure or dispute. Before full payment: the registration position and that transfer is actually possible.
Read the document yourself rather than taking their description of it, and confirm it is valid and authorises a sale specifically, not management or use. That distinction is the difference between a valid deal and money paid to someone with no right to take it.
Both parties' details from their IDs and the seller's standing, a precise description of the property and its address, the agreed sum and how much has actually been paid, the handover date, and the seller's undertaking to complete the transfer.
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