No one said the process of buying a home is quick. But when the wait is finally over, we can't wait to move in - make our new homes, and start our new lives. In this flurry of excitement and impatience, one might find that they haven't taken the time out to make sure that every box on their to checklist has been ticked off. Namely, a documentation check. Our homes aren't just made of bricks and plaster. A home finally becomes our own, when each document that is needed and verified by the government is in our possession as well. The process of making sure you have each document is tiring, but an absolute necessity. Without all your documents in proper order, not only will one find it difficult to prove ownership of their own home, it will affect everything starting from property tax to even the reselling of the house.

We understand that you have a million other things on your plate to take care of while planning your shift into your new home, and that's why we've curated an exhaustive checklist for you to tick off - leaving no document out. Have a look and take stock of what you've already covered.

Also Read:Essential Legal Documents for Buying Property in India: A Comprehensive Guide

LIST OF DOCUMENTS YOU MUST POSSESS TO MAKE YOUR HOMEBUYING COMPLETE

1. SALE DEED

A sale deed is the most important proof of your ownership. A sale deed needs to be registered in a sub registrar's office, in the area where the property is located. This document is proof that you are the legal owner of the property and is filed under the Registration Act. Both the homeowner and the builder will be parties to this deed and will be accompanied by witnesses, to verify this document. The sale deed also illustrates every detail of the transaction, including outstanding payments.

2. POSSESSION LETTER

A possession letter is issued to every homebuyer by the developer, detailing the dates on which the owner can move into the new apartment or property. This letter is especially needed while applying for a home loan. But one must keep in mind, that with a possession letter alone, a family can't begin living in a newly constructed home. They must also be given an occupancy certificate to commence life in that apartment.

3. ENCUMBRANCE CERTIFICATE

This document verifies that the homebuyer is the legal owner of a property and if free of all monetary and legal liability. This ensures that the entire payment has been completed and the homebuyer is an owner without any strings.

4. COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

This certificate is given to the homebuyer by the developer after the entire project has been completed, adhering mind all the rules and regulations of the construction and the original layout, proposed by the developer. Remember, not only are you the owner of your apartment, but you are also a part of a larger community, which is your housing complex.

5. OCCUPATION CERTIFICATE

The Occupation certificate is issued by the local civic authority, notifying all the parties that the completed property has complied to all regulations, code and is now eligible to be inhabited. Essentially, it is the government's green light, indicating that the property is now suitable and safe for residents to stay in. The developer is responsible for getting the certificate through and can be issued only after the entire construction of the project or apartment building is completed. This certificate is particularly important for both the resident and the developer. While asking for clean water supply, electrical line and other civic facilities, an occupancy certificate is a mandatory requisite. Residents will find that an occupancy certificate is also needed while applying for loans.

6. NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE

Most housing societies require a No objection certificate (NOC) before they open the doors up to the homebuyers to move in. The developer can refuse to register your name as the rightful owner, without a valid NOC. And in turn, a developer needs to procure about 19 NOCs themselves, to build a housing complex. These requirements are subjective to state laws.

7. GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

This document authorizes one party, to take a decision on behalf of another party as their legal representative, in a binding transaction. In the case of buying or reselling a house, this document proves whether the purchasing is being done by an authorized person, on behalf of the owner. This has to be produced while applying for a home loan.

8. EXTRACT or KHAATA

A Khaata certification, or an extract as its commonly known is the registration of a new property with the civic authorities. This would ensure that the property is on the record, and is acknowledged in the local municipal rosters. This essentially grants the property a legitimate tag. While applying for a home loan, an extract is one of the most integral documents needed.

9. ALLOTMENT LETTER

The letter of allotment essentially states in clear terms that the premise or the property has been allotted to you. This indicates that the housing board or the developer no longer retains the rights to allocate that space to anyone, as the homebuyer is now the legal owner of that apartment. This letter also details the entire transactional amount and other numbers. However, one must remember that the sale deed and the allotment letter are not the same, or interchangeable. Their legal values differ. An allotment letter is a document that comes with a letterhead of the developer. A sale deed, in contrast, is made on a stamp duty paper, indicating that it is a token from the government of India. It is also to be noted, that while only one allotment letter is issued, to the primary owner, other copies can be made to be kept safe. There can be no other copies made of the sale deed.

10. CAR PARKING ALLOTMENT

Modern-day housing complexes all come with pricey and numbered car parking lots. Most homebuyers are given an option to buy one, at the time of booking their flat itself. Because space is such a luxury in most Indian metro cities, even a car park holds immense value. One would be best off with all the papers of the purchased car park in order so that they can avoid dispute around the spot later. This way, even in their absence, the homebuyer's kin and tenants would be entitled to using that spot.