Who is the Real owner of the Property - Patta Holder or Sale Deed Owner?

Who Is the Real Owner of a Property — Patta Holder or Sale Deed Owner?

🏡 The Common Confusion

One of the most asked questions in real estate is:

“Who is the actual owner of a land — the person whose name is in the patta or the one in the sale deed?”

📜 What Is a Patta?

A patta is a document maintained by the Revenue Department. It is not a legal title deed. It’s just a government record showing:

👉 The survey number of a land,

👉 Who is in possession of it,

👉 And how much land they hold under that number.

A patta is a record of possession, not a proof of ownership.

❗ The Truth About Manual Pattas

Here's something important:

👉 Pattas are available online only for records after 1975.

👉 If the land details are from before 1975, the patta may still be in manual format.

But just because someone brings a manual patta and says “My name is in the patta” doesn’t make them the legal owner.

Also, if a person brings a patta in their father’s name, it doesn’t prove ownership. The patta may never have been updated after the property was sold.

Do not rely on patta alone.

🧾 Then What Is the Real Ownership Proof?

The registered sale deed is what proves legal ownership. It is registered with the Sub-Registrar Office and records the legal transfer of ownership.

To verify ownership, always check:

🔍 Sale Deed: Confirms who bought the land and when.

🔍 Encumbrance Certificate (EC): Shows all past transactions and the current legal owner.

✅ The last name shown in the EC is the current legal owner.

⚠️ Common Misconceptions to Avoid

Scenario	Reality Check
“My father’s name is in the patta, so the land is ours.”	❌ Not true unless there is a valid sale deed.
“I have a manual patta. That means I’m the owner.”	❌ Only valid if supported by a sale deed and EC.
“I don’t need EC; patta is enough.”	❌ EC + Sale Deed = Proof. Patta is just a supporting doc.

🏁 Final Thoughts

At Avittam Homes, we always say — never judge ownership by patta alone. Whether you’re buying land or an apartment, always check the registered sale deed and the EC.

We ensure every Avittam Homes project is built only on clear title lands, with CMDA and RERA approval, and legally verified documents.