IPatta is one of the most important real estate documents in India, especially in the state of Tamil Nadu and identifies land ownership and records the usability of a specific piece of land. It is a government document that encapsulates many details of the land in question, such as the land survey number, total area and legal status under different land acts. This document is considered the proof of rights issued by the government, and it is very much required in any land dealing. The knowledge of the Patta document components, types, and the process of acquiring it is necessary for the purchasers of real estate, developers, and landowners.
What is Patta?
Patta is a government-issued document that shows the ownership of the land in question. It is sometimes called the ‘Record of Rights’ as it carries essential details of the land, its dimensions, and location, as well as the owner’s name. This document is a guarantee in real estate transactions that the title to the land is legal. Thus, it’s a very important document in the verification of land ownership and the property transfer process. Generally, revenue officials in the state of Tamil Nadu are responsible for maintaining, updating, and issuing Patta when necessary.
Role of Patta in Construction
- Legal Ownership Verification: Patta is the document that establishes non-ambiguous ownership of land, thus being directly related to building licenses and authorisations issued by local authorities.
- Clearance for Construction: The possession of a good Patta will, in general, lead to the successful attainment of construction clearances from local and municipal bodies without any delays due to land ownership disputes.
- Property Financing: Financial institutions such as banks ask for a valid Patta for the issuance of a loan granted for buying land or for construction purposes. Patta is the document that reassures them that the land is owned in full compliance with the law.
- Avoidance of Encroachments: Patta is the document that certifies that the land is free of encroachments and disputes. Consequently, this lowers the chances of developers and construction companies falling into trouble because of those kinds of legal issues.
- Government Recognition: In case of projects needing government permissions or public works, a Patta is one of the main documents presenting ownership of the land and complying with the relevant rules and regulations.
- Smoother Property Transactions: For resale or change of ownership, Patta acts as an instrument of nondisclosure, and at the same time it diminishes the possibility of legal problems.
Key Components of a Patta
The following are the key components of a Patta:
1. Owner’s Name
The item describes the name of the person who has legal ownership of the property so that the holder’s rights are recognised by the government. The owner’s name is used for all land transactions, sales, and court cases to solve the problem of ownership.
2. Survey Number
Each land parcel is given a unique number after a survey is done by the government. The survey number is the main identifier through which the exact location of the land is arranged and registered in official records.
3. Subdivision Number
The various numbers that indicate different parts of the property after the division of a single land/property are called subdivision numbers.
4. Land Area
The first and most important aspect of land will usually be its measurement in acres/hectares. The land area is key for determining its monetary value, and is consequently used to determine land taxes, zoning, and future development.
5. Land Type (Wetland or Dryland)
Land is differentiated as either a wetland (irrigated) or a dryland (non-irrigated) or by other types based on land use like residential, commercial, industrial, etc. and is the determining factor of its allowed usage and value. Such a division greatly affects property taxes as well as the land’s qualification for agricultural subsidies.
6. Tax Information
This part mentions the details of land tax paid and the arrears as well as the liabilities. It is a very important aspect that checks if the land is totally free of unpaid dues, which can affect its sale or development in the future.
7. Location of the Land
The location is described in the record to give a clear idea of where the property is, including the village, district, and any other landmarks or regions for easy recognition.
8. Boundaries and Extent of the Land
Property lines or boundaries identify and separate the land parcel from neighbouring ones. In order to obtain correct and detailed information about boundaries, it is also essential to find out the land’s size, which results in the least possible chance that the rightful owners get involved in land disputes.
9. Mutation Register Extract (Ownership History)
The mutation register refers to the documentation of the different owners who have taken possession of the land by means of every transfer, sale, or legal dispute dealing with the land. Hence, the present owner receives his or her rights without any doubt or previous claims interfering.
10. Record of Rights (RoR)
The RoR specifies the rights linked with the land, for instance, the owner’s usage rights, duties, as well as any shared rights. It is the document that guarantees the legal rights of the landowner and specifies encumbrances, if any.
11. Encumbrance Details (If Any)
An encumbrance certificate discloses any monetary or legal encumbrances of the property, e.g., in the case of a mortgage or court issue. So the buyer or lender can be informed of the possible limitations or obligations of the land.
12. Village and Taluk Information
This describes the land’s location at the level of the lowest administrative units, e.g., the village and taluk. This is the basis of local government and also a means of ensuring that the land is complying with the district’s land-use policies and regulations.
Types of Patta in Tamil Nadu
- UDR Patta: A UDR (Updating of Registry) Patta indicates that a property was recently surveyed and its records updated. This system aimed to organise land ownership by revamping very old data and digitising it for a more efficient land record process.
- Natham Patta: A Natham Patta is given to lands in villages or city outskirts that are used for residential purposes but did not originally belong to anyone. Such a patta makes land ownership by the land’s users more formal and legalised.
- AD Patta (Adi Dravidar Patta): This Patta is meant to benefit the Adi Dravidar (Scheduled Castes) community, and it is a land grant to an individual for welfare and development purposes.
- Government Assigned Patta: The Patta is given by the government for lands that have been allocated for public purposes or community development. In this way, a Patta helps in safeguarding that the land is utilised for social and infrastructural purposes.
- 2C Patta: This patta is for the lands that are government or civic property with restricted use. For example, public parks and playgrounds.
- Individual Patta: The Individual Patta is a sign of it being yours and only yours and issued to you, the landowner. It shows sole ownership and control over a specific piece of land, which could be agricultural, residential or of other types.
- Joint Patta: When the land is co-owned by more than one individual or entity, a Joint Patta is issued. It mentions and identifies the shared ownership of and responsibility for the land.
- Land Handover Patta: This Patta is issued at the time of transfer of land ownership from one party to another, validating the legality of the handover process.
- Manual Patta: Before the land records were digitised, the Manual Patta was a paper-based document that recorded land ownership. In most cases, it is being replaced with a digital Patta.
- Inam Patta: Historically, Inam Patta is generally connected to properties that were granted for religious, educational, or charitable purposes.
How to Apply for a Patta in Tamil Nadu?
1. Prepare Necessary Documents: Gather essential documents like your property’s sale deed, Aadhaar card, land survey number, land tax receipts, and proof of residence.
2. Visit the Official Portal: Access the online service section of the Revenue Department of the Tamil Nadu Government.
3. Fill Application Form: Provide the necessary details, such as land survey number and owner information, in the online application form.
4. Submit Supporting Documents: To prove your ownership, upload the scanned copies of all the documents.
5. Payment of Fees: The prescribed application fee, which is subject to differences based on the land type and location, is to be paid by the applicant.
6. Verification Process: The revenue officials will check the details and documents provided. If needed, an inspection may be arranged.
7. Download Patta: You can get your Patta from the portal as a downloadable file, or it can be collected from the local authorities.
8. Follow-Up: If there are any mismatches, it is advisable to get in touch with the Revenue Department office to get more information.
Required Documents for Applying
The documents that are needed are,
- Proof of Ownership: In general, original documents, like the sale deed, gift deed, or inheritance document, which prove the land to be owned by the applicant are required.
- Aadhaar Card: The copy of the applicant’s Aadhaar card acts as the basic identity proof.
- Land Survey Number: The land or site survey number is the identification code for the property, so a copy of that is required.
- Identity Proof: Some more documents, like a voter ID or passport, may be required for the applicant’s identity verification.
- Land Tax Receipts: Property tax receipts are proof that the land taxes are paid legally up to the current period.
- Revenue Records: The existing records of revenue or the old Patta, if any.
- Encumbrance Certificate: If there is one, to indicate that the property is not under any legal liabilities or mortgages.
Steps to Verify and Download Patta Online
1. Visit the Official Website: Open the Government of Tamil Nadu’s official revenue portal for land records.
2. Select the Relevant Option: From the menu, select the “Patta and FMB” (Field Measurement Book) section.
3. Enter the Required Details: Give the survey number, district, or other necessary land details.
4. Verification Process: Check whether the details entered are correct and match the land records.
5. After verification, click on “Get Patta”: Click the “Get Patta” option after verification to access the details.
6. Save the Patta: Once the patta document opens, hit the download button to keep the Patta file as a PDF.
Conclusion
Patta is a crucial proof of land ownership in Tamil Nadu and is required for numerous legal and construction works. Knowing the Patta attributes, classes, and use procedures helps property owners and real estate developers to make sure that their properties are legally secured, which is very important for property transactions and for building projects to be successful. The knowledge of Patta as a document will equip you to be more efficient in the land management system in Tamil Nadu, whether you want to apply for a new Patta or verify your old one.
Apoorva H P Achar