Khata

A khata is an entry in the register kept by your local body, the city corporation or the gram panchayat. It records the property, its size and the person who pays property tax on it. When you buy a flat, you apply to have the khata moved into your name. Until that happens, the tax bills and the civic records still point to the builder or the earlier owner.

In Bengaluru you will hear of A-khata and B-khata. An A-khata is issued for property the corporation treats as fully compliant with its rules. A B-khata is a separate register used for properties with some irregularity, such as missing approvals. Today most city records are moving online as e-khata, and in village areas the panchayat issues its own forms, often called Form 9 and Form 11.

Banks usually ask for the khata before lending, because it ties the flat to a tax record. You also need it to get water and power connections in your name and, later, to sell. A khata is a tax document, not a title document. Ownership comes from your registered sale deed and the chain of deeds before it.

• Which body issues the khata for this land: city corporation or panchayat.
• Whether the khata for the land or the building is in the seller’s or builder’s name today.
• Whether it is an A-khata, B-khata or a panchayat entry, and what that means for your loan.
• That property tax has been paid up to date. Ask for the latest receipt.

After registration, apply for the khata transfer with a copy of your sale deed, tax receipts and ID. Keep the acknowledgement safe; you will be asked for it.