Home-Buying Checklist for Chennai (2026)
By Property Point Advisory·Updated September 2026
In short
Before booking a home in Chennai, verify RERA registration on TNRERA, the title chain, Patta + TSLR (town survey land register) for the exact survey number, approved plan/OC, and Metrowater vs borewell; also verify the plot is outside CRZ and flood/swamp zones. Get every promise into the agreement, and keep 8–12% of the price aside for statutory and closing costs.
Legal & title
- RERA registration — search the project on TNRERA (https://rera.tn.gov.in)
- Clear, marketable title and the mother deed / chain of ownership
- Patta + TSLR (town survey land register) for the exact survey number
- Encumbrance Certificate (no dues/litigation) and approved building plan / FAR sanction
- Occupancy Certificate (OC) for ready homes; completion timelines in the RERA filing for under-construction
Money & loan
- Home-loan sanction and the bank's own legal/technical clearance (a second opinion on title)
- All-in cost: price + GST + stamp duty + registration + parking + corpus
- Payment plan (construction-linked vs down-payment) and the penalty clause for delays
Chennai red flags buyers actually hit
- Missing patta/TSLR and CRZ or flood-zone plots on ECR/OMR
- Pre-launch bookings on un-approved land (litigation risk, indefinite delays)
- Metrowater vs borewell; also verify the plot is outside CRZ and flood/swamp zones
- Verbal amenity promises not written into the sale agreement
Good to know
Questions buyers ask
What is the single most important check when buying in Chennai?
RERA registration plus a clean title and Patta + TSLR (town survey land register) for the exact survey number. Skip these and both your loan and future resale are at risk.
Should I buy pre-launch to save money?
Only from a tier-1 builder on fully approved land. Community threads are full of pre-launch bookings stuck for years due to litigation — the discount rarely justifies the risk.
Ready-to-move or under-construction?
Ready-to-move removes construction and delay risk and attracts no GST, but costs more. Under-construction is cheaper with more choice, but demands strict RERA and builder due diligence.
Private advisory
From research to a shortlist.
An advisor will share price sheets, floor and payment plans for homes that fit your budget, and arrange the visits.
Speak with an advisor