Your property-related legal queries answered by S.C. RAGHURAM, Partner, RANK Associates, a Chennai-based law firm

I plan to buy a residential plot at Pallavaram. Many now say that buying land from individual owners is risky due to the prevalence of duplicate/double documentation. What steps can I follow to ensure I am not scammed?

Rajesh. R

Chennai

It cannot be generalised this way. Please take your lawyer’s opinion as it is possible to verify the authenticity of documents such as patta, E.C. etc., in the office of the issuing authority.

The plot’s physical extent must be clearly defined and should align with the measurements stated in the document/patta.

A physical survey can be conducted with the help of a government surveyor from the office of the Tahsildar to ascertain whether the plot is actually situated on the survey numbers mentioned in the document and patta.

I would like to sell my apartment (purchased 13 years ago). Is GST applicable for this transaction?

If yes, what is the percentage? Is the onus of paying the GST on the buyer or the seller and is this in addition to the stamp duty/ registration charges?

R. Bhanumathi

Chennai

GST is not applicable for transactions relating to the resale of properties and the sale of completed flats.