Flat owners must register their residential property under Section 17 of the Registration Act, of 1908. The process of flat registration can be a smooth experience if all the necessary paperwork is in place and the documents are up to date.

Owners, with two witnesses, need to furnish two passport-size photographs and identity proof, which could be a photocopy of the Aadhaar or Permanent Account Number (PAN) card.

Generally, whenever a developer initiates the registration process with any client, they will provide all the requisite documents as part of the Agreement For Sale (AFS) documents. Only when a customer undertakes a resale transaction will they be required to furnish these documents themselves.

Here’s a list of documents that should be part of the AFS when registering the property for the first time and in the case of a resale agreement.

• A verified original sale deed copy: This is the most important legal document between a landowner and a builder, which remains a piece of evidence for the transfer of ownership.
  
  
• Title verification and search report: This document provides information about the registered owner of the property.
  
  
• Construction plan approval by relevant authorities: Approvals for construction plan sanctions by a Municipal Corporation, town planning permission, non-agricultural (NA) plot permission, and development agreement between an owner and builder.
  
  
• Copy of the No-objection Certificate (NOC) under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976: The document, issued by relevant authorities, is necessary for property transfer.
  
  
• Copy of the latest property register card: This document is an official record of property ownership.
  
  
• Copy of the municipal tax bill: A tax receipt can also be procured online from the official website of the municipal authority of the area.
  
  
• Copy of the Occupancy or Completion Certificate (OC/CC): This document issued by the municipal authorities on the completion of the project ensures that the project is constructed as per the plans approved by the authorities.
  
  
• RERA Certificate: This legal document is issued by the state-level Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). All the projects registered under RERA have a unique registration number and provide relevant information about a property.

• An NOC from the builder or society for the purchase of a flat.
• The latest receipt of payment of the property taxes bill.
• Recently paid society maintenance bill.
• A sale deed executed by a builder in favour of the original purchaser.
• Original documents of the title deed.
• An OC issued by the municipal corporation.
• Housing society share certificate (if applicable).
• Society registration certificate (if applicable).

You need to ensure that you have all the above documents in place before initiating the registration of your flat. It will help to avoid legal complications and ensure a smooth transfer of ownership.