What is an Encumbrance Certificate (EC) in Tamil Nadu?
An Encumbrance Certificate is an official record issued by the Sub-Registrar’s Office (SRO) that details all registered transactions for a property within a given timeframe. This includes: Sale deeds, Mortgages, Leases, Gift or partition deeds, Court orders or attachments.
An EC proves that the property does not have any encumbrances—legal or financial—during the specified period.
Why is an EC Important in Tamil Nadu?
An EC ensures that the property you plan to buy, sell, or mortgage has a clear title—free from debts or legal claims. It protects buyers, sellers, banks, and even legal heirs from hidden liabilities.It helps –
- To verify ownership before buying land or property
- Required by banks before granting home loans or mortgages
- Used to update revenue records after a sale or inheritance
- Accepted by courts in property-related disputes
- Needed for property tax corrections, construction approvals, and land mutations
How to Download EC Online in Tamilnadu?
Getting an EC(Encumbrance Certificate) is now completely digital with mypatta. You don’t need to visit the SRO office or submit paperwork.
Steps to Get Patta Chitta Online:
- Open mypatta and log in or sign up if needed.
- Go to property documents, ensure “Tamil Nadu” is selected as the state, then tap the “EC”(Encumbrance Certificate) icon.
- Enter your land details such as Zone, District, Village ,SRO ,Survey and Subdivision number
- Click on Search and EC details will be displayed
- You can now save or share or download this document in PDF on your device.
- EC is available for free. For an official digitally signed copy, Apply for “Signed EC”.
What Information Does the EC Contain?
The Encumbrance Certificate contains the following details:
- Address, survey number, plot number: This helps verify the correct property
- Location, size, boundaries: These details help identify the property
- Details of all registered documents like:
- Sale Deeds
- Mortgages
- Leases
- Partition deeds
- Court orders or attachments ,etc.
- Registration dates, document numbers, and parties involved
Difference Between EC and Certified Copy/Nakal
- A Certified Copy/Nakal is a legal document that establishes ownership. It’s proof that the property was transferred from one person to another.
- An Encumbrance Certificate(EC) shows the history of financial or legal transactions affecting the property. It doesn’t prove ownership, but it verifies that there are no claims or debts during a given period.
When Do You Need an EC?
- Buying Property: Buyers use it to confirm a clear title.
- Selling Property: Sellers include it to prove the property has no liabilities.
- Applying for Loans: Required by banks before issuing a loan.
- Legal Heirship and Inheritance: Used to verify a deceased person’s property ownership.
- Mutation in Revenue Records: Required to update ownership details in local government databases.
- Building Plan Approval: Helps verify legal clearance of land for construction.
- Auditing Property Portfolios: Property investors use it to check for any overlooked liabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I get an Encumbrance Certificate for agricultural land in Tamil Nadu?
Yes, Encumbrance Certificates can be obtained for all types of properties, including agricultural land.
Does the Encumbrance Certificate guarantee ownership of the property?
No, the Encumbrance Certificate only certifies the absence of encumbrances. Ownership should be verified separately through other documents like Certified Copy, which also you can get from “Certified Copy”option in mypatta.
What is the validity period of an Encumbrance Certificate?
The Encumbrance Certificate reflects even the latest transactions recorded for a property. Since property transactions can occur at any time, the most recent version is typically required for official use.
I cannot find my Encumbrance Certificate on mypatta. What should I do?
Double-check the property details entered. If the issue persists, contact our customer support team or visit the Sub-Registrar’s Office.
What is the fee for obtaining the Encumbrance Certificate?
It is available completely free on mypatta. However if you want a digitally signed copy of Encumbrance Certificate then you can continue with the Signed EC option present in mypatta and place an order for it
Key Takeaway
A Tamil Nadu Encumbrance Certificate is one of the most important documents for any property owner or buyer. It helps ensure you’re dealing with a legally clear and debt-free property.
Use mypatta for quick, paperless, and accurate EC access—anywhere, anytime.
Other Blogs link
1.https://mypatta.in/blog/tslr-sketch/
2.https://mypatta.in/blog/understanding-tslr-extract-in-tamil-nadu-a-comprehensive-guide/
3.https://mypatta.in/blog/understanding-a-register-extract-in-tamil-nadu-a-vital-land-document/
6.https://mypatta.in/blog/certified-copy-nakal-in-tamil-nadu-how-to-get-it-online-its-purpose-faqs/
8.https://mypatta.in/blog/patta-chitta-of-tamil-nadu-how-to-get-it-online-its-purpose-faqs/
