LexNovaLegal Associates
Property Lawyer in Chennai
Title verification, conveyancing and property dispute work across Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
Most property disputes in Chennai are avoidable, and almost all of them begin with a transaction that was not checked properly. We verify title before money moves, prepare and register the documents correctly, and act where a dispute has already arisen — over possession, partition, encroachment or a defective transfer.
Work covers residential and commercial property, agricultural and revenue land, and property held by families or by non-resident owners. Our office is at No. 1 Karaneeswarar Koil Street, Saidapet, Chennai 600015, and we act for clients across Tamil Nadu and, on Indian-law matters, for clients based outside India.
What this covers
Title verification, conveyancing and property dispute work across Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
Title due diligence
Chain of title, encumbrance certificate, patta and revenue records, approvals and pending litigation, concluding in a written title opinion.
Conveyancing
Sale agreements, sale deeds, gift and settlement deeds, and registration before the Sub-Registrar.
Leases and tenancy
Commercial and residential leases, licence agreements, and Tamil Nadu tenancy registration.
Partition and settlement
Family partition, settlement deeds and release deeds.
Property disputes
Suits for possession, declaration, injunction, specific performance and cancellation of documents.
Development documentation
Joint development agreements, construction contracts and allotment documentation.
Who we act for
- Buyers and sellers of property in Chennai and Tamil Nadu
- NRIs managing or disposing of Indian property
- Families dividing inherited or ancestral property
- Landlords and tenants of commercial premises
- Developers and landowners entering joint development
How the engagement runs
Every matter is scoped and priced in writing before work begins.
1. Records collection
Deeds, encumbrance certificate, patta, tax receipts and approvals collected or obtained from the relevant offices.
2. Verification
Chain of title traced, encumbrances and litigation checked, and any defect flagged in writing.
3. Written opinion
A title opinion stating whether the title is marketable and what should be cured before proceeding.
4. Documentation
Agreement and deed drafted, stamp duty computed and registration completed.
5. Post-completion
Mutation of revenue records and handover of registered documents.
What to bring to the first consultation
Not every item is needed on day one — bring what you have, and we will tell you what else to obtain.
- Parent documents and the current title deed
- Encumbrance certificate for the relevant period
- Patta, chitta and adangal or the applicable revenue record
- Approved plan and planning permission, where a building is involved
- Property tax receipts and utility bills
- Identity documents for both parties, and a Power of Attorney if a party is abroad
Frequently asked questions
- How far back should the chain of title be traced?
- A period of thirty years is the customary standard for establishing marketable title, and lenders generally expect it. Shorter periods may be acceptable in limited circumstances, but we advise against them for a purchase.
- What does an encumbrance certificate actually show?
- It shows registered transactions affecting the property for the period requested — sales, mortgages and attachments. It does not disclose unregistered arrangements, pending litigation or physical possession issues, which must be checked separately.
- Is patta proof of ownership?
- No. Patta is a revenue record of who is recorded as holding the land and is important evidence, but ownership is established by the registered title documents read together with the revenue records.
- Can property be bought or sold while the owner is abroad?
- Yes, through a registered Power of Attorney executed and attested in the country of residence. Sub-Registrars scrutinise these closely, so the wording and attestation must be correct.
Related pages: Real estate & property law · Real estate legal services in Chennai · NRI legal services in Chennai · Dispute resolution
Discuss your matter with LexNova Legal Associates
Speak with a lawyer in Saidapet, Chennai. Consultations are available in person, by telephone, by video call or on WhatsApp, Monday to Saturday, 9.30 am to 6.30 pm IST.