How to Apply for Encumbrance Certificate (EC) in Tamil Nadu?
An encumbrance certificate is essential to establish ownership of any property. It also provides proof of any monetary or legal liabilities on the property with details of all transactions. So, how can citizens initiate the application procedure for an encumbrance certificate (EC) in Tamil Nadu? To make the application process easy for property owners, the TN Government allows citizens to apply through the TNREGINET online portal.
Read on to know how to apply for an Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu online and offline, its importance, documents required
Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu
An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is an important document that proves the ownership of a property or land. It contains the buyer’s and seller’s information, detailed information about the property, important dates, etc. Encumbrance Certificate or Villangan Certificate is issued by the sun-registrar. Thankfully, property owners can easily obtain an Encumbrance Certificate online through the TNREGINET website. This is the official Tamil Nadu Government website for online registration.
Documents Required for Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu
- Property details
- Registration documents
- Details like district, zone, village, sub-registrar, sub-division number, built-up area, plot number, etc.
Confirm the details before proceeding to apply for an EC in Tamil Nadu online.
How to Apply for an Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Government has established the IGRS online portal or TNREGINET to offer registration services for birth, marriage, death, etc. It also allows citizens of TN to apply for and view their encumbrance certificate (or villangam certificate) online. Follow these steps to apply for an encumbrance certificate via this portal:
How to Apply for Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu online
Follow these steps to apply for an Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu:
- Visit the Official Registration Department Website
Click on TNREGINET to visit the official Tamil Nadu Registration Department’s website .
- Complete Registration
Next, you will have to register/sign up on the website. Enter username, password and security question. Next, enter your personal details, Aadhaar card number, PAN number and property details. You will get an OTP. Enter the OPT. You will receive a confirmation mail on your registered email. Click on the link in the email to c complete the user registration process.
- Login with Username and Password
Login to the TNREGINET portal, click on ‘Online Services’ under ‘Encumbrance Certificate’.
- Enter the Property Details
On the next page, fill in these details:
Name of the zone, district, village
Type in the start and stop date for EC
New and old Survey number
Property address details, including door number, plot number, flat number, ward, boundary area, etc.
Name of the declared owner and father’s name, etc.
Subdivision number - Enter the Security Code
Type in the security code. Thereafter, click on ‘Search’.
- Enter Personal Details
Type in your name and phone number and click on ‘Next’.
- Complete Payment
On the payment screen, click on ‘Pay’. Enter your name, address and sub-registrar office and choose which financial institution you want to pay from. You will get a bank reference number as the payment is processed. You will also get a transaction ID for tracking application status.
After the sub-registrar gives approval, you will get a digital copy of the EC in your account with a digital signature.
How to Apply for Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu Offline
People can also send an application for an EC offline at the office of the concerned sub-registrar by following these steps:
Step 1: Make sure that you have all necessary documents for proof of address, property ownership, details and title deed.
Step 2: Next, you will have to collect the application form for EC certificate. You can download and print this from the official website of TNREGINET.
Step 3: Fill in the all required details and submit the form at the SRO office.
Step 4: Finally, you will have to pay the required fees for the TN EC services. Upon payment of the fee, you will get a receipt for the same.
Step 5: The documents will be checked for the verification of their legality. If there have been no transactions, you will receive a nil encumbrance certificate within a maximum of 30 days from the day of the application.
Importance of the Encumbrance Certificate
An encumbrance certificate provides all details of financial and legal transactions with regard to property. It serves as evidence that the owner can sell a property with a clean title without being worried about litigation. For a property mortgaged with a financial institution, the EC will show the financial institution’s stake in it.
This certificate is necessary for these situations:
- It is necessary for getting property loans from financial institutions to make sure that it is not already mortgaged.
- The EC, along with a possession certificate, can be used to prove ownership.
- EC is mandatory for the mutation and selling of a property.
- You need an EC to make withdrawals from your provident fund (PF) for property purchase and home construction.
- EC is necessary to update land tax if it is unpaid for more than three years.
How to Search and View an Encumbrance Certificate Online in Tamil Nadu?
To search for your property’s EC, follow these steps:
Step 1: Log in to the official portal of TNREGINET.
Step 2: Under ‘Encumbrance Certificate’, select ‘Search/View EC’.
Step 3: On the next page, you have three options to search the EC with — Document-wise, plot flat wise and EC.
Step 4: Select the data for the name of the zone, district, village and sub-registrar office.
Step 5: Enter the start and stop date, sub-division number etc.
Step 6: Enter the CAPTCHA code. After this, click the ‘Search’ option.
Also Read: Home Loan For Under Construction Property
How to Obtain a Digitally Signed EC in Tamil Nadu?
Step 1: Visit the official website of TNREGINET.
Step 2: Go to the ‘e-Services’ drop-down menu.
Step 3: If you are a registered user select ‘Encumbrance Certificate’ and click on ‘Search and Apply EC’. if not, register on the TNREGINET first.
Step 4: Make payment for the EC. A digitally signed copy of EC can be downloaded from the ‘Request List’ tab.
Fees for Digitally Signed Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu
| Application Fee | Rs. 1 |
| Search of the First Year | Rs. 15 |
| Every Subsequent Year | Rs. 5 |
| Additional Fee (1987 onwards) | Rs. 100 |
How to Download Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu?
Step 1: Visit the official website of TNREGINET.
Step 2: Select ‘Encumbrance Certificate’ under e-Services. Click on ‘View EC’
Step 3: Enter the required details to generate the EC.
Step 4: Download the EC or Villangam certificate to complete the process.
How to Track Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu Application Status
Step 1: Visit the TNeGA portal.
Step 2: Create a user ID.
Step 3: Log in to the portal.
Step 4: Click on ‘Check Status’.
Step 5: Enter Transaction Number/ Application number
Step 6: Click on ‘Fetch’ to check the status of EC application status.
How to Get Encumbrance Certificate Corrected in Tamil Nadu?
The information in the Encumbrance Certificate in TN may need rectification. In that case, you need to apply for rectification with proof to show the errors. However, it is best to be very careful while applying for an Encumbrance Certificate to avoid complications.
What is a Non-Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu?
If no transactions take place with respect to the property within the time period for which the EC is required, a non-encumbrance certificate is issued. This is also known as Nil Encumbrance Certificate.
Limitation of an Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu
The main limitation of an EC in Tamil Nadu are:
- The EC allows only transactions to be reflected that took place within the time period. Any transaction before this period will not be reflected.
- Any oral agreement or arrangement, acquisition proceedings, unregistered documents and litigation in a court of law are not reflected in the EC.
- Tax arrears are not reflected in the EC.
Final Word
The encumbrance certificate is an important document showing the legal/financial status of a property. If you intend to sell/transfer property or get a mortgage loan against it, you will have to furnish this document. TNREGINET portal allows residents to view, apply and track the application status of an encumbrance certificate in Tamil Nadu.
FAQs on Encumbrance Certificate in Tamil Nadu
Ans: The following fees are applicable for EC:
Application fee for EC: Rs. 1
Additional EC fees for the computerised period: Rs. 100
Search fees for the 1st year: Rs. 15
Search fees after the 1st year: Rs. 5
Ans: A rectification deed allows you to correct minor mistakes in the encumbrance certificate. You will have to furnish evidence to show the presence of such errors. However, only clerical changes are eligible for correction, and major changes are not permitted.
Ans: Yes, for non-computerised processing, the EC must be issued within four days from the date of admission. This information is stated by Standing Order 979 (ii) for offices and periods of non-computerised EC. For a computerised period, authorities must issue an EC immediately.
Ans: Given is the list of documents that you need to get an encumbrance certificate in Tamil Nadu:
Proof of address
Title deed
Documents to verify property details and registration
Property sales deed, partition deed, gift deed or release deed
Deed number with date
Ans: An encumbrance certificate for a specific time period shows all registered transactions related to a property. It shows the names of current owners, property details and the number of times it changed hands. In addition, it shows any legal claims against the property, property details, pending liabilities and details on gift settlement, etc.
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Disclaimer: This article has been prepared on the basis of internal data, publicly available information and other sources believed to be reliable. The information contained in this article is for general purposes only and not a complete disclosure of every material fact. It should not be construed as investment advice to any party. The article does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information, and disclaims all liabilities, losses and damages arising out of the use of this information. Readers shall be fully liable/responsible for any decision taken on the basis of this article.
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