What to do when you get your Property Documents misplaced?

Loss of documents related to your property can be a hassle, especially when you are trying to sell it off. You should not take the matter lightly and try to get a duplicate copy of the documents. It is difficult to sell your property if the documents are missing. Here, you will come across the process of obtaining a duplicate copy of the documents.

• File a complaint with the police

At the outset, a complaint has to be filed with the police. When you realize that the documents are missing, you need to file an FIR about it, whether it gets stolen, misplaced or lost. You need to keep a copy of this FIR safely with yourself. The buyers may ask for this copy when you sell your property.

• Publish an advertisement

After filing the FIR, you need to publish an advertisement, stating the loss of the documents in an English daily or a regional newspaper. The owner of the property has to wait for the next 15 days, and see if the documents are found and returned by anybody.

• Applying for share certificate

Based on the FIR, you need to file an application from the housing society for share certificate. A society meeting is arranged by the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) and the authorities check out the proof of the loss. When the application is approved, you need to pay a fee to the housing society for issuing a share certificate. You may also ask for a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the society, as it will come useful later on.

• Registering with the notary

Next, the undertaking has to be prepared on stamp paper, stating the loss, along with the published text in the newspaper and FIR number. The notary will register and attest the documents, which will make your undertaking legal.

• Get the duplicate document

Finally, you need to get the duplicate copy of the sale deed of the property. It is necessary to deposit copies of complaints filed with the police, advertisement text, the stamped undertaking and the share certificate. This has to be done, as that particular office is responsible for maintaining the records regarding the transaction of property. Then, the owner of the property has to pay the fees to get a duplicate copy of the sale deed issued.

The process involves certain costs, but you need to make the expenses to get the duplicate copy of your property documents.