A record from the sub-registrar listing the registered transactions on a property, such as sales and mortgages, over the period you ask for. It shows only what was registered, so a clean one does not rule out an unregistered loan, a court case or another claim.
How it works and what to check
The certificate is issued by the registration department and lists the registered documents affecting a property over the years you ask for: sales, mortgages, gifts, leases and releases. Where nothing was registered, a nil certificate is issued; in some southern states these are Form 15 and Form 16.
Several states let you search or apply online, by survey number or document number; the format and name of the certificate differ by state. Many buyers ask for at least 13 years, and lenders often ask for longer, to cover the chain of title.
An EC shows only what was registered. A mortgage by deposit of title deeds, a pending court case, an unregistered agreement or unpaid tax may not appear, so an EC with no entries does not prove the property is free of every claim. It is one check among several.
Common questions
How many years of encumbrance certificate should I get?
Commonly at least 13 years. Lawyers and lenders may ask for a longer period, especially for land.
Does a nil EC mean the property is free of loans?
It means no encumbrance was registered in that period. Loans by deposit of title deeds and disputes in court may not show, so also check the original deeds and ask the seller for a no-dues letter from any lender.