How do I check for illegal construction before buying an independent house?

Checking for illegal construction involves comparing the actual built structure against the approved building plan sanctioned by the local municipal authority, and verifying that any additional floors or extensions have proper regularization or approval documentation.

Documents to Compare

• Approved building plan sanctioned by the municipal or development authority.
• Completion certificate confirming the structure matches approved specifications.
• Property tax records, which sometimes reflect unauthorized additional floors.

Physical Verification Steps

• Compare the number of floors and setbacks against the sanctioned plan.
• Check whether extensions like extra rooms or floors match approved documents.
• Consult a local architect or engineer for a professional site assessment.

Legal Safeguards to Take

• Request regularization certificates for any deviations from the original plan.
• Verify with the municipal office if any demolition notices exist on record.
• Avoid properties with unresolved unauthorized construction disputes.

In short, cross-verifying the physical structure against approved municipal documents is the most reliable way to detect illegal construction before finalizing an independent house purchase.