Propzee Safety Guide
Buy, rent, and list with confidence
India's property market has fraud risks. This guide helps you verify listings, check RERA, and protect yourself.
Understanding RERA
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) is India's central law protecting property buyers. Every state has its own RERA authority. In Tamil Nadu, this is TNRERA (tnrera.in). Under RERA:
- All residential projects with more than 8 units or 500 sq. m. must be registered before sale.
- Builders must deposit 70% of funds received in a dedicated escrow account.
- Agents (brokers) must also register with RERA individually to practise legally.
- You can file complaints against a builder or agent directly on the TNRERA portal.
How to verify a RERA number: Go to tnrera.in, click “Registered Projects”, and search by project name or registration number.
Propzee's commitment: Every new project listing on Propzee that falls under RERA jurisdiction is required to provide a valid RERA registration number before going live.
How to verify a property listing
Before you pay an advance or sign any agreement, complete these checks:
- Confirm the seller's identity. Ask for their Aadhaar card and cross-check against property documents. Propzee-verified listings have already completed this step — look for the ✓ Verified badge on the listing.
- Check the Encumbrance Certificate (EC). The EC from your sub-registrar office confirms there are no outstanding mortgages or legal disputes. Request the EC for the last 13 years minimum.
- Verify the Patta (for land / plots). Patta is issued by the Tamil Nadu Revenue Department and confirms the legal owner of a land parcel. Never buy land without checking the current Patta.
- Read the Sale Deed / Khata / Building Plan. The sale deed must match the listing description — area, floor, survey number, and any attached car park.
- Check for a loan NOC. If the seller has a home loan on the property, ensure the bank has issued a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) before you proceed.
Property visit safety tips
- Visit during the day. Natural light helps you spot water damage and damp patches that are easy to miss at night.
- Bring a trusted contact. Visit with a family member or friend — avoid going alone to meet strangers for a viewing.
- Meet at the property itself. Prefer meeting the seller at the building rather than at an unknown office first.
- Do not pay cash deposits at the first visit. A token advance should only be paid after document verification and after a written agreement is signed.
- Keep all communication on record. Use Propzee's in-app WhatsApp link so your conversation is traceable in case of a dispute.
- Check water, power, and society dues. Ask to see the last 3 months' electricity bills and confirm there are no unpaid maintenance charges.
Red flags — walk away if you see these
- Price far below market rate. If the asking price is 20–30% below comparable listings in the same area, it is almost certainly a scam or the property has a legal dispute.
- Seller is “abroad” and asks for advance transfer. This is the single most common property fraud pattern in India. Never transfer money before physically verifying the property and the seller's identity.
- No original documents available. A genuine owner will always have the original sale deed, Patta, or EC. Refusal to show originals is a serious warning sign.
- Pressure to sign or pay quickly. “Someone else is also interested” is a sales tactic. A legitimate seller will give you time to verify documents.
- Unregistered agreement. A rental agreement under 11 months is often drafted to avoid stamp duty registration — this offers minimal legal protection. For any commitment beyond 11 months, insist on a registered lease deed.
- No RERA number for an under-construction project. Any legitimate new project above the threshold must be RERA-registered before units are sold.
Tips for sellers listing on Propzee
- Never share your Aadhaar OTP or banking details with anyone claiming to be a buyer or Propzee staff over the phone.
- Verify buyer intent before site visits. Ask for the buyer's name and a brief profile before agreeing to a viewing.
- Use the Propzee dashboard for all enquiries. Centralised enquiry management means you have a written record of every interaction.
- Do not list on multiple portals with different prices. Price inconsistency can delay listing verification and reduce buyer trust.
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