Most disputes over property in Bangladesh trace back to the same root cause: a document that was never checked before money changed hands. None of this paperwork is exciting, but it's the difference between owning a flat outright and owning a problem. Here's the checklist we walk every Way Housing buyer through before registration.
1. Ownership and title history
- Original title deed — confirms who legally owns the underlying land.
- Chain of previous deeds — shows how ownership has passed down to the current owner, with no gaps.
- Khatian and porcha — the government's own land record, which should match the deed.
- Mutation (namjari) record — confirms the current owner's name is actually updated in official records, not just on paper.
- Land tax receipt (DCR) — shows there are no outstanding tax arrears attached to the land.
2. Approvals and construction legality
- RAJUK or relevant local authority approved building plan — verifies the structure itself meets city or district planning rules.
- Construction permit — confirms the building was cleared to be built in the first place.
- Occupancy certificate, where applicable — confirms the building is legally fit to live in.
3. The developer's own standing
- Developer's registration and legal documents — establishes the company actually has the authority to sell.
- Development agreement (if the land was developed under a landowner-developer arrangement) — clarifies who holds what rights, and whether the developer's share is being sold with a clean title.
4. Encumbrances and clearances
- Mortgage/bank No Objection Certificate — confirms the property isn't already pledged against someone else's loan.
- Litigation search — checks that no court case is attached to the property.
- Holding tax and utility bill clearance — confirms there's no unpaid municipal tax or service charge waiting for you after handover.
5. The agreement itself
- Booking and sale agreement — should spell out the payment schedule, handover date, and what happens if either side doesn't meet it.
- Flat measurement verification — confirms the usable area matches what you're paying for, including how common areas are counted.
- Parking documentation, if included — specifies exactly what you own or are entitled to use.
If a seller or developer is reluctant to show any single item on this list, treat that reluctance itself as the answer.
A note on how we handle this at Way Housing
Every unit we sell comes with a clean, verifiable chain of title and an approved plan on file before it ever reaches a buyer — which is exactly why this checklist takes minutes, not weeks, to close out on one of our projects. We'd still encourage every buyer, on any project from any developer, to review these items with an independent lawyer before registration. It's a small cost next to what it protects.
Looking at a specific unit and want the documentation walked through with you directly? Contact our team — we're glad to go through it line by line.
Research Sources
Esho Income Kori — Legal Document Checklist for Buying a Flat in Bangladesh
GLG Assets — Land Records Bangladesh: How to Check Plot and Developer Title Online
Way Housing — Ongoing Projects
