Encumbrance Certificate: what it is and why it matters

An EC reveals the registered transaction history of a property. Understand Form 15 vs 16 and how far back to check.

Encumbrance Certificate · 5 min read · By SANAD Team

An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) lists the registered transactions on a property — sales, mortgages, gifts and partitions — recorded at the Sub-Registrar’s office. It is a core due-diligence document.

Form 15 vs Form 16

Form 15 means there are registered entries in the period requested. Form 16 (a “nil EC”) means there are no registered entries in that period.

How far back

For a confident purchase, obtain an EC covering roughly the last 30 years to capture the full chain of transfers and any unreleased mortgage.

Frequently asked questions

Does an EC show unregistered transactions?

No — only registered transactions appear. That is one reason an EC alone is not full due diligence.

_This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Government rules, fees, forms and portal features change over time — always verify the latest requirements with the relevant Karnataka government department or a qualified professional before acting._

Need help obtaining or reviewing Karnataka property documents? Submit your request through SANAD or contact hello@sanad.co.in. SANAD is an independent document-assistance platform and is not a government department.

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