Circular No. 39644/உ3/2025, Building Field Inspection for Apartment Resales
The Office of the Head of the Registration Department, Chennai 28, issued Circular No. 39644/உ3/2025 dated 22 January 2026. It removes the requirement for building field inspection when constructed apartments or flats are presented for registration through second or subsequent sale deeds, and directs Sub-Registrars to return the registered documents on the registration date.
What it changes
Circular No. 39644/உ3/2025 dated 22 January 2026 introduces a new procedure for the resale of constructed apartments and flats. Building field inspection is not required when an apartment is presented for registration through a second or subsequent sale deed.
The Registration Department explains that inspections in these cases created additional work for registration officers. For documents valued at rupees fifty lakh or more, inspections also added to the work of Assistant Executive Engineers. Waiting for inspection also delayed the return of registered documents to the parties.
Apartment facilities and registration
Circular No. 39644/உ3/2025 addresses resale deeds that give construction details and mention facilities such as car parking and a lift.
Key directions are:
- Charges may be calculated without conducting a building field inspection.
- Sub-Registrars must confirm that facilities mentioned in the deed, including car parking and a lift, are present.
- Software has been changed to support calculation and registration without field inspection in these resale cases.
- The registered document must be returned on the same day as registration.
The circular does not explain the method by which a Sub-Registrar must confirm the stated facilities.
Existing valuation requirements
Circular No. 39644/உ3/2025 notes that when land and a building are transferred together, Form 1-A is prescribed under Rule 3(1-A) of the Tamil Nadu Stamp (Prevention of Undervaluation of Instruments) Rules, 1968. Its purpose is to ensure that building particulars are disclosed in the document.
The Registration Department also records that earlier circulars provided detailed guidance on determining the correct building value and conducting building field work. The new procedure continues that guidance while removing field inspection for second and subsequent apartment sales.
Who must follow and monitor it
Circular No. 39644/உ3/2025 applies to Sub-Registrars handling second and subsequent apartment sale deeds. It took effect on 22 January 2026.
Regional Deputy Heads of the Registration Department, Assistant Heads of the Registration Department for ranges, and administrative District Registrars must check compliance through surprise inspections. Audit District Registrars must also verify compliance during internal audits. Reports are to be sent for appropriate disciplinary action against Sub-Registrars who do not follow the procedure.
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Common questions
Will my resale apartment require a building field inspection?
A constructed apartment or flat presented through a second or subsequent sale deed does not require building field inspection under Circular No. 39644/உ3/2025.
When should I receive the registered apartment resale deed?
The Sub-Registrar is directed to return the registered document on the same day as registration.
What happens if the resale deed mentions car parking or a lift?
The Sub-Registrar must confirm that facilities mentioned in the deed, such as car parking and a lift, are present. Charges can then be calculated and registration completed without a building field inspection.
When did the no-inspection procedure take effect?
The new procedure took effect on 22 January 2026.
