Maharashtra proposes Aadhaar checks for property registration
Buyers and sellers registering property in Maharashtra could face stricter identity checks if a proposal for mandatory Aadhaar authentication receives government approval.
The registration department wants Aadhaar verification to become a compulsory part of property registration rather than allowing authentication to be skipped in certain cases.
The proposal has particular relevance for the resale market, where verification of the seller, ownership documents and transaction history forms an important part of a buyer's due diligence.
Mandatory authentication could provide an additional identity-verification layer at the registration stage. However, Aadhaar verification should not be viewed as a replacement for checking title documents, previous agreements, property dues and other legal records.
Our take: Better identity verification is positive for the resale ecosystem, but buyers should not confuse identity authentication with complete property due diligence. Both remain important when purchasing a resale home.
What to watch next: The key development will be whether the state government approves the proposal and what exceptions or alternative verification mechanisms are included in the final rules.
