Land ownership titles in India explained: What they mean and how they differ

Buying a plot or property is not just about checking its location, size or price. The type of land title determines what you can do with the property, how secure your ownership is and what restrictions may apply.Land ownership in India can take different forms depending on the nature of the property and the laws applicable in a particular state. While freehold and leasehold are the most common terms in urban real estate, India also has state-specific forms of land tenure such as patta, bhumidhari and raiyati rights.Land administration is largely handled by states, which means the terminology and rights attached to different forms of landholding can vary across the country.Here’s a look at the major types of land ownership and tenure rights you should know about before buying property:Freehold ownershipFreehold is generally the simplest form of property ownership.