Documents you need to lease land for a solar or wind project

When a developer is interested in leasing your land for a solar plant or wind turbine, one of the first things they will ask for is documents. This can feel intrusive, but it isn't a formality: a long-term lease and the project financing behind it depend on being sure who owns the land, exactly what land it is, and whether anything prevents its use.

This guide lists the documents commonly requested in Tamil Nadu and explains why each matters. Requirements vary by developer and lender, so treat it as a starting point, not a complete list.

Revenue records

Revenue records are maintained by the state Revenue Department and describe land ownership, extent and use.

Patta

The patta is the revenue record showing who holds the land in the government's records, with survey numbers, subdivisions and extent. In Tamil Nadu, the former separate chitta record has been integrated into the patta. See what is patta and how to check it.

Why it matters: it is the first check of whose name the land stands in.

Adangal (village account)

The adangal, maintained at village level, records details such as land classification, cultivation and use for each survey number.

Why it matters: it shows how the land is classified and used, which affects whether it can be leased for a project. See patta, chitta and adangal: the differences.

FMB sketch

The Field Measurement Book (FMB) sketch shows the shape, dimensions and boundaries of a survey number and its subdivisions.

Why it matters: it confirms the physical extent and boundaries of the land. See FMB sketch explained.

A-register and other village records

Other village records may be checked to confirm classification and history.

Registration records

Registration records are maintained by the Registration Department and document transactions.

Title deeds

Sale deeds, gift deeds, settlement deeds, partition deeds and similar documents that show how the current owner acquired the land.

Why it matters: title deeds establish ownership in law; patta is a revenue record and does not by itself prove title.

Parent documents

Earlier deeds showing how previous owners held the land — the chain of title, often over several decades. See tracing a chain of title.

Encumbrance certificate (EC)

The EC lists registered transactions affecting the property over a chosen period — sales, mortgages, leases and others.

Why it matters: it reveals mortgages, earlier leases or other registered transactions that could affect the land. See encumbrance certificate guide.

Identity and family documents

• Identity proof for each owner
• Legal heir certificate or succession documents, where land was inherited
• Death certificates of deceased owners in the chain
• Family tree for jointly held or inherited land
• Partition documents, if family land was divided

Why it matters: if land is inherited or jointly owned, every person with a share may need to sign. See jointly owned land and co-owner consent and patta transfer after inheritance.

Other documents that may be requested

• Power of attorney, if someone is acting on behalf of an owner. See power of attorney in land transactions.
• Court orders or settlements, if there has been any litigation
• Loan documents or bank release letters, if land was mortgaged
• Land use or conversion orders, if classification has changed
• Tax receipts for land revenue

A checklist

Common problems

• Patta still in a deceased owner's name — needs updating
• Mismatch between patta extent and deed extent
• Survey number subdivisions not reflected in records. See survey number subdivision records.
• Missing parent documents
• Unregistered family partitions. See unregistered family partition.
• Old mortgages shown in the EC without a recorded release

Most of these can be resolved, but some take months.

How to prepare

1. Collect all deeds and documents you hold
2. Check your patta and FMB online. See checking Tamil Nadu land records online.
3. Obtain a recent EC
4. List all co-owners and heirs
5. Identify gaps and start fixing them
6. Keep copies organised by survey number

Preliminary checks vs legal due diligence

Gathering documents is the first step. A developer will usually carry out preliminary checks, and then lawyers carry out formal legal due diligence before the lease is signed. See preliminary checks vs legal due diligence.

How we help

Through land documentation and due diligence support, we help landowners and developers collect, organise and check land documents, identify gaps early and coordinate their resolution. Formal legal opinions on title are provided by qualified lawyers.