KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Registration makes you the owner; khata transfer updates the civic record so you can pay tax and deal with the authorities in your name.
- In Bengaluru, transfers are handled through the e-khata system (e-Aasthi) under the city corporations that replaced BBMP.
- The transfer fee is commonly cited as 2% of the stamp duty paid, subject to a minimum. Check the current fee when you apply.
- Typical documents: registered sale deed, the seller's e-khata, latest tax receipt, EC and your ID with Aadhaar e-KYC. Apartments need a unit-wise khata.
- Most delays come from mismatches: names, areas or property IDs that differ between documents.
Many buyers assume that once the sale deed is registered, everything is in their name. Ownership is, but the civic record is not. Until the khata is transferred, the property still shows the seller as owner in the city's records, and tax notices, permissions and future sales can get complicated.
Here is how khata transfer works in Bengaluru after you buy a resale flat or house, and how to avoid the usual delays.
Why Khata Transfer Matters
- Property tax is assessed and paid in the owner's name on the khata.
- Selling later needs a final e-khata in your name for the registration to go through.
- Utility transfers, building permissions and loans often ask for the khata.
- Disputes: if the civic record still shows the previous owner, sorting out any later issue is harder.
Before You Buy: Make Transfer Easy
The smoothest transfers are set up before registration. Before you sign the sale deed:
- Confirm the seller has a final e-khata in their own name, and that its details match the sale deed you are about to register.
- Check the register type (A or B). See A-khata vs B-khata.
- Check there are no tax arrears. Ask for the latest receipts.
- For apartments, confirm the e-khata is for the individual flat, not just the building.
Step-by-Step: Transferring the Khata
- Register the sale deed at the sub-registrar's office.
- Collect the documents: registered sale deed, the seller's e-khata, latest property tax receipt, encumbrance certificate, your ID and Aadhaar, and for apartments the occupancy certificate if requested.
- Apply on e-Aasthi for transfer of the e-khata into your name, completing Aadhaar e-KYC as the new owner.
- Pay the transfer fee online. It is commonly calculated as a percentage of the stamp duty paid on your purchase.
- Track the application. The officer may ask for clarification or an additional document.
- Download the updated e-khata in your name and check every detail.
- Pay property tax in your name from the applicable year.
In some cases, registration data flows to the e-khata system automatically after registration, but you should still check that the transfer has actually happened in your name, and complete it if not.
Documents Checklist
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Registered sale deed | Certified or scanned copy of the registered deed |
| Seller's final e-khata | Must match the sale deed details |
| Latest property tax receipt | No arrears |
| Encumbrance certificate | Showing your purchase registered |
| Buyer's ID and Aadhaar | For e-KYC |
| Occupancy certificate (apartments) | If requested |
| Power of attorney | If someone is applying on your behalf, for example if you are an NRI |
Fees and Timelines
The transfer fee is commonly cited as 2% of the stamp duty paid, with a minimum amount. Fees are revised from time to time, so check the current amount on the portal when you apply.
Straightforward transfers, where all documents match, can complete within a few weeks. Cases with mismatches, missing documents or older records take longer. Applications are processed online, but follow-up is often what moves a stuck file.
What Holds Transfers Up, and How to Fix It
Name mismatches
Spellings that differ between the sale deed, the seller's khata and ID documents. Fix: an affidavit and supporting ID, or a correction on the record before transfer.
Area mismatches
The area on the khata differs from the sale deed. Fix: an application for correction with supporting documents, sometimes a measurement.
The seller never transferred their own khata
If the seller bought the property but the khata still shows the person before them, that earlier transfer has to be completed first. Ask about this before you buy.
Tax arrears
Outstanding tax must be paid before the transfer completes. Negotiate who pays before registration.
No unit-wise khata for a flat
If the building's khata has not been split into individual flats, this needs to be done, usually through the association or developer.
For NRIs
You do not need to be in Bengaluru to transfer the khata. A person holding a specific power of attorney can apply on your behalf, though Aadhaar-based steps need planning. We handle transfers for NRI clients regularly as part of our liaison service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is khata transfer mandatory after buying a flat in Bangalore?
It is necessary to pay property tax in your name and to sell or deal with the authorities later. Without it, the civic record still shows the previous owner.
How much does khata transfer cost in Bangalore?
The fee is commonly cited as 2% of the stamp duty paid, with a minimum. Check the current fee on the e-Aasthi portal when you apply.
How long does khata transfer take?
Straightforward cases can complete within a few weeks. Mismatched or incomplete records take longer.
Can I apply for khata transfer online?
Yes. Transfers are handled through the e-khata system on e-Aasthi, with Aadhaar e-KYC for the new owner.
What if the seller's khata is still in the previous owner's name?
That earlier transfer has to be completed first. Check this before you buy, and make it a condition of the sale.
Khata transfer is a small step that causes big problems when it is skipped. If you would like us to handle it for you, see our liaison and approvals service or message me on WhatsApp.
Sources
- Homesok: E-khata Bangalore, apply online via e-Aasthi (2026)
- Sobha: Why e-khata is mandatory in Bangalore
- Karnataka e-Aasthi portal
Last updated Oct 1, 2026. Figures and rules change; check current details with a professional before you act.