You've registered the deed. But have you mutated the property? Without mutation, KMC doesn't recognise you as the owner. Here's why that matters.
Registration vs. Mutation: The Confusion
Many property buyers in Kolkata believe that once they have registered the sale deed at the Sub-Registrar's office, they are done. They are not. Registration establishes ownership under the Transfer of Property Act. Mutation establishes ownership in KMC's municipal records. Both are required.
What Happens Without Mutation
Without mutation, KMC continues to send property tax bills to the previous owner. If the previous owner doesn't pay (because they no longer own the property), the arrears accumulate against the property — and you, as the new owner, inherit the liability. When you eventually try to sell, the buyer's lawyer will flag the unmutated ownership and the deal may fall through.
The Mutation Process After Purchase
After purchasing a property, the mutation application is submitted to the relevant KMC borough office with: the registered sale deed; identity documents of the new owner; and the previous owner's property tax receipts (to establish that there are no outstanding arrears). The process typically takes 4–6 weeks.
Old Properties With Multiple Unmutated Transfers
In older parts of Kolkata, it is common to find properties that have changed hands two or three times without mutation being done at each stage. In these cases, we work through the chain of ownership, obtaining the necessary documents for each transfer, and submit a consolidated mutation application. This is complex but entirely resolvable.
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