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What Is 5A In the Encumbrance Certificate: Meaning, Issuance & Property Relevance
Published : July 30, 2025, 7:43 PM
Updated : August 29, 2025, 4:01 PM
Author :
Jessica
Table of Contents
When you are buying or selling a property, the Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is one of the most critical legal documents. It provides a history of all the registered financial and legal transactions related to a property for a specific period. While examining an EC, you might come across specific terms or column numbers like '5A'. This guide will answer the key question, ‘What is 5A in an encumbrance certificate?’, explaining that it typically refers to a column detailing the nature of any transaction, and what that means for the legal status of your property.
5A in Encumbrance Certificate - Quick information
Here is a quick summary of what the '5A' entry in an Encumbrance Certificate usually signifies, helping you decode your property documents with ease.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Column 5A in EC | This column describes the nature and value of any registered transaction (e.g., Sale, Mortgage, Gift, Lease). |
| Common In | Form 15 Encumbrance Certificates, which list all transactions for a period. |
| Meaning of 'NIL' Entry | If this column is empty or marked 'NIL' (on a Form 16 EC), it indicates no transactions were registered during the searched period. |
| Legal Risk with 'NIL' Entry | Very low, as it indicates a clean property with no registered burdens for the specified period. |
| When It Appears | The column heading '5A' appears on all ECs, but an entry is made under it only when a transaction has occurred. |
| Still Need Legal Check? | Yes, it is always wise to get a full legal check to verify the entire ownership history and check for unregistered claims. |
What Is ‘5A’ in an Encumbrance Certificate?
In the context of an Encumbrance Certificate issued in many Indian states, '5A' is not a status or a type of encumbrance itself. Instead, it is the standard identifier for a specific column within the EC document. This column is typically titled 'Nature and Value of Transaction,' and it provides a brief description of the legal or financial transaction that was registered.
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Understanding the ‘Form 15’ and ‘Form 16’ in EC
To understand column 5A, it is crucial to know the two types of Encumbrance Certificates issued by the Sub-Registrar's Office:
- Form 15: This is a detailed EC that is issued when there have been transactions registered against the property during the period for which the search was conducted. It will list all sales, mortgages, gifts, leases, and other registered deeds.
- Form 16: This is a 'Nil Encumbrance Certificate' (NEC). It is issued when there have been absolutely no registered transactions for the specified period. A Form 16 is what every property buyer hopes to see, as it indicates a clean title for that period.
What Does Entry 5A Mean in an Encumbrance Certificate?
Column 5A in the Encumbrance Certificate shows the type of registered transaction—like a Sale Deed (property sold) or Mortgage Deed (loan taken on property). If it's marked as "NIL," it means there were no transactions in that period—indicating a clean record.
When Will You See 5A in the Encumbrance Certificate?
You'll find column 5A on both Form 15 and Form 16. But only Form 15 shows actual entries like a sale or mortgage. In Form 16 (Nil EC), the column exists but stays empty or marked as "NIL."
Why Is It Important?
5A helps buyers, banks, or legal experts quickly understand if the property has any past sales, loans, or legal issues. It adds clarity and transparency to property history.
Is Entry 5A Good or Bad?
- Good: "NIL" means no financial or legal burden—great for buyers.
- Neutral: "Sale Deed" just shows ownership changed.
- Caution: Entries like "Mortgage" or "Lis Pendens" (legal case) should be checked carefully for any risks. Understanding such entries is key to avoiding future Property Disputes.
Sample EC Showing 5A Entry
To make it clearer, imagine a Form 15 EC as a table. A row describing a transaction would look something like this, showing what is 5A sale in the encumbrance certificate:
| S. No. | Document No. & Year | Date of Registration | Executant(s) | Claimant(s) | 5A: Nature & Value of Transaction | Property Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1234/2022 | 15-June-2022 | Mr. XYZ | Mrs. ABC | Sale Deed, Value: ₹50,00,000 | Flat No. 101, etc. |
How to Confirm What '5A' Stands For in Your Encumbrance Certificate?
If you have an EC and are unsure about an entry under column 5A, here are the steps you can take to get absolute clarity.
- Carefully read all the column headers printed on the EC document to understand the context.
- Note the document number from the EC and request a certified copy of that specific deed from the Sub-Registrar's Office.
- Consult an experienced property lawyer who can interpret the entries for you. You may need to choose the right property dispute lawyer if the entry indicates a problem.
- Use a professional legal service to conduct a thorough property title check and provide a detailed report on the property's history.
Check Encumbrance Certificate in Various States
- Encumbrance Certificate in Andhra Pradesh
- Encumbrance Certificate in Karnataka
- Encumbrance Certificate in Telangana
- Encumbrance Certificate in Tamilnadu
- Encumbrance Certificate in Bangalore
How NoBroker Can Help with Legal Services?
Decoding legal documents like an Encumbrance Certificate can be complex, especially with entries that may indicate hidden liabilities. NoBroker’s legal service experts can help you obtain and interpret your EC, investigate any transactions listed under column 5A, and provide a clear and comprehensive report on your property's legal status. This due diligence protects you from potential legal and financial risks, ensuring a secure property investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: A NIL or blank entry under column 5A, typically found on a Form 16 EC, means there were no registered transactions, like sales or mortgages for the property during the specified period.
Ans: No, it is not a problem. It is simply a historical record that the property was sold in the past. The buyer needs to examine that particular sale deed to ensure the ownership was transferred correctly.
Ans: While the exact column number or title can vary slightly between states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, the fundamental structure and purpose of recording the 'Nature of Transaction' remain the same.
Ans: This indicates that the property was legally divided among co-owners. You must examine the partition deed to understand how the shares were divided and to ensure you are buying from the rightful owner of a specific share.
Ans: Yes, a Form 16 (Nil Encumbrance Certificate) for a period of 13 to 30 years is a key document that banks require to process a home loan, as it indicates a clear registered title for that duration.
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