Punjab Real Estate Glossary

A Letter of Intent (LOI) is a document issued by GMADA (or other development authorities) confirming that a specific plot has been allotted to you. It is not the final sale deed — that comes after infrastructure development and possession. However, LOIs are freely tradeable in the secondary market. When you "buy a plot in Aerotropolis" you are typically buying an LOI. The actual registry happens years later after the authority completes roads, utilities, and issues a possession letter.

Bayana is token advance money paid by a buyer to a seller to secure a property transaction. Once bayana is paid, both parties are committed to the deal. If the buyer backs out, they forfeit the bayana. If the seller backs out, they return double the bayana. In WhatsApp dealer groups, "BOOKED DEAL" typically means the broker has paid bayana to the original owner and is now marketing the property to find an end buyer.

When a broker posts "BOOKED DEAL" in a dealer group, it means: the broker has paid bayana (token money) to the original owner, secured the property, and is now marketing it to find an end buyer. The property is AVAILABLE for sale — not sold. The broker earns their margin between what they paid the owner and what they collect from the buyer. This is standard practice in Punjab property market.

Marla is the most commonly used land measurement unit in Punjab real estate. In Punjab, 1 Marla = 25 square yards (note: this differs from some other states where Marla = 30.25 sqyd). A standard residential plot in Mohali is typically 100, 150, 200, or 500 square yards — equal to 4, 6, 8, or 20 Marla respectively. Kanal = 20 Marla = 500 square yards.

Kanal is a larger land unit used in Punjab. 1 Kanal = 20 Marla = 500 square yards. Agricultural land and large residential plots (especially kothis) are often measured in Kanal. "1 Kanal kothi" means a house on a 500 sqyd plot — a premium property in Mohali.

25% Built does NOT mean the construction is incomplete. It means the plot owner has fulfilled the mandatory minimum construction requirement set by GMADA — which is 25% of the total permissible FAR (Floor Area Ratio). Once this minimum is done, the owner can apply for an Occupation Certificate (OC). This is a legal compliance milestone. A plot with 25% Built has higher value than a bare plot in some cases, as the owner has already fulfilled the authority's building obligation.

Intkal (also called Mutation) is the process of updating property ownership in the revenue records maintained by the Patwari (local revenue official). After a property is registered (sale deed signed), the buyer must apply for Intkal to update the ownership in government records. Without Intkal, the property officially still shows the old owner in revenue records even after registry. "Mutation Done" in a listing description means the ownership transfer is complete in all government records — a very positive signal.

Registry is the process of executing and registering a Sale Deed at the Sub-Registrar's office. This is the strongest form of title in Indian property law. When a property has "Registry Done", it means the sale deed has been executed in the presence of Sub-Registrar and registered in official records. Important note: In Punjab, the registry value (on which stamp duty is paid) is often lower than the actual market price — stamp duty is paid on government collector rates, not actual transaction price.

An NDC (No Dues Certificate) is issued by GMADA or the relevant authority confirming that all dues — maintenance charges, development charges, water/sewer connection charges — have been paid and there are no outstanding amounts. NDC is required before applying for possession, registry, or LOI transfer. "NDC in hand" is a positive signal in a listing.

CLU (Change of Land Use) is a permission granted by the state government to convert agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes (residential, commercial, industrial). Without CLU, agricultural land cannot be used for building houses or businesses. Many private townships in Mohali and its periphery are on CLU land. GMADA projects use land that GMADA itself acquires and develops — different from CLU.

Laal Lakeer (Red Line) refers to the demarcated boundary of a village abadi (settlement area) as recorded in revenue records. Land within Laal Lakeer has different rules from agricultural land — it can be used for construction without CLU. However, buying property inside Laal Lakeer requires careful title verification as records can be complex.

SCO (Shop-Cum-Office) is a commercial property format unique to the Chandigarh tricity. Typically ground floor is a shop and upper floors are offices. SCO plots are allotted by Chandigarh Administration, PUDA, GMADA and other bodies. They are highly prized commercial investments. SCO plots are measured in square yards and priced per square yard. A "25% share SCO" means you own 25% undivided share of the SCO plot.

EDC (External Development Charges) are fees collected by GMADA or PUDA for developing external infrastructure — main roads, water supply, sewerage, drainage outside the colony boundary. EDC is usually paid at the time of allotment or before possession. Outstanding EDC is a title risk — verify NDC before purchasing.

A freehold property gives the buyer complete, unlimited ownership of the land and any structure on it, in perpetuity. Most Mohali residential plots are freehold. The buyer gets full rights to sell, rent, construct, or mortgage the property. This is in contrast to leasehold, where you own the building but lease the land for a fixed period.

Plot facing refers to which direction the main road or entrance faces. Common facings in Mohali listings: East Facing, North Facing (vastu preferred), South Facing, West Facing, Main Road Facing (MRF — premium), Park Facing (premium), Corner Plot (premium). East and North facing plots command a 5–15% premium in the Punjab market due to vastu preference. Corner plots are premium due to extra open sides.