What is 'Natham' land? (And why it's sometimes missing online)
Living in the old village centre? Your land record may be different. A quick explainer on Natham settlements, the Natham survey, and Thoraya vs clean patta.
If your house is in the old core of a village, you may find your record doesn't look like a normal agricultural patta. That's usually because it's Natham land.
Natham Poramboke — residential settlement land
Natham (or Natham Poramboke) is land set aside for the residential settlement of a village — the houses and lanes of the village habitation, as opposed to the surrounding farmland.
The Natham survey
These settlement areas were systematically surveyed in a dedicated Natham survey carried out around 1989–1992, which is when many of today's Natham records were created.
Thoraya patta vs clean patta
In Natham areas you may come across a Thoraya (rough / provisional) patta versus a clean patta. A clean, settled patta is stronger proof of title, so it's worth confirming which one applies to a property.
Frequently asked questions
What is Natham land in Tamil Nadu?+
Natham (or Natham Poramboke) is land set aside for the residential settlement of a village — the houses and lanes of the village habitation, as opposed to the surrounding farmland. If your house is in the old core of a village, your record may not look like a normal agricultural patta because it is Natham land.
When was the Natham survey carried out?+
The settlement areas were systematically surveyed in a dedicated Natham survey carried out around 1989–1992, which is when many of today's Natham records were created.
What is the difference between a Thoraya patta and a clean patta?+
In Natham areas you may come across a Thoraya (rough / provisional) patta versus a clean patta. A clean, settled patta is stronger proof of title, so it's worth confirming which one applies to a property.
Why is my Natham land record not available online?+
Because Natham records came from a separate survey, they aren't always available through the same online flow as regular survey numbers — sometimes you'll need the local survey office.