Which documents should I check before buying a house, plot or apartment in Bangladesh?

Check the seller’s identity, chain of title, land-record entries, the relevant land-record document, current land-tax receipts, mutation records, a twelve-year encumbrance search, boundaries and access. For apartments, also check approved plans, agreements between the developer and landowner, the power of attorney, and completion or occupancy evidence.

How can I secure a residential tenancy contractually in Bangladesh?

A written agreement should cover the dwelling, term, rent, advance payment or deposit, notice period, utilities, repairs, subletting, guests and handover. Retain payment receipts and check the landlord’s or agent’s authority; the 1991 rent-control law may impose additional limits on premium payments and advance rent in covered premises.

Which authorities are responsible for housing, land records and building permits in Bangladesh?

The authority is responsible for public housing and land projects; the land ministry and the local land officer (Assistant Commissioner (Land)) handle land records and mutation; and the deeds registry office (Sub-Registry or District Registry) handles deed registration and searches. RAJUK or the relevant regional development authority handles land use and construction, while municipalities, utility providers and fire-safety bodies have further local responsibilities.

Which safety risks should I check before moving into an apartment or house in Bangladesh?

Check structural safety, the approved building plan, escape routes, fire-service access, electrical and gas hazards, water, sanitation and drainage. Depending on the location, also consider flooding, waterlogging, heat, cyclones, river erosion or landslides; in densely built cities, fire and escape-route safety are especially important.

Housing in Bangladesh

Housing in Bangladesh includes home ownership, renting, shared accommodation and informal housing. Around 80.79% of households own their home; renting is much more common in cities than in rural areas. Access, safety, costs and rights depend heavily on location, documentation and whether the arrangement is formal or informal.

Tip

Choose the housing arrangement according to legal security, available documentation, ongoing costs and the risks of the specific location. Treat oral promises, informal use and unclear ownership as unresolved risks until the contract, evidence and responsibilities have been checked. Before moving in, documented handover, safe utilities and a habitable building are essential.

byAyesha&Rahim

Bangladesh has major differences between rural areas, Dhaka and other cities, and formal and informal settlements. Common terms include house or dwelling (bari or basha), shared accommodation (mess), informal settlement (bosti or slum) and basic makeshift shelter (jhupri). According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, 80.79% of households owned their home. In cities, the ownership share was 55.62%, while 34.70% rented and also owned a home; in rural areas, the ownership share was 92.32%. Housing in Bangladesh is accessed through private landlords and agents, family, employers, shared accommodation, land purchase and self-building, developers, or project-based programmes of the national housing authority (National Housing Authority). The authority may allocate homes and plots through project-based tenders, applications, selection procedures or lotteries; there is no uniform nationwide entitlement to public housing. The state housing finance corporation (Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation) and commercial banks may offer financing, but lending decisions depend, among other things, on the chain of title, income, identity documents, tax records, mutation, and approved building documents. Before buying, check the seller’s identity, the chain of title, land-record entries (Khatian or Porcha), the relevant land-record document (DCR), current land-tax receipts, the mutation record (Namjari or Mutation), a twelve-year search for encumbrances, and boundaries and access. Ownership is transferred through a registered deed; afterwards, the mutation record should be updated. For apartments, the review should additionally cover the agreement with the developer and landowner, a power of attorney, approved plans, permitted use, evidence of completion or occupancy, and arrangements for common areas and utility connections. For a tenancy, a written agreement should state the dwelling, term, rent, advance payment or deposit, notice period, utilities, repairs, subletting, guests, inventory and handover. The landlord or agent should prove their authority; payments and receipts should be retained. The rent-control law (Premises Rent Control Act of 1991) limits, among other things, premium payments and advance rent exceeding one month’s rent in covered premises, unless the responsible Controller consents or a statutory exception applies. Practical enforcement nevertheless depends on location, the contract and the available evidence. Construction and use require permits from the relevant development authority, such as Dhaka’s development authority, RAJUK, or another regional authority, depending on the area. Before moving in, check an approved plan, a building permit and, where required, an occupancy certificate. The Bangladesh National Building Code, together with fire-safety, structural and sanitation requirements, provides a technical basis. Before use, also check exits, fire-service access, electrical and gas hazards, drainage, water supply and possible flooding. Electricity, water, sanitation, cooking gas, waste collection and drainage vary by location and settlement. For shared or informal connections, clarify meters, billing, arrears, service charges and responsibility for repairs expressly. Flooding, waterlogging, heat, cyclones, river erosion and landslides affect the suitability of a location; in densely populated cities, fire, escape-route and structural hazards are additional concerns. At move-in, document the handover, inventory, meter readings, keys, and rent and deposit payments. The end of a tenancy depends on the contract, applicable rental law and local practice. After a change of ownership, retain the deed, land records, mutation records, tax receipts, permits and payment evidence. Informal residents often have weaker documentation and a higher risk of displacement or eviction; programmes for disaster shelters, repairs or relocation are usually project- and location-specific.