What is LOD or List of Documents in Home Loan

When you take a home loan, you are required to submit various documents to the lender. These documents help the lender assess your eligibility and secure the loan. However, once the loan is sanctioned, the lender typically keeps the original property documents as collateral. If you wish to access these documents while repaying the loan, you may need to pay LOD charges.

But what is LOD in home loan? LOD stands for list of documents, and these are the documents that the lender holds for the duration of the loan. In the case of a home loan, LOD charges refer to the fee you must pay if you wish to obtain copies of these original documents before the loan is fully repaid.

Why do lenders hold original documents?

When you take a home loan, the property documents, such as the sale deed, title deed, and agreement, are kept by the lender as collateral. This ensures that the lender or financial institution has a claim over the property in case the borrower defaults on the loan. These documents serve as proof that the lender has an interest in the property and can take legal action to recover the loan if necessary.

While you repay your home loan EMIs, you will not have access to the original documents unless you request them. To ensure that the lender's interest in the property is protected, the lender will keep these documents in their custody.

How does LOD (list of documents) work in home loan?

The LOD in the context of home loans refers to the set of documents that the lender holds, which can include:

• Title deed
• Sale agreement
• Property tax receipts
• No-Objection Certificates (NOCs)
• Occupancy certificate

These documents are essential for establishing your ownership of the property and for securing the loan. As long as the loan is outstanding, these documents remain in the possession of the lender.

What are LOD charges in home loans?

When you need to access the original property documents during the loan tenure, you may have to pay LOD charges. These charges are levied by the lender to cover the cost of retrieving, verifying, and providing copies of the original documents.

For example, if you need the original title deed or sale agreement to prove ownership of the property for a personal or legal matter, you will have to pay LOD charges. These charges can vary depending on the lender and the type of loan, but they are generally a one-time fee that can range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000 or more, depending on the complexity and value of the documents.

When can you request the original documents?

You can request the original documents from the lender at any time during the repayment period of the home loan. However, this request will usually only be granted once you have completed all the necessary procedures and paid the LOD charges.

Here are some common reasons why you might need to request the original documents:

• Home loan balance transfer: If you are planning for a home loan balance transfer, the new lender will require the original property documents.
• Legal reasons: If you need the documents for any legal purposes, such as inheritance, dispute resolution, or property verification.
• Loan closure: If you have repaid your loan in full, you may need to obtain the original documents to complete the closure process.

How to request LOD documents from the lender?

If you want to get a copy of the original documents from the lender, here is what you need to do:

1. Write a request letter: Write a formal letter to your lender, requesting the original documents. Be sure to include your loan account number, property details, and the specific documents you need.

2. Pay the LOD charges: The lender will ask you to pay the LOD charges. The charges may vary, so it is important to clarify the cost upfront.

3. Submit required identification proof: You may be required to submit a government-issued ID (such as an Aadhaar card or passport) and a few other documents to confirm your identity.

4. Wait for processing: Once your request is processed, the lender will release the requested documents. Depending on the lender, this process could take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

What happens after you pay the LOD charges?

After you have paid the LOD charges, the lender will release the required documents to you, either as physical copies or as digital copies, depending on the lender’s policies. These documents are typically returned once you have fulfilled all your financial obligations.

If you are still in the process of repaying the loan, you may be asked to submit a security or guarantee to ensure that the documents are returned once the loan is fully paid off.

What happens when the loan is fully repaid?

Once the loan is fully repaid, the lender will release the original documents and return them to you without any charges. At this point, the lender no longer has a claim over the property, and you are free to use the documents as you wish. This is the point where you can take possession of all your property documents.

LOD charges are fees that you need to pay if you wish to access these documents during the loan tenure. While these charges are usually necessary, they can be avoided in some cases by using copies or ensuring that your loan is paid off.