When buying land in Tamil Nadu, verifying ownership is only half the work. The other half is ensuring the boundaries, measurements, and survey details match the seller’s claims.
That’s where two major documents come in:
- FMB Sketch (Field Measurement Book — rural areas)
- TSLR Extract (Town Survey Land Register — urban areas)
This guide from LandsNDeeds explains what they are, how to access them, and why verifying them protects you from boundary fraud and encroachment issues.
What Is an FMB Sketch?
The Field Measurement Book (FMB) sketch is a survey map maintained by the Survey & Settlement Department.
It shows:
- Survey number wise (North direction)
- Exact dimensions of the land
- Boundary lines
- Adjacent survey numbers
- North direction
- Sub-division details
Where FMB is used:
- Agricultural land mainly
- Village / rural lands
- Large layouts before conversion
It’s the most authoritative map that proves whether the physical land matches the official survey.
What Is a TSLR Extract?
The Town Survey Land Register (TSLR) extract applies to urban areas.
It contains:
- Plot number / town survey number
- Type of land (residential, commercial, institutional)
- Extent (square meters)
- Ownership entry
- Ward & block information
TSLR plays the same role as Patta and sketch as FMB but for city/municipal zones.
Why FMB & TSLR Are Crucial for Land Buyers
Many buyers only check Patta or EC — but fraud happens most commonly through boundary manipulation, not ownership documents.
FMB / TSLR reveals:
- Whether the seller is showing more land than they legally own
- Hidden encroachment into land
- Subdivision mismatches (very common fraud)
- Exact, legally recorded dimensions
- Whether the plot sold exists exactly as described
Ignoring these documents may lead to:
- Encroachment disputes
- Loss of land due to wrong boundaries
- Demolition notices (if on government land)
- Disputes with neighbours about extent
How to Download FMB Sketch or TSLR Extract Online
Step-by-Step:
Step 1: Check the Tamil Nadu E-Services Portal
(https://eservices.tn.gov.in/eservicesnew/home/)
Step 2: Select “View Patta/Chitta & A-Register Extract”
Step 3: Choose District → Taluk → Village
Step 4: Enter Survey Number / Sub-Division
Step 5: Select “FMB” or “TSLR” (the portal shows whichever applies)
Step 6: View & Download
You can now view:
- Boundary map
- Field measurements
- Sub-division pattern
- Extent & length/width
(Download and save the PDF)
How to Read an FMB Sketch (Simple Breakdown)
Key elements include:
- Survey Number – mother plot identifier
- Sub-Division – separated parts of the land
- Extent – total area (Acre/Cent/Sq.ft)
- Linear Measurements – each side’s length
- Angle & Direction – boundary directions
- Adjacency – neighboring survey numbers
A mismatch in any of these is a red flag.
Common Red Flags in FMB / TSLR
Be alert if you notice:
- Subdivision shown in FMB but not in Patta
- Land size smaller than what seller claims
- Patta owner name does not match TSLR details
- FMB missing for newly converted plots
If you spot any of these, stop the deal until verification is done.
Why You Should Not Rely on Brokers or Owners Alone
Most land disputes in Tamil Nadu (especially Coimbatore, Erode, Chennai outskirts) happen due to:
- Fake layout maps
- Boundary alteration
- Owners selling more than their survey extent
- Brokers showing wrong FMB copies
Only the official survey FMB/TSLR is valid — not hand-drawn sketches.
How Lands N Deeds Helps You Verify Survey Records
Our verification includes:
- Downloading official FMB / TSLR
- Checking if Patta, EC & FMB and TSLR all match
- Physical boundary comparison (when required)
- Identifying encroachments or illegal subdivisions
- Giving a full due-diligence report with all findings
With experts including former survey and Registration officers, our verification gives 100% clarity before you buy.
Final info
- FMB Sketch and TSLR Extract are not optional documents — they are the foundation of safe land buying.
- Use this guide to understand and verify them, or let Lands N Deeds handle the process for you.
Want your FMB / TSLR verified professionally?
Contact LandsNDeeds today – get a full verification report in 48 hours.
For all assistance Contact : 0422 – 4359777, 70105 92827, 99449 92530.
Visit our website: https://landsndeeds.com/
