How to Check if a Housing Society or Plot Is Approved (CDA, LDA, RDA)

Step-by-step check

1. 1
   Identify the authority

   Islamabad: CDA. Lahore: LDA. Rawalpindi: RDA. Other cities have their own development authority or district administration.

2. 2
   Check the approved list

   Search for the exact society name and phase on the authority's approved schemes page. Watch for similar names.

3. 3
   Check the illegal list

   Authorities also publish illegal or unapproved schemes. One phase of a society can be approved while another is not.

4. 4
   Match the paperwork

   Ask the society for the approval letter and the approved layout plan, and confirm that your plot number appears on that plan.

5. 5
   Verify the plot itself

   Use the society's office or official portal, and for Islamabad, CDA's online property verification service.

Which authority covers which city

For Karachi, Faisalabad and Multan we couldn't confirm official online scheme lists when we checked, so there are no links here. Ask the society for its approval letter, then confirm it in person at the relevant authority's office.

How to check LDA-approved societies

On LDA's website, under Quick Services, you'll find two pages: LDA Approved Schemes and Illegal Schemes. Search the society's exact name. Builders love launching an "Extension" or "Phase 2" that the original approval never covered, so check the phase too.

What if a society is not LDA approved?

Society on an illegal list? Or on no list at all? Then don't count on the authority to stand behind your plot. Development, utilities and building plan approval can all get blocked. Ask for the approval letter and confirm it with the authority before a single rupee changes hands. We've seen families lose years of savings this way.

How to check CDA plot status online

CDA has an Initial Property Verification Service (IPVS) that produces a Property Verification Report. You'll need to register an account. CDA itself says the report is based on publicly available information and doesn't replace the official record. Its guidance also warns about plots sold beyond a scheme's approved area, mortgaged plots and amenity plots being misused. Source: CDA IPVS (checked October 2026).

CDA also puts up public notices when it seals the offices of illegal schemes. In October 2026 its homepage had several of these for Zone 4 schemes.

Land records in Punjab

Land outside a society, say agricultural or village land, is a separate system. Punjab's land records are on punjab-zameen.gov.pk (checked October 2026).

NOC, approval and layout plan: the difference

Red flags

Worked example: a "Phase 2" plot near Raiwind Road

A dealer offers you a 5 marla plot in "Green Valley Phase 2" (a made-up name) off Raiwind Road, Lahore. The brochure says "LDA approved" in big letters. Here's how the check plays out.

1. Open LDA approved schemes (checked October 2026) and search "Green Valley". It's there. But only Phase 1.
2. Now try LDA illegal schemes (checked October 2026). No Phase 2 there either. Missing from both lists doesn't mean it's safe.
3. Ask the society office for the LDA approval letter covering Phase 2, plus the approved layout plan. All they can show you is the Phase 1 letter.
4. Verdict: Phase 2 has no approval you can confirm. Don't pay a token. If it gets approved later, it'll show up on LDA's list, and you can buy then.

This is the trap people fall into most in Lahore and Rawalpindi. A society gets its first phase approved, then sells an extension under the same name. Buyers spot the name on the approved list and stop looking. Don't stop. Check the phase, every time.

Checking a plot in Islamabad: CDA sectors vs private schemes

CDA sectors like G-13 or I-8 are planned and developed by CDA itself. There, your check is about the specific plot and its transfer record with CDA. For private schemes in Zones 2, 4 or 5, first find the scheme on CDA private housing schemes (checked October 2026), then make sure it's not on CDA illegal housing schemes (checked October 2026).

CDA's online CDA IPVS (checked October 2026) gives you a Property Verification Report once you've registered. CDA says it's based on publicly available information and doesn't replace the official record. Use it as a first filter, then do the final check at CDA's office or the society's.

Questions to ask the society office

• Which authority approved the scheme? What's the approval letter number and date?
• Does that approval cover this block or phase?
• Is my plot number on the approved layout plan? Residential or commercial?
• Who's the registered owner, and what dues are outstanding?
• Is the block mortgaged with the authority?

Get the answers in writing, on the society's letterhead, before you pay anything. A genuine society office handles these questions every day and won't be offended.

Other cities

We couldn't confirm official online scheme lists for Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan or Peshawar in October 2026, so we don't link any. In those cities, get the approval letter from the society and take it to the relevant authority's office yourself. Ignore lists forwarded on WhatsApp or Facebook groups. Half of them are years old.

What next? Work out the real size with our marla converter. If the plot's on instalments, read file vs possession. Then browse plots and land on QuickSell. Selling a plot in an approved society? List it free and mention the approval in the ad.