Last Updated on 9 months by ChennaiRealties
The Tamil Nadu Registration Department has revised the rules of using the Power of Attorney (PoA). These changes are effective from 1st Dec 2012.The purpose of these changes was to prevent misuse of powers of attorney. Also, it aims to plug loopholes in the existing practices.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document giving one person (the agent or attorney) the power to act for another person (the principal). That means a power of attorney authorizes a person to perform transactions on behalf of another. There are different types of POAs that fall broadly into two categories. They are either a general power of attorney or limited power of attorney.
Situations when a Power of Attorney is Useful
Power of attorney is a useful method in many property transactions.
For Joint Development of a Property
When the principal is willing to develop the property with the help of a promoter, the POA comes in handy. This is known as Joint Ventures. In such cases, the principal cannot rescind the POA deed.
For NRIs
Power of attorney is very useful for NRIs to buy or sell properties. When an NRI wants to buy a property in India through a POA, he or she need not give the property details in the POA. This is so because the description of the property will be known only after the property is identified.
Other situations when POA is useful
The power of attorney for the land registration process in India can also be used by an individual who is bedridden or ill. Also useful for an aged person with health problems. There may be other circumstances when an individual is unavailable to conduct the transactions.
Life Certificate
What does the new rule say? POA holders should submit proof to the sub-registrar that the principal is alive. For this, a registered medical practitioner or gazetted officer can issue a life certificate. These certificates are valid for 30 days only.The new rules are applicable to all POAs registered since February 4, 2013. By law, POA is not valid once the Principal dies. In Tamil Nadu, POA holders carry out many property transactions on the basis of POAs. It might be so to avoid payment of stamp duty and registration fees. There are many reports of POA holders selling a property after the death of the Principal. Buyers get into trouble when the Legal Heirs of the property owner claim rights over it. Such cases end up in protracted legal battles. Some times, the Courts declare the Sale Deeds as invalid.
Compulsory Registration of Power of Attorney Deeds
Registration of the POA Deed is compulsory if the POA is granted after 1.12.2012.
Power of attorney executed outside India
It’s clarified by the Registration Department that any Power of Attorney relating to immovable property executed outside India does not require compulsory registration. However, attestation by the Consulate Office is required. Consequently, further documents presented (based on such an unregistered power of attorney executed outside India) can be accepted for registration.
Where do I register the POA?
POA shall be presented in the SRO in whose jurisdictional area the property in whole or a portion of it is situated. Or, it can be registered in the SRO where the Principal ordinarily lives.
POA Registered Outside Tamilnadu
POAs registered in other states can also be used for the registration and execution of documents in Tamil Nadu. However, in such cases, the Registrar shall get written confirmation from the concerned SRO before proceeding with the registration.
Company/Partnership Firm/LLP
Authorising a person to execute and present a document on behalf of a company, partnership firm, or LLP by the partners or directors cannot be considered a power of attorney. Since all the partners and directors of the company, partnership firm, or LLP cannot execute a document, it becomes necessary for them to identify a suitable person to execute the document on behalf of the company, partnership firm, or LLP through a resolution or authorization. This resolution/authorization should be enclosed as part of the document.
A company, partnership firm, or LLP can be appointed as POA.
Can one sell his property without canceling the sale agreement?
Yes. Says the Madras High Court. Registration of a sale agreement, expressing willingness to sell a property to a particular person on receiving full payment in future, will not be a bar for the property owner to go ahead and sell or transfer the property to a third party without getting the sale agreement annulled through a civil court decree, the Madras High Court has ruled.
Supreme Court: No Transfer of Title Deed through POA
By a 2011 judgment, the Supreme Court made it clear, that property sales through the common practice of general power of attorney will not give ownership title to the buyer. Well, these were done, primarily, to avoid payment of stamp duty and registration fees on the sale deed, and to avoid payment of capital gains tax. These transactions have also paved the way for the “safe investment of black money.” “A POA is not an instrument of transfer in regard to any right, title, or interest in an immovable property,” the bench said, after interpreting various provisions of the law concerning property sales. However, the bench said the judgment would not affect “genuine transactions” under the GPA. “For example, a person may give a POA to his spouse, son, daughter, brother, sister, or a relative to manage his affairs or to execute a deed of conveyance.” The court further said that a person can enter into a development agreement with a land developer or builder for developing the land either by forming plots or by constructing apartment buildings. In that connection, he can execute an agreement of sale and grant a POA that will allow the developer to further sell the property to prospective purchasers.
Legal Status of Transaction Concluded Through Power of Attorney
Thus, while POA to avoid payment of Stamp Duty and parking of black money is discouraged, genuine transactions /sale made by the agent will be valid, is binding on the principal, and will convey a proper title to the purchaser(s).
Can POA appoint a sub-agent?
A power agent cannot appoint a sub-agent for the registration of documents. Consequently, such documents will not be accepted for registration.
Cancellation of Power of Attorney
A power of attorney executed can be cancelled. It should be done by registering a Deed of Cancellation. The cancellation deed will have to be registered by the same authority who registered the POA.
Disclaimer: The advice, views, and suggestions published on the website ChennaiRealties.in are for educational and informational purposes only. Readers are advised to do their own independent inquiries and consult professionals wherever necessary, for their specific requirements before relying on these information.-Edit
Also, read: The Encumbrance Certificate
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