1070+ property terms explained in plain words: RERA, land records (Fard, Jamabandi, 7/12, Patta), documents, law, tax, finance and state-specific vocabulary. Each term has its legal basis, an Indian example and a tip for agents.
Reviewed 16 October 2026 · 1073 terms · 14 topics
A written statement confirmed on oath before a notary or magistrate. It is often used for name change, lost documents and declarations.
Example: A seller submits an affidavit that a lost original sale deed has not been mortgaged.
Agent tip: An affidavit is not a title document. Use it only to support other proofs.
Related: Indemnity Bond Notary
Also called: BBA
The agreement between a promoter and an allottee in a RERA project that sets out price, payment plan, area, possession date, specifications and remedies. It is signed after booking and before the sale deed.
Legal basis: Section 13 of the RERA Act, 2016. The promoter must use the form prescribed in the state RERA rules.
Example: Mr. Verma signs a builder-buyer agreement for a 2 BHK after paying 10% of the price, as RERA permits.
Agent tip: Read the clauses on possession date, delay interest, cancellation and changes to the plan. Compare them with the state's model agreement.
Related: Builder-Buyer Agreement Possession Date Delay Interest
A document in which an owner and a tenant agree to sign a lease on stated terms in future. It fixes rent, term and deposit in advance, and in some cases, it also gives the tenant a period for fitting out before rent begins.
Example: A clinic owner in Chandigarh signs an agreement to lease a first-floor space and pays a deposit, with the lease to be registered once the fire clearance arrives.
Agent tip: State the date by which the lease has to be signed and what happens to the deposit if the owner or the tenant backs out.
Related: Lease Deed Letter of Intent (LoI) Security Deposit Lessor
Also called: Bainama, Sale Agreement, Agreement of Sale
A contract in which the seller agrees to sell and the buyer agrees to buy at an agreed price on fixed terms. It does not itself transfer ownership. That happens only at registration of the sale deed.
Legal basis: Transfer of Property Act, 1882. Section 53A can protect a buyer in possession only if the agreement itself is registered, because Section 17(1A) of the Registration Act, 1908 denies effect to an unregistered one.
Example: A seller signs an agreement to sell with a buyer and takes 20% of the price. The title stays with the seller until the sale deed is registered.
Agent tip: Make sure the ATS mentions the exact date for the sale deed and who bears the stamp duty.
Related: Sale Deed Earnest Money Part Performance
A letter from a developer confirming that a specific unit is allotted to a buyer after booking. It is usually the first formal document in the builder-buyer relationship.
Example: A buyer pays the booking amount and receives an allotment letter naming Tower B, flat 1204.
Agent tip: Keep it safe. In disputes it proves the unit, price and date of booking.
Related: Booking Amount Agreement for Sale Application Form (Booking Form)
A certificate that authenticates a document for use in another country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. India is a party, and the Ministry of External Affairs issues apostilles for Indian documents.
Example: An NRI in the UK signs a POA there and gets it apostilled before sending it to India.
Agent tip: Where a POA is signed abroad, check the requirements for authentication and stamping when it reaches India.
Related: Power of Attorney (POA) NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Notary
The form a buyer signs and submits with the booking amount when applying for a unit in a project. It records unit preferences, price and terms at the time of booking.
Example: A buyer fills a booking form for a 3 BHK with a cheque for ₹5 lakh.
Agent tip: Never pay a booking amount without receiving the stamped receipt and a copy of the form.
Related: Booking Amount Allotment Letter
A statement from the developer that breaks down carpet area, balcony area, common area share and total saleable area for a unit.
Example: The area statement shows 920 sq ft carpet, 80 sq ft balcony and 250 sq ft common share.
Agent tip: Ask for it before booking, and check that the carpet area matches the RERA registration.
Related: Carpet Area Super Built-Up Area Loading Factor
Also called: Witness, Gawah
A person who sees a document being signed and also signs it as witness. For a registered deed, witnesses and identifiers help prove identity and execution if the document is later challenged.
Example: In a Jalandhar gift deed, two neighbours sign as witnesses after seeing the donor sign, and the sub-registrar notes their identity.
Agent tip: Choose witnesses who know the signatory and will be reachable later. Avoid strangers brought only for the day.
Related: Sale Deed Registration (Property) Sub-Registrar Affidavit
Also called: BBA
The common name for the agreement for sale between a developer and a homebuyer. Under RERA it must follow the format prescribed by the state.
Example: A buyer finds that the builder's old agreement lets him cancel with 20% forfeiture, while the RERA format limits one-sided clauses.
Agent tip: If a buyer is offered an agreement that differs from the state's prescribed format, flag it before signing.
Related: Agreement for Sale Allottee Promoter
A document used to cancel an earlier registered instrument. A party generally cannot cancel a registered sale deed alone, and a court order may be needed if the other side does not agree.
Example: A buyer and seller mutually cancel a registered agreement through a cancellation deed and refund.
Agent tip: Warn clients that a unilateral cancellation is unsafe. Registered deeds are not cancelled by a notice.
Related: Sale Deed Registration (Property)
Also called: Certified True Copy, Nakal
A copy of a registered document or a public record that is issued by the office holding it, such as the sub-registrar, and bears a seal and certification. It is accepted as proof when the original is lost or kept elsewhere.
Example: A buyer in Indore does not have the old deed, so he applies for a certified copy from the registrar's office for the seller's earlier purchase.
Agent tip: A photocopy is not enough. For the earlier deeds in a chain, ask for certified copies from the registrar.
Related: Sub-Registrar Link Documents Registration (Property) Index II
Also called: Freehold Conversion Deed
A deed signed with the authority, such as the Delhi Development Authority, that converts leasehold property into freehold on payment of the stated charges. It gives the owner a stronger title and makes the sale and loan easier.
Example: Sunita pays the conversion charges for her old DDA flat in Delhi and gets a registered conversion deed. Her buyer's bank then accepts the flat as freehold.
Agent tip: A conversion letter is not enough. The deed must be registered, and the sub-registrar record should show it.
Related: Leasehold Property Freehold Property Lease Deed Delhi Development Authority (DDA)
The deed by which a promoter or society transfers title in the land and building to the owners. In a RERA project the promoter must complete conveyance within a fixed period after the occupancy certificate.
Legal basis: Section 17 of the RERA Act, 2016: conveyance within three months of the occupancy certificate, where no local law provides otherwise.
Example: After the tower is occupied, the builder must execute the conveyance deed in favour of the society.
Agent tip: Remind the society to follow up. A society that never gets its conveyance cannot deal freely with its land.
Related: Deemed Conveyance Occupancy Certificate (OC) Sale Deed
Also called: Statement of Account, Account Statement
A builder's account statement for a buyer, showing every demand raised, payment received, interest charged and balance due. Buyers compare it with the agreement's payment plan to catch errors before possession.
Example: Before taking possession in Greater Noida, Anil asks for his ledger and finds a charge for car parking that was not in his agreement.
Agent tip: Ask for the ledger every quarter and before the final payment. Compare each entry with the payment plan and receipts.
Related: Payment Plan Demand Letter No Dues Certificate Possession Letter
An official certificate of a person's death issued by the local registrar of births and deaths. It is the first document needed when property passes to heirs, whether by will, succession or mutation.
Example: When Mr. Gill dies in Ludhiana, his sons first obtain a death certificate before they apply for mutation of his plot.
Agent tip: Name and spelling must match across the death certificate, title documents and ID. Fix errors early.
Related: Legal Heir Certificate Succession Certificate Mutation Probate
Also called: Surrender of Lease, Lease Surrender Deed
A deed by which a lessee or tenant gives up the lease and returns the premises to the landlord. It ends the lease on a recorded date and records any dues settled. A lease of more than a year is surrendered through a registered deed.
Example: A company in Pune ends a five-year office lease early, and the landlord and company sign a deed of surrender that also records the refund of the security deposit.
Agent tip: Include a handover date, a statement of dues and a clause that no claims remain. Keep a signed copy of the key handover.
Related: Lease Deed Lessor Lessee Security Deposit
A written request from a developer for payment of an instalment as per the payment plan. In a construction-linked plan it states the stage reached.
Example: A developer sends a demand letter when the 8th floor slab is completed.
Agent tip: Check that the stage claimed has been reached before paying. Ask for the engineer's certificate if in doubt.
Also called: DPA, Development Agreement Power of Attorney
A power of attorney given by a landowner to a developer so that the developer can obtain approvals, build and sell units in a project. It is usually tied to a development agreement, and it should be registered and clearly limited.
Example: A Kharar landowner signs a development agreement and a registered power of attorney for the builder, authorising sanctions but not the sale of his remaining plot.
Agent tip: Read its scope carefully. A broad, irrevocable power can give a developer more control than the landowner intended.
Related: Joint Development Agreement (JDA) Power of Attorney (POA) Special Power of Attorney (SPA) Promoter
The version of an agreement circulated for review before signing. A buyer is entitled to read and negotiate it.
Example: A buyer asks for a draft of the agreement for sale a week before the signing date.
Agent tip: Advise clients to get it checked by a lawyer. Do not let them sign at the builder's office in one sitting.
Also called: Non-Encumbrance Certificate
A certificate from the Sub-Registrar showing registered transactions and charges on a property for a stated period. It reveals mortgages and other registered liens.
Example: A buyer obtains an EC for 30 years and finds an old mortgage that was never released.
Agent tip: Obtain it for at least 13 to 30 years where possible, and check that every charge has been closed.
Related: Encumbrance Sub-Registrar Due Diligence
A system for paying stamp duty electronically, run in most states through the Stock Holding Corporation of India or state agencies. The certificate has a unique number that can be verified online.
Example: A buyer pays ₹3.5 lakh in stamp duty through an e-stamp certificate before the sale deed.
Agent tip: Verify the certificate number on the official site before registration.
Related: Stamp Duty Stamp Paper Registration (Property)
A deed by which two persons swap properties, each giving up one for the other. It is registered, with stamp duty charged on the value of the property, and each party becomes owner of what they receive.
Example: Two neighbours in Panchkula exchange adjoining plots to straighten their boundaries, and they sign a registered exchange deed.
Agent tip: Even if values are equal, duty is still payable under the state's rule. Check the stamp duty before signing.
Related: Sale Deed Stamp Duty Registration (Property) Title Deed
Also called: Family Arrangement, Memorandum of Family Settlement
A written arrangement among family members to settle claims over joint or ancestral property peacefully, and often recorded in a memorandum. Courts generally favour such settlements if they are fair, voluntary and made to end a dispute.
Example: Three brothers in Jaipur sign a family settlement to divide their father's shop and house, then record it with a registered deed.
Agent tip: Ask that the family settlement be on proper stamp paper and registered if it creates rights over immovable property. An unregistered document can be refused in a land dispute.
Related: Partition Deed Release Deed Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) Settlement Deed
Also called: Vanshavali, Family Tree Affidavit, Pedigree Table
A written chart or affidavit listing all legal heirs of a deceased owner and their relationships, used in mutation, inheritance and sale of inherited land. Revenue offices in many states ask for it, often signed by the heirs and verified by the village head.
Example: After a farmer's death near Rohtak, the family submits a signed family tree with the mutation application, listing his widow, two sons and a married daughter.
Agent tip: Make sure every heir is listed. A missing heir can later challenge the sale.
Related: Legal Heir Certificate Mutation Intestate Succession Affidavit
A drawing showing the layout and dimensions of rooms in a unit, as approved by the competent authority.
Example: A buyer compares the brochure floor plan with the sanctioned floor plan and finds a smaller balcony.
Agent tip: Always compare with the sanctioned plan, not the sales brochure.
Related: Sanctioned Plan Carpet Area
A POA giving broad authority to act in many matters for the principal. For property, buyers should be careful. A GPA sale does not transfer title.
Legal basis: The Supreme Court in Suraj Lamp and Industries v. State of Haryana (2011) held that GPA sales and similar arrangements do not transfer ownership.
Example: A seller offers a flat through a registered GPA. The buyer insists on a registered sale deed in the seller's name.
Agent tip: Do not recommend GPA-based purchases. They carry title, stamp duty and tax risks.
Related: GPA Sale Power of Attorney (POA) Sale Deed
Also called: Hibbanama, Dan Patra
A document by which an owner transfers property to another person without payment. A gift of immovable property must be in writing, signed and registered, and the donee must accept it.
Legal basis: Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (Sections 122 and 123).
Example: A father gifts a flat to his son through a registered gift deed. Stamp duty rates for gifts to close relatives are lower in many states.
Agent tip: Check the family-relation concessions in the state stamp law. Tax treatment differs for gifts from relatives.
Related: Registration (Property) Stamp Duty Will
The set of papers a bank asks for when giving a home loan, covering the borrower's identity, income and the property's title and approvals. Having them ready cuts the time from application to disbursement.
Example: Nisha in Bengaluru prepares her salary slips, bank statements, ID, the builder's allotment letter and title documents before applying for a loan.
Agent tip: Give your client a one-page checklist at the start. Missing property documents, such as a sanctioned plan, are the most common cause of delays.
Related: Home Loan Sanction Letter Disbursement Legal Title Report
A document in which a party promises to compensate another for loss that arises from a specified risk, such as a missing original document.
Example: A bank asks the seller to give an indemnity bond if the original allotment letter is lost.
Agent tip: Use an indemnity only as a stop-gap. If the original is missing, look for a certified copy first.
Related: Affidavit Title Deed
Also called: Know Your Customer Documents, ID and Address Proof
The identity and address documents that a buyer, seller, tenant or borrower gives so that a bank, registrar or builder can verify who they are. Common ones are PAN, Aadhaar and a passport or voter card.
Example: At the sub-registrar office in Zirakpur, the seller's PAN and Aadhaar are checked against the names in the deed before registration.
Agent tip: Make sure the name in each KYC document is the same as in the deed. A spelling difference can delay registration.
Related: Registration (Property) Sale Deed Affidavit Sub-Registrar
A document recording a lease of immovable property for a defined period at agreed rent or premium. A lease of more than one year must be registered.
Legal basis: Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (Section 105) and Registration Act, 1908 (Section 17).
Example: A 9-year lease of a showroom with a 5% annual rent increase is signed as a registered lease deed.
Agent tip: For commercial leases, check lock-in, escalation, notice, security deposit and fit-out terms.
Related: Lessor Lessee Leasehold Property Escalation Clause
Also called: Leave and License
An arrangement in which an owner permits another person to use the property for a fixed term without creating a tenancy. It is widely used in Maharashtra and for 11-month agreements.
Legal basis: Section 52 of the Indian Easements Act, 1882. In Maharashtra, such agreements are also governed by the state's rent control law.
Example: An owner in Pune signs an 11-month leave and license agreement with an IT employee.
Agent tip: In Maharashtra, Section 55 of the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999 makes a written, registered agreement compulsory for a leave and licence, and the owner is responsible. A short term does not remove this.
Related: Rent Agreement Lessor Licensee
A lawyer's written opinion on whether the seller has a clear and marketable title, based on a review of documents, searches and records.
Example: A bank's panel lawyer issues a title report before approving a home loan on an under-construction flat.
Agent tip: Suggest a title search to buyers of plots and resale flats. Review the report for any conditions.
Related: Due Diligence Link Documents Litigation Check
A document in which one party states its intention to enter a deal, such as to buy or lease premises, on broad terms. It is usually not final, though parts of it can bind if the document says so. It is common in commercial leasing.
Example: A retail brand sends a letter of intent to a mall owner in Gurugram for a 2,000 square foot shop, subject to a lease agreement.
Agent tip: State clearly whether the letter is binding. Add the date by which the full lease must be signed.
Related: Offer Letter Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Agreement to Lease Lease Deed
Also called: Link Document, Chain of Title
The chain of earlier title documents that connect the current owner back through earlier transactions to a source of title. A complete chain shows an unbroken history of ownership.
Example: A plot's seller shows a 2019 sale deed, but there is no document linking the previous owner to the original allottee. The chain is broken.
Agent tip: A missing link is a red flag. Ask a lawyer to review the chain before the booking amount is paid.
Related: Title Deed Title Legal Title Report
Also called: Loan Closure Letter, Loan Foreclosure Letter
A letter from a bank or lender confirming that a loan has been repaid in full and no amount is due. It goes with the release of the original property documents and the removal of the lender's charge on the property.
Example: Before selling her Noida flat, Pooja collects the loan closure letter and the original agreement from her bank, so the buyer can check the charge is removed.
Agent tip: After closure, make sure the lender's charge is removed from CERSAI and the registrar's record, not only from its own books.
Related: No Dues Certificate Mortgage CERSAI Foreclosure
An agreement under which a society, builder or facility manager provides maintenance of common areas for a fee.
Example: A builder signs a three-year maintenance agreement before the society takes over.
Agent tip: Check the charges, the corpus fund and what happens when the builder hands over.
Related: Society Charges Corpus Fund Common Area
Also called: MODTD, Memorandum of Entry
A short document recording that a borrower has handed the original title deeds to a lender as security for a loan. It creates an equitable mortgage and is used in states where it is recognised. The lender holds the deeds until the loan is cleared.
Example: A shop owner in Surat deposits the original papers with a bank and signs a memorandum that records the deposit date and loan amount.
Agent tip: When buying a property, ask whether the seller's originals are with a lender. A buyer cannot get the originals until the loan is repaid.
Related: Equitable Mortgage Mortgage Deed Loan Against Property (LAP) CERSAI
A preliminary document that records the broad terms agreed between parties. It may or may not be binding, depending on its wording.
Example: A landowner and developer sign an MoU on revenue sharing before a detailed development agreement.
Agent tip: Do not treat an MoU as a sale. Check what the document says about binding effect.
Related: Joint Development Agreement (JDA) Agreement to Sell (ATS)
A document by which a borrower pledges immovable property to a lender as security for a loan. Types include simple mortgage, mortgage by deposit of title deeds, English mortgage and others.
Legal basis: Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (Section 58 and following).
Example: A bank asks the buyer to deposit the original title documents as security, creating an equitable mortgage.
Agent tip: Always check whether the property is already mortgaged. A registered mortgage appears in the encumbrance certificate, but a mortgage by deposit of title deeds may not. Also check CERSAI and ask the bank for confirmation.
Related: Mortgage Equitable Mortgage Encumbrance Certificate (EC)
A certificate from a developer, society or utility confirming that all dues such as maintenance, electricity and water charges have been paid up to a date.
Example: Before the sale deed is signed, the seller produces a no dues certificate from the society.
Agent tip: Ask for it from the society, the electricity board and the municipality before you close a resale.
Related: Society Charges Property Tax No Objection Certificate (NOC)
A document from a person or authority stating that they have no objection to a proposed action, such as a sale, mortgage, construction or transfer.
Example: A resale flat in a society needs an NOC from the society, and sometimes from the bank that holds the mortgage.
Agent tip: Collect all the NOCs at the start of a deal. Missing NOCs cause delays at registration.
Related: No Dues Certificate Co-operative Housing Society Mortgage
A legally authorised person who attests documents and administers oaths. Notarisation proves identity and signing but does not prove ownership or validity of title.
Example: A rent agreement is notarised, but a notary stamp does not make a sale deed valid.
Agent tip: Do not accept a notarised paper in place of a registered deed.
Related: Affidavit Apostille Registration (Property)
A document from a developer or seller that sets out the price, payment plan and terms of a proposed deal before the buyer commits.
Example: A developer emails an offer letter with a price sheet that is valid for 15 days.
Agent tip: Treat it as a proposal. Compare it with the agreement for sale, since terms often change.
Related: Allotment Letter Basic Sale Price (BSP)
Also called: Batwara, Batwara Deed
A document by which co-owners divide a jointly held property among themselves, so that each gets a separate share. It should be stamped and registered.
Example: Three brothers inherit a plot and sign a registered partition deed that gives each a separate 100 gaj portion.
Agent tip: Before buying a plot from one co-owner, ask for a partition deed or the consent of all co-owners.
Related: Joint Ownership Release Deed Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
A written acknowledgement by the seller or builder that a sum has been received, stating the amount, date, mode of payment and purpose. It proves what has been paid towards a property and is needed in disputes and tax filings.
Example: Kavita pays Rs 5 lakh by cheque to a Mohali builder and asks for a receipt that names the unit and states that the money is part payment.
Agent tip: Take a receipt for each payment, including bank transfers. Avoid cash payments, which are hard to prove and can cause tax issues.
Related: Earnest Money Booking Amount Token Amount Demand Letter
Also called: Possession and Non-Attachment Certificate
A certificate issued by a revenue officer or village official that records who is in actual possession of a piece of land or house. It is used for loans, building permits and sometimes registration in states such as Kerala. It does not prove ownership.
Example: In Thrissur, a bank asks the buyer for a possession certificate from the village office to show that the seller is in possession of the plot.
Agent tip: Treat it as supporting proof only. Do not rely on a possession certificate in place of a registered title.
Related: Possession Thandaper Revenue Record Title
A list a buyer uses at handover to check the unit against the agreement, from the area and specifications to fittings, utilities, keys and documents. Faults noted in writing support a claim under the defect liability period.
Example: Walking through a new flat in Pune, Meera ticks off the checklist and notes cracked tiles and a leaking balcony drain in writing, before signing the possession letter.
Agent tip: Do not sign a possession letter stating all is perfect when defects exist. Record defects on the letter or in an annexure.
Related: Possession Letter Snagging Defect Liability Period Specifications
Also called: Handover Letter
A letter from the developer confirming that physical possession of the unit has been handed to the buyer, usually after final payment.
Example: A buyer receives the possession letter and the keys together after paying the last instalment.
Agent tip: Check the unit before accepting. Note defects in writing at the time of handover.
Related: Possession Snagging Defect Liability Period
Also called: Mukhtarnama, Attorney (Power of)
A document by which one person (the principal) authorises another (the agent) to act on their behalf. For property, the powers must be clearly written, and the document must be properly executed and stamped.
Legal basis: Powers of Attorney Act, 1882 and Registration Act, 1908 (Section 33 lists which powers of attorney are accepted for registration, including those signed abroad).
Example: An NRI authorises his brother through a POA to sign a registered sale deed on his behalf.
Agent tip: A POA is not ownership. Verify that the principal is alive, and the POA has not been revoked, before relying on it.
Related: General Power of Attorney (GPA) Special Power of Attorney (SPA) NRI (Non-Resident Indian)
A court's certificate that a will is genuine and that the executor can administer the estate. It is the safest proof of a will, and it is required in some cases.
Legal basis: Indian Succession Act, 1925 (Sections 57 and 213). Whether probate is required depends on the testator's religion and where the will was made, for example in the old Presidency towns of Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Elsewhere it is generally optional.
Example: A buyer in Chennai insists on a probated will before buying a flat that came by inheritance.
Agent tip: Ask a lawyer whether probate is required for that will, and ask for it where the title comes by will.
Also called: Tax Clearance Certificate, House Tax Receipt
A certificate from the local body that confirms the property tax up to a date has been paid and nothing is due. Some cities need it for registration, mutation or sale permission.
Example: Before the sale of a house in Ludhiana, the buyer asks the seller to get a property tax clearance certificate from the municipal corporation.
Agent tip: Unpaid property tax usually stays with the property. Ask the seller to clear it and give the receipt before the deal closes.
Related: Property Tax No Dues Certificate Municipal Corporation Mutation
A document that corrects an error, such as a wrong name, area or boundary, in an earlier registered deed. It is signed by both parties and registered.
Example: A sale deed misspells the buyer's name and shows 2,200 sq ft instead of 2,020 sq ft. The parties sign a rectification deed.
Agent tip: Correct errors immediately. They affect mutation, loans and later resale.
Related: Sale Deed Supplementary Deed
Also called: Registration Slip, Document Receipt
The receipt or slip given by the sub-registrar after a document is presented for registration, showing the document number, date and fees paid. Until the registered document is returned, it serves as proof of the registration.
Example: Ravi buys a flat in Panchkula and receives a registration receipt that day, but the original deed arrives from the registrar two weeks later.
Agent tip: Keep the receipt safely and check the date and document number against the stamped deed. It helps with mutation and loan formalities.
Related: Registration (Property) Sub-Registrar Registration Fee Sale Deed
A deed by which one co-owner gives up their share in a jointly owned property in favour of another co-owner.
Example: One sister releases her share in the ancestral house to her brother through a registered release deed.
Agent tip: When a seller claims sole ownership of inherited property, ask for release deeds from the other heirs.
A document by which a person gives up their right or claim in a property. It is often used between family members and may attract stamp duty.
Example: A daughter signs a relinquishment deed in favour of her brothers for her share in the family flat.
Agent tip: Check if the deed is registered and stamped properly. Unregistered relinquishments are a common source of later disputes.
Related: Release Deed Partition Deed Joint Ownership
Also called: Kirayanama, Rental Agreement
The written contract between landlord and tenant on rent, deposit, period, notice and responsibilities. In many states a rental agreement under one year is not compulsorily registered, but it should be stamped.
Example: A 11-month rent agreement on stamp paper records a ₹25,000 monthly rent and a two-month security deposit.
Agent tip: Insist on a written, stamped agreement. Without it, a tenant has few clear rights.
Related: Lease Deed Leave and License Agreement Security Deposit
Also called: Cancellation of Power of Attorney, POA Revocation
A document by which the person who gave a power of attorney cancels it. A revocation is effective against third parties once they know of it, so it should be notified, and a registered power is usually cancelled by a registered deed.
Example: Mr. Thakur in Shimla learns that his agent has lost his trust and signs a registered cancellation of the power of attorney, then informs the local sub-registrar.
Agent tip: If the power was registered, register the revocation and notify buyers and banks in writing. An irrevocable power linked to an interest cannot be cancelled in this way.
Related: Power of Attorney (POA) General Power of Attorney (GPA) Cancellation Deed Sub-Registrar
Also called: Auction Sale Certificate
The document issued after a bank, court or authority auction that confirms the buyer's purchase of the property. It serves as the buyer's title document after it is stamped and registered as the law needs.
Example: A bidder wins a bank auction of a flat in Mohali and receives a sale certificate. The sub-registrar registers it before the buyer applies for mutation.
Agent tip: In an auction purchase, check that the sale certificate is stamped and registered. Without that, the title is hard to prove later.
Related: Bank Auction Property SARFAESI Act Distressed Property Title Deed
Also called: Registry, Registered Sale Deed
The registered document that transfers ownership of immovable property from seller to buyer. Ownership passes only when it is executed, stamped and registered with the Sub-Registrar.
Legal basis: Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (Section 54) and Registration Act, 1908 (Section 17).
Example: Ms. Gill pays the full price for a flat. She becomes the legal owner only after the sale deed is signed in front of the Sub-Registrar and registered.
Agent tip: An agreement to sell, a receipt or a power of attorney does not make the buyer an owner. Insist on a registered sale deed.
Related: Agreement to Sell (ATS) Registration (Property) Stamp Duty Sub-Registrar
A letter from a lender confirming the loan amount, rate, tenure and conditions approved for a borrower.
Example: A bank issues a sanction letter for ₹60 lakh at a floating rate for 20 years.
Agent tip: Read the conditions, as many sanctions are subject to legal and technical clearances.
Related: Home Loan Loan-to-Value (LTV) EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment)
Also called: Property Description, Chauhaddi, Boundaries of Property
The part of a deed that describes the property exactly, giving survey or khasra numbers, area, location, boundaries on four sides and sometimes the floor and flat number. A vague schedule is a common source of disputes.
Example: The schedule in a Ludhiana sale deed lists the plot number, area in square yards and the roads and neighbours on all four sides.
Agent tip: Check the schedule against the map and the site. Errors in boundaries or numbers can lead to a deed that needs rectification.
Related: Sale Deed Survey Number Rectification Deed Title Deed
Also called: Settlement Deed Tamil Nadu, Vyavastha Patra
A deed by which a person arranges how property will pass to family members, often within the family and without payment. Depending on the state and structure, it may be treated like a gift or a partition, with stamp duty accordingly.
Example: A father in Madurai makes a registered settlement deed giving his house to his two sons in equal shares, with a life interest for himself.
Agent tip: Check how your state treats it for stamp duty. The duty can differ greatly from that of a sale deed.
Related: Gift Deed Partition Deed Family Settlement Will
A certificate issued by a co-operative housing society that records the member's number of shares and links them to a specific flat.
Example: A buyer of a resale flat in a Mumbai society receives the share certificate in his name after the society approves the transfer.
Agent tip: Ask the seller for the original share certificate and the society's transfer approval.
Related: Co-operative Housing Society No Objection Certificate (NOC)
A POA that gives authority for a particular act or transaction, such as signing a sale deed or appearing in the Sub-Registrar's office.
Example: An NRI signs an SPA for one purpose only: to sell a specific flat on agreed terms.
Agent tip: Prefer an SPA over a GPA. Check that it names the property, the price range and the powers given.
Related: Power of Attorney (POA) General Power of Attorney (GPA) NRI (Non-Resident Indian)
Government-issued paper bearing pre-paid stamp duty, on which legal documents were traditionally executed. Many states now use e-stamping.
Example: A buyer pays stamp duty online and receives an e-stamp certificate instead of buying physical stamp paper.
Agent tip: Check the e-stamp certificate on the issuer's website to confirm it is genuine.
Related: e-Stamping Stamp Duty Franking
A deed by which a lessee gives a part or all of the leased premises to another person for a period within the lease term. The first lessee remains liable to the owner, and the lease terms may limit or forbid subletting.
Example: A tenant of a floor in Gurugram signs a sub-lease deed with a start-up for half the space. The head lease requires the owner's written consent for this.
Agent tip: Check the head lease for a clause on subletting. A sub-lease without the owner's consent can end the main lease.
Related: Lease Deed Lessee Subletting Landlord
A court certificate under the Indian Succession Act, 1925 that entitles the holder to collect the debts and securities of a deceased person. It does not decide title to property. It is different from a legal heir certificate.
Example: A family needs a succession certificate to claim the bank deposits of a relative who died without a will.
Agent tip: For property, buyers often ask for a legal heir certificate and a family settlement. Ask a lawyer which document the situation needs.
Related: Legal Heir Certificate Probate
A deed that adds to or modifies an earlier deed, for example to include a missed boundary or reflect an agreed change. It should be stamped and registered where needed.
Example: Parties add the missed parking slot to a registered sale deed through a supplementary deed.
Agent tip: Use it to fix omissions. Ask a lawyer to decide if it needs full stamp duty.
Related: Rectification Deed Sale Deed
Also called: Ownership Document
The document that establishes ownership of a property, such as a registered sale deed, gift deed, partition deed or will. A chain of such documents shows the history of ownership.
Example: A buyer checks that every transfer in the last 30 years is documented by a title deed.
Agent tip: Ask for the full chain of title, not only the latest document.
Related: Link Documents Sale Deed Title
Also called: Title Verification, Search Report
An inquiry into the history of a property, going through registers at the sub-registrar office, revenue records and court records to see who owned it and whether there are loans or disputes. A lawyer usually summarises the result in a title report.
Example: Before buying a house in Mohali, Rohan has a lawyer search the registrar's index for 30 years and the court records for pending cases.
Agent tip: Order a title search before the booking amount goes beyond a small token. It costs little compared to a lost property.
Related: Legal Title Report Link Documents Litigation Check Encumbrance Certificate (EC)
Also called: Declaration of Trust, Deed of Trust
A document that creates a trust, naming who gives the property, who manages it as trustee, who benefits and what the rules are. Property can be held in a trust for family, charity or a project, and land in a trust is dealt with by the trustees.
Example: A temple trust in Nashik owns a hall and wants to sell part of it. The trust deed shows the trustees can sell only with the charity commissioner's approval.
Agent tip: If a seller is a trust, read the trust deed first. Check who may sign and whether outside permission is needed.
Related: Title Legal Title Report Registration (Property) Gift Deed
A written promise by a person to do or not do something, often given to a builder, bank or authority. In property work it may confirm that a seller will clear dues or that a buyer accepts a condition, but its legal effect depends on how it is drafted.
Example: A seller in Mohali gives a signed undertaking that he will clear the society dues before the sale deed is registered.
Agent tip: Ask for a clear undertaking on stamp paper, with a date. A vague one is hard to enforce.
Related: Affidavit Indemnity Bond Stamp Paper No Dues Certificate
Also called: Valuation Certificate
A report by a qualified valuer that estimates the market value of a property. Banks use it to decide the loan amount.
Example: A bank's valuer values a flat at ₹52 lakh although the seller wants ₹58 lakh.
Agent tip: A low valuation reduces the loan. Plan for the gap and discuss it before the buyer signs.
Related: Market Value Loan-to-Value (LTV) Plinth Area
Also called: Vasiyatnama, Vasiyat
A written document in which a person declares how their property should be distributed after death. It takes effect only on death, and can be changed or revoked during life.
Legal basis: Indian Succession Act, 1925. Registration is optional, but registered wills are harder to challenge.
Example: A grandfather leaves a house to his granddaughter by will. The title passes on his death. Mutation in the revenue records is then needed for tax and loan purposes, but it does not itself transfer title.
Agent tip: Property from a will still needs mutation. Ask whether the will was proved and whether other heirs have raised any claim.
Related: Probate Legal Heir Certificate Mutation
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