What each document does
| Document | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Agreement to sell | Records the terms on which a sale will happen | Does not transfer ownership |
| General power of attorney | Authorises an agent to act | Does not transfer ownership; can be revoked |
| Will | Passes property on death | Has no effect during the testator's life |
| Registered sale/conveyance deed | Transfers ownership | — |
| Lease deed | Creates a right to occupy for a term | Does not transfer ownership |
The Supreme Court summarised these distinctions in Suraj Lamp & Industries v. State of Haryana, relying on the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 and the Registration Act, 1908.
Before signing
- Title chain and current revenue or estate records reviewed by your advocate.
- Correct description of the property: khasra numbers or plot number, area with unit, boundaries.
- Authority of each signatory (company resolutions, powers of attorney, consent of co-owners).
- Estate-authority permission where the plot's terms require it.
- Stamp duty and registration charges computed under the current State provisions.
- Payment schedule tied to clear milestones; possession and handover terms.
After registration
Apply for mutation (or the estate authority's transfer record), transfer utility accounts, and update property-tax records.
Who decides
Documents are drafted or vetted by advocates; the Sub-Registrar registers; the revenue officer sanctions mutation.