A Power of Attorney (PoA) is a legal document that lets someone else act on your behalf in property matters—like buying, selling, leasing, or managing real estate.

What Is It?

• The Principal gives authority to an Attorney (Agent) to act on their behalf

• Useful when the owner is abroad, unwell, or unavailable

• Must clearly define the scope of powers to avoid misuse

Types of PoA:

1. General PoA (GPA)

   • Broad powers: manage, lease, collect rent, pay taxes

   • Not valid for selling property post-Supreme Court ruling (2011)

2. Special PoA (SPA)

   • Limited to specific tasks: e.g., selling one property

   • Legally stronger and more acceptable for transactions

Do’s:

• Draft with clear, specific language

• Register the PoA (mandatory for property-related powers)

• Use SPA for sale/purchase to avoid legal issues

• If NRI, get it notarized and attested by Indian consulate

Don’ts:

• Don’t rely on GPA for property sale—it’s not legally valid

• Avoid vague or blanket powers

• Never skip registration or legal vetting

• Don’t use PoA as a shortcut to bypass proper sale deed execution