Practice Areas / Property & Real Estate
Property is usually the biggest purchase or commitment people make, and problems are far cheaper to catch before you sign. Get a rent agreement drafted properly, a sale deed reviewed, or a property's ownership history checked before buying.
Under Section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908, a lease for a term exceeding one year, from year to year, or reserving a yearly rent must be registered, which involves stamp duty and registration fees. Many residential agreements are made for 11 months for that reason. Rules vary by state: in Maharashtra, for example, every leave and licence agreement must be registered regardless of its duration.
It typically traces the chain of ownership documents, often over the last 30 years, and checks for loans, mortgages, disputes or other claims on the property, including the encumbrance certificate.
Before you sign it and before you pay the balance amount. Once a sale deed is registered, fixing mistakes is much harder.
This information is general and not legal advice. Laws and procedures can change and depend on your situation, so please consult an advocate about your specific case.
