How NRIs can use power of
attorney for real estate
transactions

The real estate purchases in India have always been an attractive proposition for NRI
investors. When to find a suitable property and want to seal the deal, but is difficult for
you to travel to India to complete the transaction power of attorney (PoA) is the best
option.

Usage of power of attorney

Even before the COVID-19 crisis, travelling frequently was not an option for many NRIs,
because of their jobs, busy schedules and even affordability. Consequently, a majority
of them used the power of attorney (PoA) instrument, to conduct various businesses in
the country of their origin. Under this legal arrangement, one can entrust anyone to
represent them, in order to conduct specific businesses on their behalf. Even if the NRI
is able to come back to India to make the purchase, at some point they have to hire a
legal representative, for asset management purposes. Using the PoA instrument, an
NRI can conduct various real estate-related businesses in India, including sale,
purchase, renting, leasing, mortgaging, dispute management, etc. Also, if a property is
jointly held, it might be difficult for all the co-owners to present themselves and complete
a transaction. By way of granting a PoA to one person, the joint owners can get past
any hassles.

Types of power of attorney (PoA)

There are three types of PoA – general power of attorney (GPA), special power of
attorney (SPA) and durable power of attorney (DPA). Under a GPA, your representative
is given general rights to make decisions on your behalf, while the SPA is granted to
conduct specific businesses. A DPA, on the other hand, remains valid for the entire
lifetime of the executor. Also, while the SPA loses its legal validity as soon as the task is
performed, a GPA can be revoked by the executor as and when he wants.

How to draft a power of attorney deed?

You could make the draft of the content for the PoA on your own, but hiring a legal
expert with specialization in sale/purchase of properties involving NRIs, is preferable.
Irrespective of who is doing it, be certain to include these details in the draft:
Your details:  Name, age, overseas address, Indian address and occupation.
Your signature:  The principal has to sign on each page of the PoA draft.
Your representative’s details:  Name, age, address and occupation.
Purpose of the POA:  State the specific purpose for which the PoA is being created.
Validity period:  The time when the POA comes into force and when it is terminated.
To give it a legal validity, the draft will now have to be authenticated by the local
authorities.

How to execute a power of attorney?

Depending on your availability, you could get the PoA executed in India or in the country
of your current residence.

PoA execution outside India

In case you are in another country where you are a resident, you could get the PoA
legalised though the Indian embassy in that country. There are two ways to do this.
Apostillisation:  Under the provisions of the Hague Convention, 1961, the PoA draft
must be verified by the local authorities in the country where you are currently living to
give it legal authenticity. This process, known as apostillisation, would also ensure
nothing prescribed in the draft is in conflict with the local laws. An apostille, also known
as superlegalisation, is a legal certificate, which confirms and verifies the signature/seal
of the person who authenticated the document. The deed must also comply with Indian
laws, such as the Indian Registration Act, 1908 and the Power of Attorney Act, 1882. A
stamp duty must also be paid to complete the apostillisation.
Legalisation:  In this process, one has to get the deed notarised by a local judge or
such authority and then get that judge’s signature authorised by the Indian embassy.
This is important, because the notary would get a legal validity only after an authorised
officer of the Indian embassy authenticates it. This is prescribed under Section 3 of the
Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Oaths and Fees) Act, 1948. This PoA must be
stamped and registered in India within three months of its execution. A stamp duty
would be payable, according to Section 2(17) read with Schedule-I of the Indian Stamp
Act, 1899, when the deed is presented for registration in India. The deed should be sent
by a registered post to an Indian address.

How to revoke a power of attorney?

As and when the executor thinks he must revoke the PoA, a due process has to be
followed to perform that task. If the PoA was registered at the sub-registrar’s office, for
instance, it has to be cancelled from there. A PoA is also revoked, when the grantor
dies, becomes insane, or is declared insolvent.
Before revoking the PoA, the executor must inform all parties concerned and do the
cancellation as per the terms and conditions specified in the document. This information
must also be published in the local media, depending on the size of the property and
impact of the decision. A notice in this regard should also be posted on the said
premises, for informational purposes.