Q : What are the important documents one should check before buying any property? If you want to purchase a property, you must see the approved layout plan, approved building plan, ownership documents, carryout search, etc. Consult an advocate before you purchase a property so that he can advise you.

Q : What is the difference between built up area, super built up area, and carpet area? Carpet Area: This is the area of the apartment/building, which does not include the area of the walls. Built up Area: This includes the area of the walls also.
Super Built up Area: This includes the built up area, along with the area under common spaces such as the lobby, lifts, stairs, etc. This term is only applicable to multi-dwelling units.

Q : Who is liable to pay Stamp Duty-the buyer or the seller? The liability of paying stamp duty is that of the buyer unless there is an agreement to the contrary.

Q : In whose name are the Stamp Papers required to be purchased? The stamp papers are required to be purchased in the name of any one of the executors to the Instrument.

Q : What is meant by the market value of the property and is Stamp Duty payable on the market value of the property or on consideration as stated in the agreement? Market value means the price at which a property could be bought in the open market on the date of execution of such instrument. The Stamp Duty is payable on the agreement value of the property or the market value which ever is higher.

Q : Which are the instruments that attract the payment of Stamp Duty? The instruments that attract Stamp Duty on market value of the property are:
Agreement to Sell
Conveyance Deed
Exchange of property
Gift Deed
Partition Deed
Power of Attorney settlement and Deed
Transfer of lease

Q : Who is the appropriate authority for knowing the market value of the property? The Sub-Registrar of the area, in whose jurisdiction the property is located, is the appropriate authority for knowing the market value of the property.

Q : Is a POA revocable? Yes, a POA can be either revocable or irrevocable, depending on what sort of a POA one has made.

Q : What exactly do we mean by a Free Hold property? What are the advantages and disadvantages, if any? A freehold property (plot or a property) is one where there is a whole and sole owner(s), ownership is full and unconditional (within the provisions of the laws of the land) and there is no lessor/lessee involved.

Q : How to convert a POA property into a Free Hold? POA cannot be converted into anything. Leasehold properties of DDA in Delhi can be converted to freehold, as per provisions.

Q : How to verify the authenticity of the various documents submitted by the seller of the propertye, particularly with regard to the possibility that the propertye has not been sold earlier to a third party? Regarding authenticity of documents, again, you have to take the help of an advocate.

Q : I want to gift a property in a Co-op Hsg. Society. What are the legal formalities? What about stamp duty? Gift of an immovable property is considered as a ‘transfer’ under the provisions of the TOP Act and you have to have the transaction registered through a Gift Deed and pay stamp duty as per provisions of the relevant State’s Stamp Act depending in which state the property is situated.

Q : Upon buying a property from a builder in a building under construction, what are the permissions and papers that one should check with the builder, so as to ascertain the genuinity of the builder? When you are buying a property from a builder in a building under construction, you have to check the following:
Approved plan of the building along with the number of floors.
Ensure that the floor that you are buying is approved.
Check if the land on which the builder is building is his or he has authority under an agreement with a landlord. If so, check the title of the land ownership with the help of an advocate.
Check the building by-laws as applicable in that area and ensure that the builder is building without any violation of front setback, side setbacks, height, etc.
Check specifications given in the agreement to sell of the sale brochure. Is he providing the same actually on the ground or not?
Check the reputation of the builder.
Ensure that urban land ceiling NOC (if applicable) has been obtained or not.
Permissions from water and electricity authorities also have to be obtained.
Permissions from lift authorities and other Goverment agencies as applicable.