Did You Know ? | You can gift property to spouse, child or any relative and register the same
Did You Know ? | You can gift property to spouse, child or any relative and register the same
How it is done
Under section 122 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, you can transfer immovable property through a gift deed. The deed should contain your details as well as those of the recipient. However, section 123 of the Act says gifting a property is valid only if the documents of transfer are registered with the local magistrate or the registrar. The registration is done in the presence of two witnesses.
As in the case of buying a property, you need to pay stamp duty to the registrar. State governments offer a concession on stamp duty rates if the property is gifted to blood relatives, although this varies from state to state. When the property is gifted to a person outside the family, the stamp duty is higher and is applicable according to the rules of a normal transfer of property.
Unregistered gift deed
If you do not register the gift deed, the gift is considered invalid. In case of a dispute over ownership, the person to whom you have gifted the property cannot claim it as his own. However, if he has lived on such a property for at least 12 years, he is naturally accepted as the property owner under the law.
Gift to foreign nationals
You cannot gift your property to a foreign national. However, if a relative is a non-resident Indian or a person of India origin, you can gift him commercial or residential property, but not agricultural, plantation or farm land.
If you gift to a minor
If the person to whom you gift the property is a minor, you will have to involve his natural guardians. Once the minor attains adulthood, he or she has the right to accept or reject the gift.
Where the gift can be revoked
Once the gift deed is signed, it cannot be revoked except under special cases. For example, to curb the malpractice of dowry, the law says that a property cannot be gifted as dowry to the groom. Also, the property comes back to you if the person to whom you have gifted it dies in your lifetime and he doesn’t have any descendants. But this is only applicable if you mention this condition at the time of signing the gift deed.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!