Acts and Forms

Know these Acts and Forms

How ownership of immovable property is acquired by a person?
A person may acquire immovable property in any of the following way

(i) By inheritance of ancestral property.
(ii) Through will.
(iii) Acquisition by oneself such as purchase etc.
(iv) Through gift, trust, settlement deeds.
(v) Grant, sanad / Inam by the Government
Through decree of Court.
There are two ways of acquisition:
1.By act of parties.
Example: Purchase, gift etc.
2. By operation of law
Example: Inheritance, decree of Court etc. (for details please see Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (Central Act))

Is it necessary to register in the Office of the Sub Registrar to get khata transferred in respect of property acquired by inheritance?
Not necessary. After the death of owner of a property his heirs, such as wife, children i.e. male and female, married or unmarried may get the Khata transferred on production of death certificate of the owner with details of property held by him to the following officers.
If property is an agricultural land – Tahasildar (See Sec.128 of Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964) Offices of Corporation, Municipality, Panchayat or City survey if such office exists.
Which are the documents requires to be compulsorily registered?
1. Gift deed of immovable property.
2. Other non-testamentary instruments, which purport or Operate to create, declare, assign, limit or extinguish whether in the present or in future, any right, title or interest, whether vested or contingent, of the value of one hundred rupees and upwards, to or in immovable property;
3. Non testamentary instruments which acknowledge the receipt or payment of any consideration on account of the creation, declaration, assignment, limitation or extension of any such right, title or interest;
4. Leases of immovable property from year or for any term exceeding one year, or reserving a yearly rent;
5. Non testamentary instruments transferring or assigning any decree or order of a court or any award when such decree or order or award purports or operates to create, declare, assign, limit or extinguish whether in the present or in future, any right, title or interest, whether vested or contingent, of the value of one hundred rupees and upwards, to or in immovable property;
6. The documents containing contracts to transfer for consideration, any immovable property for the purpose of section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 shall be registered if they have been executed on or after the commencement of the Registration and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Act, 2000 and if such documents are not registered on or after such commencement, then, they shall have no effect for the purposes of the said section 53A

How to effect partition of property?
a. If all the parties have share (common right) in the property partition can be effected. If partition is effected through an instrument such instrument must be compulsorily registered.
b. Oral partition affected through memorandum submitted to the concerned authorities need not be registered.
c. Stamp duty has to be paid in respect any kind of partition whether it is to be compulsorily registered or not.
d. Parties to the partition may agree to effect partition of unequal shares.
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When there are two or more heirs, can one or two be made full owners by others taking money in lieu of their share?
a) Yes. Any of the co-owners can individually or collectively release his / their right in favour of one or more collectively as the case may be and make him / them full owner. This kind of release can be with or without payment of money. This document is called Release.
b) Release can be made not only in case of inherited property but also in case of joint purchase/acquisition.
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What is a will?
A testamentary document by which a person bequeaths his property to be effective on his death is a will. The property will devolve on the person in whose favour it is bequeathed after death of testator.

Who can execute a will?
a) Any person above the age of 18 years and mentally sound may execute will, but will caused by fraud or coercion or by importunately will not be valid. Therefore a will must be executed voluntarily.
b) Parents or guardians cannot execute will on behalf of minors or lunatics.
c) Attestation by minimum two witnesses is necessary.
d) Scribe (deed writer / advocate) cannot be called witness. Two independent attesting witnesses other than the scribe or necessary.
e) Beneficiary under a will should not sign as attesting witness.
In order to avoid disputes in implementation of a will, description of property and the beneficiaries should be clearly be written without giving room for any doubt.
Is it compulsory to register a will?
It is not compulsory to register. Executants may register at his option. It is better to register the will. If original is lost a certified copy can be obtained from Sub-Registrar Office.
Where can the will be registered?
It can be registered in any office of the Sub Registrar in India 
Is there any time limit to register a will?
There is no such time limit 
Can a will be cancelled?
The testator can cancel his will at anytime during his lifetime. Such cancellation deed requires a Stamp duty of Rs.100-00
Can a registered will be rectified or changed?
If executant of a will wishes to rectify, add to will may do so during his lifetime. This is called codicil. This document does not require stamp duty.

Can a will be registered even after death of testator?
Yes, claiming party under the will have to produce will, records relating to the death of the testator, witness and the scribe before the Sub Registrar. If Sub Registrar is satisfied about the truth and genuineness of the execution of the will, he will register.
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What is the Stamp duty and Registration fee to register a will?
There is no Stamp duty on will deed. For registration of will during the life time of the testator Rs.200-00 Registration fee prescribed. To register the will after the death of the testator Registration fee of Rs.200-00 and enquiry fee of Rs.250-00 is prescribed.
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Is the certified copy of a registered will available to any body?
A certified copy of a registered will is available to the testator only during his lifetime. After his death anybody can obtain after producing proof of death of testator.
How to keep contents of a will confidential?
Will can be deposited in a sealed cover in office of the District Registrar. A fee of Rs.1000-00 prescribed to deposit will in a sealed cover. Depositor or authorized person (executor) can withdraw the sealed cover containing a will, if desires to do so. A Registration of Rs.200-00 prescribed.
What is the procedure to obtain the sealed cover containing a will after the death of the depositor?
On making an application along with proof of the death of the depositor, District Registrar will open sealed cover in the presence of the applicant and it will be registered. Certified copy will be issued if desired. A fee of Rs.100-00 prescribed to open a sealed cover.
What is the procedure for change of khata of the properties obtained through will?
After the death of the testator person claiming through the will have to apply to the concerned authorities as explained in question no.2 along with the copy of the will and death proof.
What are the duties and liabilities of buyers and sellers while purchasing a property?
Following is the duties and liabilities of buyers and sellers
Before sale
liabilities of seller Liabilities of purchaser
To inform defects in the property
To provide records of right
To execute sale deed Payment of consideration
To pay of the liabilities on the property
Rights
Rights of seller Rights of buyer
To get rent and profits Right of encumbrance on consideration already paid
After completion of sale
Liabilities of seller Liabilities of purchaser
To hand over possession Liability on accidental or loss to the property
Information about right
To hand over records of rights after receipt of consideration Duty to pay taxes and liabilities after taking possession of property
Rights of seller Rights of buyer
If consideration is due encumbrance on property of such dues Incremental value/profit on property
Though there are rights and duties the purchaser should carefully examine the following matters;
1) Original documents.
2) How did the seller acquire the property.
3) Encumbrance Certificate of the property for a minimum period of 15 years from Sub Registry Office to know if there are any encumbrances on the property to be purchased.
4) Verify from the concerned court if there are any litigations on the property to be purchased.
5) Verify if there are any litigations, objections in revenue, municipal offices about inheritance or any other matter.
6) If seller is a power of attorney holder, it should be verified from the principal and if such power of attorney is genuine and whether it is still in force.
7) It should be verified whether the transaction is opposed to public policy under Section 22A of the Registration Act, 1908. If so the document will not be registered.
8) If the Property is a granted land to the member of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe, it should be verified if the transaction is in contravention of the terms and conditions of grant and whether permission of the Government is obtained for transfer.
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What are the transactions opposed to public policy?

Government has declared the following as opposed to public policy under Section 22A of Registration Act, 1908 namely,-

(1) (a) Agreement to sell, sale, gift, exchange, mortgage, lease or assignment of land of which the occupancy right has been granted under Chapter III of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961 in contravention of the restrictions imposed under section 61 of the said act and the rules framed there under.
(b) Agreement to sell, sale, gift, exchange or otherwise of any land in excess of the ceiling limit specified in section 63 or 64 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961 in contravention of section 74 of the said act and the rules framed there under.
(c) Agreement to sell, sale, lease, mortgage with possession or otherwise of any agricultural lands to a person or a family or a joint family who or which has an assured annual income of rupees Two lakhs and above from sources other than agriculture in contravention of section 79-A of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961 and the rules framed there under.
(d) Agreement to sell, sale, lease, mortgage with possession or otherwise of any agricultural land to an educational, religious, charitable institution society, trust, company, association, other body of individuals or a co-operative Society other than the co-operative farming society in contravention of section 79-B of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961 subject to the exceptions and exemptions provided under section 109 of the said act and the rules framed there under.
(e) Agreement to sell, sale, gift, lease, mortgage with possession or otherwise of any agricultural land granted under the Karnataka Land Grant Rules, 1969 subject to restrictions on sale, transfer, and specific use imposed there under as per the provisions of the said Rules.
(2) One cannot possess land as owner, tenant or as mortgagee with possession in excess of 10 units. If a family consists of more than five members, such family may hold two units per head not exceeding 20 units.
PART A
[See Section 2(A)(35-A)
Classification of Lands
A Class
Lands having facilities for assured irrigation from such Government Canals and Government Tanks as are capable of supplying water for growing two crops of paddy or one crop of sugarcane in a year.
B Class
(i) Lands having facilities for assured irrigation from such Government Canals and Government Tanks as are capable of supplying water for growing only one crop of paddy in a year.
(ii) Lands irrigated by such lift irrigation projects constructed and maintained by the State Government as are capable of supplying water for growing two crops of paddy or one crop of sugarcane in a year.
C Class
(i) Lands irrigated from any Government sources of irrigation, including lift irrigation projects constructed and maintained by Government other than those coming under A Class and B Class.
(ii) Lands on which paddy crop can be raised or areca crop is grown with the help of rain water.
(iii) Lands irrigated by lifting water from a river or Government Canal or Government tank where the pumping installation or other device for lifting water is provided and maintained by the land owner.
Notes
(1) Lands having facilities for irrigation from a Government Source where the system of water supply is suitable for growing only light irrigated crop namely, crops other than paddy and sugarcane shall come under this class.
(2) Lands growing irrigated garden crop will come under classes ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’ as the case may be depending upon the source of irrigation and the system of water supply.
D Class
Lands classified as dry but not having any irrigation facilities from a Government source.
Note.- Lands growing paddy or garden crops not coming under A Class, B Class or C Class shall belong to this class.
PART B
Formula of determining equivalent extent of different classes
One Acre of A Class land having soil classification value above 8 annas = 1.3 acres of A Class land having soil classification value below 8 annas = 1.5 acres of B Class land having soil classification value above 8 annas = 2.0 acres of B Class land having soil classification value below 8 annas = 2.5 acres of C class land having soil classification value above 8 annas = 3.0 acres of C class land having soil classification value below 8 annas = 5.4 acres of D Class land.

Is it necessary to obtain permission for transfer of agricultural land granted under Land Grant Rules or granted occupancy right under Land Reforms Act even after lapse of condition for transfer?
Yes. Application should be submitted to Tahasildar and acknowledgement is obtained. If permission is not granted within 15 days after getting acknowledgement, document can be registered as if permission is granted.
What are other restrictions to purchase agricultural land?
Lands granted to persons belonging to scheduled caste or scheduled tribe cannot be transferred or purchased without prior permission of the Government. This restriction does not apply to mortgagee in favour of co-operative or scheduled banks and partition among family members
2. Social or Industrial organizations can purchase with the permission of the Government (Refer Sec.109 of Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964).

How to get transfer of immovable property?
a. As explained under Question 3, if value of property under sale, exchange, lease, and mortgage is Rs.100 or more, deed relating to such transaction must be compulsorily registered (Sec.17 of Registration Act 1908).
b. Gift deed, must be registered irrespective of the value of the property.
c. After the deed is registered `J’ slip is sent to Tahasildar in case of agricultural land and city survey office, in case of city non-agricultural property of properties are under city survey. The purchaser should get confirmed whether khatha is transferred through `J’ slip.
In areas where there is not city survey is not in operation, one has to apply along with copy of the deed to the concerned Corporation/ Municipal/panchyat office to effect transfer of khatha.
What is the purpose of Registration?
(a) By Registration of transaction of immovable property will become permanent public record. This is a notice to the general public. Those getting transfer of property should verify whether such property has been previously encumbered.
(b) According to Transfer of Property Act right, title or interest can be acquired only if the deed is registered.
What are the effects of non-registration?
If a deed of transfer, which is compulsorily registrable, is not registered it will not be admissible in evidence (Sec.49 of Registration Act 1908)
Is there time limit to present a document for registration after it is executed (signed)?
a. Document may be presented for registration within four months from the date of execution (signature).
b. If a document is executed out of India, the period of four months will be counted from the date of its receipt in India.
c. After four months document may be presented within another four months with penalty subject to maximum of ten times the registration fees if the District Registrar grants permission. But document may be presented before Sub Registrar within eight months. Thereafter it cannot be accepted for registration. (For details please see Rule 52 of Karnataka Registration Rules, 1965).
What is the day today timing for acceptance of deeds for registration in Sub Registry offices?
Generally deeds are accepted during working hours. Sub Registrar may stop accepting two hours before closing time if he has sufficient work to attend in respect of deeds already received for registration.
Provided deeds may be accepted in emergency cases on payment of extra fee of Rs.200 one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset and on holidays.
Can the document presented for registration be withdrawn?
Registering officer may permit withdrawal of the document before completion of registration on written request by the party who presented the document. Fifty percent of the registration fee is refundable. Likewise Stamp duty is also refundable subject to deductions. (Please see question No.19 on stamp duty F.A.Q.)
Who should be present at the time of registration?
A deed may be presented for registration either by claiming or executing party but the executant / executants must be present to admit execution (signing) of the deed (Please see Sec.32 of Registration Act 1908).
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What is the course, if executing party refuses to appear in Registry Office to admit execution?
a. In such circumstances, registering office will issue notice/ summons to the Executant. If the party does not turn up registering officer will refuse registration.
b. Application may be made to the District Registrar on such refusal to the District Registrar who will hold enquiry and decide the case. Rs.250 should be paid for such application.
c. One may submit appeal to the Civil Court if District Registrar also refuses to order for registration (For details please see Sec.73, 74, 75, 76 & 77 of Registration Act 1908).
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