What is a General Power of Attorney (GPA) in real estate?

A General Power of Attorney (GPA) in real estate is a legal instrument through which a property owner (the principal) authorises another person (the agent or attorney holder) to perform a broad range of acts on their behalf including selling, purchasing, managing, leasing, or mortgaging immovable property. A GPA confers wide-ranging authority on the agent.

Powers Typically Granted in a Real Estate GPA

• Sell or purchase immovable property.
• Execute sale deeds, gift deeds, lease agreements.
• Register documents at the Sub-Registrar's office.
• Collect rents and manage tenancies.
• Mortgage property or take loans against it.
• Appear before courts or authorities on property matters.

When GPA Is Commonly Used

• NRIs authorising a trusted family member or lawyer to manage Indian property.
• Property owners living in a different city who cannot be physically present.
• Elderly or ill property owners managing through a younger family member.

A GPA is a necessary convenience tool for property management not a substitute for registered property transfer documents. Buyers should never accept a GPA-based title as a substitute for a registered sale deed, and principals should carefully define the scope of authority to prevent misuse.