• What is the best way to register a property

My parents want to write gift deed on couple of properties and need advice.

Background- I have an estranged sibling, who I no relationship with but my parents are in communication. 

Property 1 - House my parents currently live in(urban area). It is registered under my fathers name. This property generates rental income which they use for they day to day expenses.(They are retired and do not have other income). I paid 95% of cost incurred buying the land and building house. I took a home loan to build the house and cleared the loan.

Property 2 - My father received a house as inheritance from his parents(rural area). It is registered under my fathers name. This property generates rental income which they use for upkeep of the house. I or my sibling do not have any contribution in maintainance or upkeep of the property.

My father has other properties(plots of land) which I have no interest in and I want them to handle these as they see fit.

My father wants to do a gift deed on property #1,#2 under my name. Are there are any additional legal formalities/legal documents that I need to get in order to avoid future claims or litigations from my siblings? 

For property#2, would is it better if I ask father to sell it and gift me the amount received from sales instead?
Asked 12 months ago in Property Law
Religion: Christian

First answer received in 10 minutes.

Lawyers are available now to answer your questions.

8 Answers

Father should execute registered gift deed in your favour 

 

2) if father has received property as inheritance your sibling can take the plea it is ancestral property and file suit to set aside the sale of  property 

 

3) father should during his lifetime, sell the property

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99775 Answers
8145 Consultations

Property !. Even if 5 per cent is contributed by brother or father, it becomes ancestral property with all liabilities and obligations attached to ancestral property.

Property 2. It s admittedly ancestral property in which  all legal heirs will have equal shares.

Any gift/transfer/sale excluding any legal heir can be challenged by such legal heir successfully in Court.

Ravi Shinde
Advocate, Hyderabad
5125 Answers
42 Consultations

To ensure a smooth transfer and minimize potential disputes with your estranged sibling, your parents should follow a meticulous legal process. Here's a detailed guide for each property:

Property 1: House in Urban Area

  1. Gift Deed Execution:

    • Your father can execute a gift deed in your favor for this property.
    • It is advisable to clearly state in the gift deed that you contributed 95% of the cost of the land and construction. This reinforces your rightful claim.

  2. Registration:

    • The gift deed must be registered at the sub-registrar’s office. Pay the applicable stamp duty and registration fee, which varies by state (often lower for gifts between family members).

  3. Include No-Objection Clause:

    • Your father can include a statement in the deed explicitly disallowing any future claims from your sibling or other heirs.

  4. Rental Income Consideration:

    • Since this property is a source of income for your parents, you may allow them to retain lifetime usufructuary rights (right to rental income). This can be documented in the gift deed.

Property 2: Rural House (Inherited)


  1. Gift vs. Sale:

    • Gift Deed Option:

      • If you want to retain this property, your father can execute a gift deed in your name, similar to Property 1.
      • Mention in the deed that the property is inherited and any claims from other heirs are disallowed by your father.

    • Sale and Gift Proceeds:

      • If managing a rural property is not ideal, your father can sell the property and gift you the sale proceeds.
      • This eliminates the burden of upkeep and potential future disputes over the property itself.
      • A release deed from other heirs (your sibling) may still be needed to safeguard the sale.

Steps to Avoid Future Claims:

  1. Legal Notices:

    • Your father can serve a public notice in local newspapers declaring his intention to gift the properties and disallowing any claims by others. This establishes intent and reduces the risk of disputes.

  2. Obtain No-Objection Certificates (NOCs):

    • Although not legally mandatory for gifting, obtaining an NOC from your sibling is prudent to avoid future litigation.

  3. Family Settlement Agreement:

    • If possible, execute a family settlement agreement clarifying the distribution of all properties, including those you have no interest in. This ensures transparency and reduces the likelihood of disputes.

  4. Update Records:

    • After registration, update property records (mutation) to reflect your ownership in local land and municipal records.

General Considerations:

  • Tax Implications:

    • Gifts from parents to children are exempt from income tax under Indian law. However, the rental income from these properties will become taxable in your hands after the transfer.

  • Future Sales:

    • If you plan to sell the rural property later, ensure your father’s title is clear, and obtain all necessary approvals before transferring the sale proceeds.

  • Avoid Verbal Agreements:

    • Ensure everything is documented legally, as verbal agreements have no standing in property disputes.

For detailed, personalized advice, consider a phone consultancy. Hope you find the information helpful. You are free to contact me for further discussion. If you could spare two minutes of your time to write a review, it would be greatly appreciated and bring immense happiness to read it. Thank you. Shubham Goyal.

 

Shubham Goyal
Advocate, Delhi
2070 Answers
14 Consultations

You can ask him to sell also as well as he can gift or relinquish his right in said property to you. If it’s his sole property then gift deed if common then relinquishing his right 

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
34514 Answers
249 Consultations

 

To address your inquiry and ensure clarity, here are the key legal points and steps to consider when your parents wish to transfer the properties to you through a gift deed, as well as addressing potential concerns regarding future claims from your estranged sibling:

1. Gift Deed for Property 1 (Urban Property):

Since you contributed 95% towards the purchase and construction of this property, it is important to note that you may already have an equitable interest in the property. While your father holds the legal title, a Gift Deed can be executed to formally transfer ownership to you. Here are the key points:


  • Gift Deed: The gift deed should clearly mention the details of the property, the fact that your father is gifting it to you, and that no monetary consideration is involved. It must also explicitly state that your father is transferring his ownership rights in the property to you.

  • Stamp Duty and Registration: The gift deed must be duly stamped as per the prevailing laws of your state, and it must be registered with the sub-registrar of the area where the property is located. Failing to do so can make the gift deed invalid.

  • Future Claims by Sibling: Since your estranged sibling may attempt to raise future claims, it is crucial that the gift deed clearly mentions that your sibling is not entitled to any share in the property. This can help mitigate any future litigation. However, as the property is still in your father's name, there is a possibility of a challenge under the Hindu Succession Act if your father passes away without a will.

  • Tax Implications: Gifted property can attract stamp duty and tax implications. As per the law, gifts received by a legal heir (parent to child) are not taxable under the Income Tax Act. However, if the property is sold or transferred later, capital gains tax may apply.

2. Gift Deed for Property 2 (Rural Property):

For Property 2, which was inherited by your father, the following considerations are important:


  • Gift Deed: Your father can execute a gift deed to transfer ownership to you, even though this property was inherited by him. The gift deed should detail the inherited status and the intention to transfer the property to you.

  • Possibility of Litigation: As the property was inherited by your father, your estranged sibling may claim rights over it under the Hindu Succession Act if your father passes away intestate (without a will). To avoid this, it is advisable for your father to execute a Will along with the gift deed, specifically stating his intention to transfer the property to you.

  • Sale and Gift of Proceeds: If your father wishes to sell the rural property and then gift you the proceeds, it can be done. However, selling the property and gifting the sale proceeds is not as straightforward as gifting the property itself. It involves additional tax considerations, such as capital gains tax on the sale of the property.


    • Capital Gains Tax: If the property is sold, your father will be liable to pay capital gains tax on the sale, depending on whether it is a long-term or short-term capital gain. Long-term capital gains (if the property was held for more than 2 years) are taxed at a reduced rate, while short-term capital gains are taxed at a higher rate.

    • Gift of Proceeds: Once the sale proceeds are gifted to you, it will be considered a gift of money, which is not taxable if it is from a parent to a child. However, you should ensure that the sale and the gift are both well-documented to avoid any complications.

3. Additional Legal Documents and Formalities:

To prevent any potential disputes in the future, the following steps are advisable:


  • Will: Given your estranged sibling, it would be prudent for your father to also create a Will stating his intentions regarding the division of his estate, particularly for Property 2. The Will can clearly state that you are the rightful owner of the property and prevent any future claims.

  • No Objection Certificate (NOC): If your estranged sibling decides to challenge the gift, having a clear NOC from them (if they are willing to sign) stating that they do not object to the transfer would be beneficial. This is not mandatory but can be used to prevent future claims.

  • Legal Notices and Documentation: Ensure all transactions and documents are properly documented and maintained. This includes notarizing the gift deed, registering the deed, and keeping copies of communication in case of future litigation.

Conclusion:

  • For Property 1, a gift deed with appropriate legal formalities should suffice. However, ensure that the document explicitly addresses the fact that your sibling has no claim over the property, and consider having your father execute a will to clarify the division of assets upon his passing.
  • For Property 2, a gift deed is also valid, but you may consider discussing whether selling and gifting the proceeds would be a better route. Selling would incur tax liabilities, and gifting the money instead of the property may have fewer complications.

  • Preventive Measures: To avoid future claims, your father should execute a Will and possibly obtain a No Objection Certificate from your sibling, if feasible. This will ensure that the gift deed is as watertight as possible.

If you require further assistance in drafting the gift deed or any legal documentation, please feel free to reach out for a consultation. I would be happy to help you navigate this process.

Aman Verma
Advocate, Delhi
502 Answers

Dear Client,

In order to ensure a smooth and legally valid transfer of Property 1 (urban house) and Property 2 (inherited rural house) in your name, your father can execute registered Gift Deeds for both properties, clearly stating that the transfers are voluntary and free from any coercion. For Property 1, the deed should refer to your financial contributions so that it becomes tenable against any future claims. For Property 2, though a Gift Deed is straightforward, selling the property and gifting you the sale proceeds may provide flexibility but would require clear title and discharge of liabilities prior to the sale. Ensure that both Gift Deeds are registered at the Sub-Registrar's office and accompanied by proof of ownership, tax receipts, and encumbrance certificates so that future claims by your sibling are preventedConsultation with a property lawyer to draft clear and comprehensive deeds and communicating these transfers to your sibling will further strengthen your legal position.

Hope that this helps you to solve your problem.

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
11014 Answers
125 Consultations

As your father is the absolute owner of both the properties named as 1 and 2, he can transfer both the properties in your favor by executing a registered conditional settlement deed by retaining life interest rights unto him. 

That way no doubt you will become the absolute owner of both the properties from the date of execution of this registered transfer deed but you will not have the rights to alienate the property or transfer the same to anyone during the lifetime of your father because of the condition that he will enjoy the revenue from the property all through his lifetime.

Alternately he can execute a registered sale deed in your favor for sale consideration amount by deducting that you have already spent on its purchase and development. 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89976 Answers
2492 Consultations

- Since, those properties are in the name of your father , then it will considered his self acquired property , and he has his right to transfer the same to you without taking consent of anyone.

- He can registered a gift deed in your name. 

Mohammed Shahzad
Advocate, Delhi
15814 Answers
242 Consultations

Ask a Lawyer

Get legal answers from lawyers in 1 hour. It's quick, easy, and anonymous!
  Ask a lawyer