For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the booming real estate market in Chennai South—especially the high-growth corridor near mahindra city plots—presents an irresistible investment opportunity. However, the logistical challenge of being physically present for every signature and sub-registrar meeting is a major hurdle.
Enter the Power of Attorney (PoA): a legal instrument that acts as your professional proxy. Whether you are securing premium villa plots or investing in gst road plots, understanding the nuances of a PoA is the difference between a seamless transaction and a legal nightmare. Here is your definitive guide to executing a PoA for your investment in Athulyam.
1. GPA vs. SPA: Choosing the Right “Muscle”
Not all Powers of Attorney are created equal. As an NRI, you must choose between broad authority and surgical precision.
- General Power of Attorney (GPA): This grants your agent wide-ranging powers to manage all your affairs, from banking to property. While convenient, it carries a high risk of misuse.
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA): This is the preferred choice for real estate. An SPA is limited to a specific task—for instance, “signing the sale deed for Plot No. X in Athulyam mahindracity opposite.” Once the task is done, the power expires.
For community plots, where the legal titles are often already streamlined by developers, a tightly worded SPA provides maximum security with minimum risk.
2. The Execution Process: From Abroad to India
You do not need to fly to Chennai to grant a PoA. You can execute it from your country of residence through a process known as Consular Attestation or Apostillisation.
The Step-by-Step Workflow:
- Drafting: Have an Indian lawyer draft the PoA on plain paper. Ensure it explicitly mentions the survey numbers and DTCP/RERA details of your premium villa plots.
- Attestation: Sign the document in the presence of an authorized official at the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your country.
- Dispatch: Send the original, attested PoA to your representative in India via a secure courier.
- Adjudication: This is the most critical step. Within three months of the document reaching India, your agent must present it to the District Registrar for adjudication (stamping). Only after paying the state-specific stamp duty does the PoA become legally “active” for use at the Sub-Registrar Office (SRO).
3. Recent 2026 Legal Updates: Mandatory Registration
In the past, many PoAs were simply notarized and used. However, under the latest amendments to the Registration Act, any PoA that authorizes the “transfer of immovable property” (buying or selling) must now be compulsory registered.
If you are buying near mahindra city plots, your agent must register the adjudicated PoA in the SRO that has jurisdiction over the property. This adds a layer of government verification, ensuring that the PoA is genuine and hasn’t been revoked.
4. The “Life Certificate” and Other Safeguards
Tamil Nadu has introduced strict measures to prevent the misuse of PoAs by agents acting on behalf of deceased principals.
- Life Certificate: When the PoA is used for registration in projects like Athulyam, the agent must often produce a “Life Certificate” of the NRI principal, issued by a gazetted officer or registered medical practitioner, dated within 30 days of the transaction.
- Blood Relative Advantage: In Tamil Nadu, granting a PoA to a “close relative” (spouse, parent, sibling, or child) often attracts a significantly lower stamp duty (approximately ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 fixed) compared to a non-relative, where stamp duty may be calculated on the property value.
5. Why Athulyam is the Safest NRI Bet
The beauty of investing in Athulyam mahindracity opposite lies in its transparency. Since the project is RERA-registered, most of the “legal heavy lifting” regarding parent titles and approvals is already completed.
When your agent presents a PoA for premium villa plots at the SRO, the process is significantly smoother because the project’s documentation is already in the system. This reduces the time your proxy spends at government offices and minimizes the chance of “documentation queries” that can plague unapproved gst road plots.
Conclusion: Authority Without Vulnerability
A Power of Attorney is a powerful tool, but it must be wielded with caution. By opting for a Special Power of Attorney, ensuring timely adjudication, and choosing a project with clear titles like Athulyam, you can build your Indian real estate portfolio with absolute confidence from anywhere in the world.