Agreement to Sell
An agreement to sell is a written contract in which an owner agrees to sell immovable property to a buyer at a fixed price on a future date, after certain conditions are met.
Also called: Agreement for Sale, Sale Agreement, Property Sale Agreement, Bayana Agreement
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AN AGREEMENT TO SELL IS NOT A SALE
Many people believe otherwise, and the mistake can be expensive.
An agreement to sell gives the buyer a CONTRACTUAL RIGHT to have the sale completed. It does not give ownership. Under Section 54 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 a contract for sale "does not, of itself, create any interest in or charge on such property".
In Suraj Lamp & Industries (P) Ltd. v. State of Haryana (2011) the Supreme Court held that an agreement to sell combined with a general power of attorney and a will (the so-called "SA/GPA/Will transfer") conveys NO TITLE and is not a valid mode of transferring immovable property. In M.S. Ananthamurthy v. J. Manjula (2025) the Court applied the same reasoning to an agreement to sell coupled with a power of attorney. If someone is offering to "sell" you property on that basis rather than by a registered sale deed, you are not becoming the owner.
Insist on the registered sale deed. If the seller resists, ask why.
REMEDIES ARE ALTERNATIVES: if the seller defaults, clause 6.2 lets the buyer either recover the money paid or sue for specific performance. A suit for specific performance can also ask for a refund in the alternative, but the buyer cannot have both the property and the refund.
LIMITATION: a suit for specific performance must ordinarily be filed within THREE YEARS of the date fixed for performance or, if no date was fixed, of the date the buyer had notice that performance was refused. Do not let an agreement to sell drift.
STAMP DUTY: several States charge substantial stamp duty on an agreement to sell, particularly where possession is delivered, and in some States that duty is adjustable against the duty on the eventual sale deed. Confirm locally before execution.
Agreement to Sell: what it is
An agreement to sell is a written contract in which an owner agrees to sell immovable property to a buyer at a fixed price on a future date, after certain conditions are met. It records the price, the advance paid and the completion date, but ownership passes only when a registered sale deed is executed.
When you need this document
- You have agreed on a price for a flat, house or plot and the buyer is paying an advance or earnest money.
- The buyer needs time to arrange a home loan before the sale deed is registered.
- The seller must first clear a loan, get a society NOC or obtain a permission before the transfer.
What it covers
- The names and addresses of the seller and buyer and the place and date of execution.
- The total sale price in figures and words, the advance paid and how it was paid, and the schedule for the balance.
- A completion date for executing and registering the sale deed, with time of the essence and vacant possession at registration.
- The seller's duties before completion: show original title papers, clear dues and encumbrances, obtain permissions and create no new charge.
- Default terms allowing forfeiture of earnest money if the buyer defaults, and, if the seller defaults, either a refund of the money paid or specific performance, at the buyer's choice.
- A clear statement that, under Section 54 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, the agreement creates no interest in the property, with a schedule describing it.
How to fill, sign and use it
- Verify title first: check the chain of title deeds, an encumbrance certificate, tax receipts and any loan or society dues.
- Fill in the form on this page with the price, advance, balance terms and completion date, and check the property schedule against the title deed.
- Have an advocate review the draft before signing, because the completion date, default terms and possession clause decide what remedies each side has.
- Pay the stamp duty applicable in your state. For Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra the state panel on this page shows verified figures.
- Sign in front of two witnesses, and register the agreement where your state requires it or where possession is being delivered.
- Pay the advance by a traceable banking method, and execute and register the sale deed on or before the completion date.
Documents to attach or keep with it
- Copies of the seller's title deeds and the encumbrance certificate.
- Latest property tax and society maintenance receipts.
- Proof of the advance payment.
The law behind it
Section 54 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 says a contract for sale of immovable property does not by itself create any interest in it. Title passes only on a registered sale deed under that Act and the Registration Act, 1908. If a party refuses to complete, the other can seek specific performance under the Specific Relief Act, 1963, usually within three years under the Limitation Act, 1963. Where possession is handed over under the agreement, it must be registered for the buyer to rely on part performance protection. Stamp duty on agreements to sell is set by each state.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating the agreement as a sale and never registering the sale deed, leaving the buyer without title.
- Paying a large advance in cash with no bank record.
- Delivering possession on an unregistered agreement, which loses part performance protection, or under-stamping it in a state that charges sale deed duty when possession is given.
- Letting the completion date pass without a written extension, and then delaying a suit beyond the limitation period.
Agreement to Sell: frequently asked questions
Is an agreement to sell valid without registration?
It is a valid contract between the parties and can be used in a suit for specific performance. But where possession is delivered, it must be registered for the buyer to claim protection of part performance, and some states require registration in other cases too. Check the rule in your state.
Can the seller keep the advance if the buyer backs out?
This draft allows the seller to forfeit the earnest money if the buyer defaults without lawful cause, subject to the buyer's rights in law. Courts may not allow forfeiture of an amount that is really a large part payment rather than genuine earnest money.
What can the buyer do if the seller refuses to execute the sale deed?
The buyer can send a legal notice and then file a suit for specific performance, or claim refund of the money paid. The suit should ordinarily be filed within three years of the date fixed for completion or, if no date was fixed, of the date the buyer learnt of the refusal.
How much stamp duty is payable on an agreement to sell?
It varies by state. Some charge a small fixed duty, while others charge much more, especially where possession is given with the agreement. In some states the duty paid can be adjusted against the sale deed. Confirm locally before signing.
What is the difference between an agreement to sell and a sale deed?
An agreement to sell is a promise that the sale will take place later on agreed terms. Under Section 54 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, such a contract does not by itself create any interest in or charge on the property. The sale deed is the actual transfer of ownership, and for immovable property worth one hundred rupees or more it can be made only by a registered instrument.
When does part performance protect a buyer who has been given possession?
Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 protects a buyer who has taken possession under a written, signed contract whose terms are clear, and who has performed or is willing to perform their side. The seller then cannot enforce rights against the buyer's possession, other than rights the contract expressly gives. Since 24 September 2001, Section 17(1A) of the Registration Act, 1908 says the contract must be registered, or it has no effect for Section 53A.
Can I use this format to book a flat from a builder?
This format is meant for a sale between an owner and a buyer, such as a resale flat or a plot. For a project registered under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, Section 13 bars the promoter from taking more than ten per cent of the cost as advance or application fee without first signing and registering an agreement for sale in the form prescribed under that Act. Use the builder's RERA format in that case.
Last updated 16 October 2026.
General information on Indian law, not legal advice for your situation. Stamp duty, registration and fees differ by state, so check with the local office or an advocate before you rely on it.
Related guides
The law behind it, explained in plain English and checked against official sources.
How to Cancel a Sale Deed or an Agreement to Sell in India
A registered sale deed cannot be undone by one side signing a cancellation deed. A court has to cancel it. An agreement to sell is different: the parties can end it by a written cancellation deed and settle the earnest money.
Gifting Property to Family: Registration, Acceptance, Revocation
A gift of property to a relative needs a registered deed, two attesting witnesses and acceptance in the donor's lifetime. Once complete it is very hard to undo, unless the law on senior citizens applies.
Joint Development Agreement: What a Landowner Must Check
A joint development agreement lets you trade land for a share of the finished project. Here is what the law says about the power of attorney, RERA and registration, and the clauses that protect the landowner.
If this turns into a dispute, you can find a property lawyer or ask a verified advocate a question online.
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