An article about " Deed of Convenant for Production of Title Deeds "

Deed of Convenant for Production of Title Deeds

The transfer of immovable property by way of sales, gift, will, releases etc. presupposes that documents to the title of transferred immovable property are delivered to the transferee on completion of process. This is statutory obligation. Section No. 55(3) of Transfer of Property Act, casts this responsibility on the seller. But the section has a proviso that in case where only a part of the property is sold and the seller retains a part of the property the seller is entitled to retain the original documents, and copies of such documents are delivered to the purchaser.

In case, where the property is transferred to different persons, in different lots, the transferee of greatest portion is entitled to hold the documents of title and others are provided with copies of such documents.

In the circumstances dealt above, the persons holding the documents either the seller or one who hold the greatest portion has some responsibilities. He has to keep the documents in safe custody and in good condition. He has to make available the documents for inspection to otherbuyers, and also furnish the true copies of such documents; extract from such documents, whenever required.

But the cost has to be met by the buyer who needs such inspection or copies, extracts. Those responsibilities are required to be recorded properly.

The document, which records such obligations of safe keeping the documents; producing them for inspection, providing copies, extracts is called "Deed of convenant for production of documents."

The deed of transfer like sale, gift, will, and release may contain such a convenant by the vendor in favour of purchaser or a separate deed may also be executed by the vendor in favour of purchaser.

In case of the person holding greatest portion, a separate convenant deed about his obligations becomes necessary. A separate deed in favour of each of other transferee of other portions or a common deed in favour of all other transferees jointly may be executed.

In the deed of transfer of the greatest portion or of highest value an explicit convenant, that, the transferee shall safe keep the documents in good condition, produce for inspection of other transferee and furnish true copies or extract should be included. Similar relevant convenant should also be incorporated in deed of transfer of other transferees.

Generally all the portions of the property are not transferred at the same time, and the above suggested procedure may not be possible. In such cases, the transferor should give a convenant of production of documents in each of the deeds of transfer and it should further provide that if and when the transferor hands over the documents to any other transferee at a later date he would procure a similar condition from the such transferee.

Under a convenant of production of document, the original convenantor remains liable indefinitely unless a condition provides that he is no more responsible after he parts with the remaining portion of the property.

Stamp duty: In case the condition is included in the deed transfer itself, no separate stamp duty is payable. If a separate deed is executed, it attracts the stamp duty as that of an agreement depending upon the stamp duty prescribed by the state.

Registration: This deed of convenant does not require the registration, but it is advisable to get it registered.