Can I Sell My Property in India without Visiting the Country?

Don't overlook the tax side of the sale. If the seller is a non-resident for Indian tax purposes, the buyer may have TDS obligations under the rules applicable to payments to non-residents. The withholding amount and the final capital gains tax liability are separate issues.

Ask a chartered accountant to calculate the expected capital gain and review whether a lower or nil deduction certificate may be appropriate before the transaction is completed.

The sale proceeds should be received through permitted banking channels, and you should check the applicable rules for crediting the money to your NRO account and any later repatriation abroad.

Keep the purchase deed, sale deed, cost and improvement records, TDS documents and bank statements. Having the paperwork organised before the sale can help avoid delays.

The POA is important, so don't use a generic template without checking it. It should clearly identify the property and specify the powers being granted, such as signing the sale deed, appearing before the registration authority and completing the relevant formalities.

Also, verify whether the document needs stamping, adjudication or registration under the applicable state law. These requirements can differ, and a POA accepted for one purpose may not be sufficient for another.

Choose someone you trust completely, and understand exactly what they are authorised to do. I would also have the lawyer explain how the sale money will be paid and ensure the payment instructions are documented clearly.

Yes, it is generally possible to sell property in India without travelling there. One common approach is to appoint a trusted person in India through a properly drafted Power of Attorney.

I would recommend discussing a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) with a property lawyer. It can limit the representative's authority to the specific property sale instead of granting broad powers over your other affairs.

The document may need to be signed and authenticated abroad, then stamped or adjudicated in India as required by the applicable state rules. Whether consular attestation or apostille is appropriate depends on where you live and the requirements of the relevant authorities.

Before signing anything, ask the lawyer to confirm the requirements of the state where the property is registered. The buyer, their lawyer and the local sub-registrar may also need to review the POA before the sale proceeds.