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Transfer of Property Act, 1882 · Chapter III: Of Sales of Immoveable Property

Section 54: “Sale” defined

"Sale" is a transfer of ownership in exchange for a price paid or promised or part-paid and part-promised.

Sale how made.— Such transfer, in the case of tangible immoveable property of the value of one hundred rupees and upwards, or in the case of a reversion or other intangible thing, can be made only by a registered instrument.

In the case of tangible immoveable property of a va lue less than one hundred rupees, such transfer may be made either by a registered instrument or by delivery of the property.

Delivery of tangible immoveable property takes place when the seller places the buyer, or such person as he directs, in possession of the property.

Contract for sale.— A contract for the sale of immoveable property is a contract that a sale of such property shall take place on terms settled between the parties.

It does not, of itself, create any interest in or charge on such property.

State amendments to this section

Assam.

Amendment of section 54 of the Central Act 4 of 1882.—In Section 54 of the principal Act, in para 2, for the expression “by a registered instrument” the following expression shall be substituted, namely:—-

“by an instrument registered in the State of Assam, notwithstanding anything contained in the India Registration Act, 1908 (Act 16 of 1908) to the contrary.”

[Vide Assam Act 10 of 1976, s. 2.]

Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.

Supreme Court judgments citing the section 54