Powers of Attorney

It is an instrument/document  created by a person (Donor ) who entrusts someone (Donee) to act on his behalf some legal transaction, (eg buying or selling of property)is called a Power of Attorney.

A Power of Attorney which is created under Section 48 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act may be deposited at the Supreme Court pursuant to Order 60 of the Rules of Court. It is deposited in the court are open for public inspection subject to the payment of a fee.

Who can I appoint as my Attorney/Donee

You can appoint almost anyone to be your Attorney.  Since you will be entrusting important matters to your Attorney, the person should be an trusted adult person (and preferably a close relative/friend).

HDB Flats

There are generally 3 standard formats of Power of Attorney approved by HDB which do not require HDB's prior approval. They are :-

1. Sale, Subletting & General Management
2. Purchase, Subletting & General Management
3. Subletting & General Management Only

Other forms of Power of Attorney pertaining to a HDB would require HDB’s approval (eg. Selective Enbloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers))

Signing of Power of Attorney

The execution of your Power of Attorney must be done under seal in the presence of a Lawyer in Singapore.  If you are executing the Power of Attorney overseas, it must be done before a Notary Public or Singapore Consulate Officer in that particular country. Your lawyer will then deposit a copy of the Power of Attorney at the Registry of the Supreme Court.

After a copy of the Power of Attorney is duly deposited at the Supreme Court, the lawyer will furnish a Letter of Confirmation addressed to HDB that the HDB's prescribed standard format is followed.

Other than a Power of Attorney, is there any document to sign?

Notwithstanding the Power of Attorney, you may be required to personally sign the necessary statutory declaration as required by HDB.

Time-Limit

Under the prescribed form by HDB, a Power Of Attorney can have a maximum validity of 6 years.

Can I revoke the Power of Attorney?

Yes you can. You may do so by executing a Revocation of Power of Attorney. Such revocation must be brought to the attention of the Donee/Attorney and HDB.