Under Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, the doctrine of part performance protects a transferee when:

Section 53A of TPA, 1882 incorporates the equitable doctrine of part performance. The essential conditions are: (i) there must be a contract for transfer of immovable property for consideration; (ii) the contract must be in writing, signed by the transferor or his authorised agent, and its terms must be ascertainable with reasonable certainty; (iii) the transferee must have taken possession in part performance, or being already in possession, must have continued it; (iv) the transferee must have done some act in furtherance of the contract; and (v) the transferee must have performed or be willing to perform his part of the contract. When these conditions are satisfied, the transferor or those claiming under him cannot enforce any right inconsistent with the contract. Importantly, after the Registration and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Act, 2001, Section 53A protects only transferees under registered agreements.