Power of Attorney (التوكيل) in Property Deals: Uses and Precautions

The power of attorney (التوكيل الرسمي) is everywhere in Egyptian property: buyers abroad authorize relatives, heirs authorize one sibling, and some sellers offer a توكيل instead of completing formal transfer steps. Used precisely, it is a practical tool. Used loosely, it is where deals go wrong. This is general information, not legal advice — have a lawyer review any توكيل before you rely on it.

Legitimate uses

A توكيل shines when someone genuinely cannot attend: an Egyptian abroad appointing a representative to sign a contract, follow up with the developer, or receive a unit; a family authorizing one member to manage a shared property; a busy owner delegating routine paperwork. Issued through the official notarization channels, with a clear scope, it keeps transactions moving without flying home for every signature.

Where the risk lives

The classic danger is buying a unit where the seller offers only a توكيل — sometimes pitched as saving time or fees — instead of a proper sale contract and transfer. A power of attorney is authority, not ownership: it can generally be revoked, and it typically ends on the death of the person who issued it. A buyer holding only a توكيل may discover their proof of purchase has evaporated. Broad, open-ended authorizations are equally dangerous in the other direction: an agent with unlimited powers can sell what you never intended to sell.

Scoping a توكيل safely

• Limit it to the specific unit and specific actions needed.
• Prefer time-limited or transaction-limited wording where possible.
• Never treat a توكيل as a substitute for a sale contract — pair them.
• Verify any توكيل presented to you through official channels before relying on it.

Practical takeaway: a توكيل should carry out a deal, never replace one. Keep the authority narrow, keep the contract primary, and let a lawyer read both before money moves.