Frequently asked questions
Practical answers to the questions buyers ask before putting money into property in India.
What is RERA and how does it protect home buyers?
RERA refers to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, which requires most projects to be registered with a state authority before they are marketed or sold. Registration brings disclosure of project details and timelines and gives buyers a forum to complain about delays or unapproved changes. Checking a project's RERA registration is one of the first things a buyer should do.
What should I verify before buying a property?
Confirm that the project is registered with your state RERA and that the seller has clear title to the land or flat. Check the approvals and sanctioned plans, obtain an encumbrance certificate to see if there are loans or disputes on it, and read the builder-buyer agreement before paying a large sum. These checks reduce the risk of legal trouble later.
What is the difference between carpet area and super built-up area?
Carpet area is the usable floor space inside the walls of your flat, the area you can actually lay a carpet on. Super built-up area adds a share of common spaces such as lobbies, staircases and corridors, so it reads larger. Comparing prices on carpet area gives a fairer picture of what you are really paying for.
What are stamp duty and registration charges?
Stamp duty is a tax you pay to the state to make a property transfer legally valid, and registration charges cover recording the document with the registrar. The rates are set by each state and so differ across the country, and they are paid on top of the price of the property. Budgeting for them early avoids a shortfall at the time of purchase.
Do I have to pay GST when buying a property?
GST generally applies to under-construction property, where you are effectively paying for construction still in progress. A ready property for which the completion certificate has been issued is usually treated as outside GST on sale. Because the treatment depends on the stage of the project, confirm it for your specific purchase.