From Booking & Agreement for Sale to Registration, Approvals & Possession
Buying a home is an emotional decision. But completing the paperwork is a practical one.
You may fall in love with the location, floor plan, view, amenities and lifestyle a property offers. But before you pay your booking amount or sign on the dotted line, there is another side of buying a home that deserves your full attention:
The documents.
Property paperwork can look complicated, especially when you're buying your first home. Terms such as Agreement for Sale, Completion Certificate, Occupancy Certificate, registration, possession letter and NOCs can sound confusing.
The good news?
You don't need to become a property lawyer.
You simply need to know what each document means, why it matters and what you should check before moving ahead.
Here are 12 essential document checkpoints every homebuyer should know.
- Verify the Project Registration Details
Before booking a home in a new project, check the project's applicable RERA registration details.
For Maharashtra projects, buyers can use the MahaRERA portal to review publicly available project information and documents.
Look for details such as:
- Project name
- Promoter/developer
- RERA registration number
- Registered project details
- Proposed completion timeline
- Building/tower information
- Uploaded approvals and project documents
Don't rely only on a brochure or sales presentation.
Where applicable, compare the information given to you with the official project records.
- Understand the Agreement for Sale
The Agreement for Sale is one of the most important documents in your purchase.
It sets out the contractual terms between the buyer and promoter, including important details concerning the property and transaction.
Before signing, carefully check:
- Apartment number
- Floor and tower
- Carpet area
- Total consideration
- Payment schedule
- Possession-related terms
- Specifications
- Amenities
- Parking provisions
- Maintenance-related provisions
- Default/cancellation provisions
- Rights and obligations of both parties
A simple rule:
Never sign an agreement simply because someone tells you it is a standard document.
Read it carefully and seek professional legal advice if any clause is unclear.
- Check the Carpet Area
One of the most important numbers in a home purchase is the carpet area.
Don't compare homes only by their advertised size.
Ask:
“What is the RERA carpet area of this apartment?”
Then compare properties on a like-for-like basis.
A larger advertised number does not automatically mean more usable living space.
Understanding carpet area can help you make a more meaningful comparison between different homes.
- Check the Sanctioned Plans & Applicable Approvals
Before buying, understand whether the building and relevant construction are supported by the required approvals and sanctioned plans.
Depending on the project, relevant documentation may include approvals relating to:
- Building plans
- Layout
- Development permissions
- Environmental requirements, where applicable
- Fire-related requirements, where applicable
- Infrastructure/utilities
- Other permissions from competent authorities
The exact documents vary according to the project and local authority.
The important point is simple:
Don't judge a project's legality only by what you see at the construction site.
- What Is a Completion Certificate?
A Completion Certificate (CC) generally relates to the completion of construction in accordance with approved plans and applicable requirements, as certified by the relevant authority.
For a homebuyer, the key question is:
“What completion-related certification applies to this project and what exactly does it certify?”
Terminology and requirements can vary depending on the authority and project.
Therefore, verify the actual document applicable to your building rather than relying on a verbal explanation.
- What Is an Occupancy Certificate?
The Occupancy Certificate (OC) is another important document that buyers should understand.
Broadly, it relates to the competent authority's permission for occupation of a completed building or relevant portion, subject to applicable requirements.
Before accepting possession, ask:
“Has the applicable Occupancy Certificate been obtained for my building/tower?”
This is especially important because construction completion and permission for occupation are not necessarily the same thing.
- Know What Documents You Need for Booking
At the booking stage, buyers are generally asked to provide KYC and transaction-related documents.
Depending on your situation, these may include:
Individual buyers
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar or other accepted identity proof
- Address proof
- Photographs
- Bank details
- Booking/application form
- Other KYC documents
Home-loan buyers
The lender may also request:
- Salary slips
- Form 16
- Income-tax returns
- Bank statements
- Employment/business proof
- Existing loan information
- Other financial documents
Joint buyers
Each applicant may need to submit their own applicable KYC and financial documents.
Always confirm the exact current checklist with the developer and lender.
- Understand Stamp Duty & Registration
Buying a home isn't only about the agreement value.
You also need to understand applicable:
- Stamp duty
- Registration charges
- Taxes, where applicable
- Government fees
- Other transaction-related charges
Before making the final payment, ask for a clear breakup of the amount payable.
This helps avoid the uncomfortable situation of discovering additional costs at the last moment.
- Know What You Need for Property Registration
Registration formalises the relevant property transaction/document with the registering authority.
Depending on the transaction, you may need documents such as:
- Agreement for Sale or applicable conveyance document
- PAN
- Identity/address proof
- Photographs
- Stamp duty payment details
- Registration fee details
- Applicable property documents
- Loan/lender documents, where applicable
- Power of Attorney, where applicable
- Other documents required by the registering authority
Important:
Requirements can change depending on the property and transaction.
Confirm the current checklist before your registration appointment.
- Check Your Payment Receipts & Financial Records
This is one of the simplest checkpoints—and one that buyers sometimes overlook.
Keep records of:
- Booking payment
- Agreement payment
- Instalments
- Taxes
- Registration payments
- Other charges
- Loan disbursements
- Receipts issued by the developer
Create one dedicated digital folder for your property.
Better yet:
Keep both digital and physical copies of important documents.
Years later, these records can become extremely valuable.
- What Should You Receive at Possession?
Getting the keys is exciting.
But possession should not be treated as just a key-handover ceremony.
Depending on the project and applicable requirements, your possession documentation may include:
- Possession letter
- Applicable Occupancy Certificate
- Registered property documents
- Payment receipts
- Maintenance-related documents
- Society/association-related information
- Parking documentation, where applicable
- Warranties
- Equipment manuals
- Other relevant project/property documents
Before accepting possession, verify that your apartment details are correct.
Check:
Tower → Floor → Apartment Number → Carpet Area → Parking → Buyer Name
- Create Your “Home Document Folder”
Once you purchase your home, create a dedicated folder containing every important record.
Your checklist can include:
☑️ Booking form ☑️ All payment receipts ☑️ Agreement for Sale ☑️ Registered documents ☑️ Stamp duty records ☑️ Registration records ☑️ Home-loan documents ☑️ Applicable approvals ☑️ Completion-related certificate ☑️ Occupancy Certificate ☑️ Possession letter ☑️ Parking documents ☑️ Maintenance documents ☑️ Society/association documents ☑️ Property tax records ☑️ Warranties and manuals ☑️ Important correspondence
Think of this folder as the paperwork history of your home.
Keep it safe.
Before You Sign: Ask These 10 Questions
If you're buying a home, don't hesitate to ask the developer or seller:
-
What is the RERA registration number?
-
What is the exact carpet area?
-
What is included in the total consideration?
-
What are the applicable additional charges?
-
What does the Agreement for Sale say about possession?
-
What approvals have been obtained?
-
What completion-related certification is applicable?
-
Has the applicable Occupancy Certificate been obtained?
-
What documents will I receive at possession?
-
Is there anything I should have reviewed before signing?
These questions may take a few minutes.
But they can help you make a much more informed purchase.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Documentation and requirements can vary depending on the property, project, authority, buyer profile and transaction. Always verify the current requirements with the relevant authority, developer, lender and/or a qualified professional before making a property purchase.
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