Buying a flat from a builder
You check the project on TG RERA before paying, register a proper agreement for sale, and take possession and the sale deed after the occupancy certificate.
About this guidePending verification
Published on 12-11-2026. Not every fact has been checked against its official source yet: confirm at the office.
For whom: People in Telangana buying a flat from a builder (promoter) in an apartment project.
Answer the questions below first. Then the documents and steps open.
1Your situation
We show only what your answers need.
- Which of these are you?
Your answers stay on this phone.
Each step below says who it is for. Confirm yours at the office, then change your answer here.
We could not confirm whether this applies to you
The rules for foreign nationals are different. A foreign national living outside India may take property in India on a lease of up to five years, or inherit it from a person resident in India; any other purchase needs the Reserve Bank's (RBI) prior permission. One property may be bought jointly with an NRI or OCI spouse (if the marriage is registered and has lasted at least two years). A foreign national resident in India under FEMA (more than 182 days here in the previous financial year, with a visa that shows an intention to stay for an uncertain period) may buy. Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan, Macau, Hong Kong and North Korea (unless OCI cardholders) need the RBI's prior permission for anything other than a lease of up to five years. A citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan from a minority community there (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian) who lives in India on a Long Term Visa may buy one home to live in and one property for self-employment, on the conditions in rule 28 of the FEMA Non-debt Instruments Rules, 2019.
→ Before you pay anything, ask your bank (an authorised dealer in foreign exchange) and the Sub-Registrar office whether you may buy.
Sources: 10, 11
2Documents you need
Tick the ones you have. They are kept in this browser.
Details
If you don't have it: The builder gives it when you book. A model format is under "Forms Download" on the TG RERA website.
Sources: 6, 1, 12
Details
It must follow the model in the Annexure to the Telangana RERA rules.
If you don't have it: The builder prepares it; you and the builder sign it and have it registered.
Sources: 2, 1
Details
If you don't have it: The builder gets it from the authority that approved the building (the competent authority) and must make it available to you.
Sources: 1, 2
Nothing to get ready before these steps.
3Your steps
· Do them in order. Tick each one when it is done.
- Do this now
On the TG RERA website, search by the project's name, the builder's (promoter's) name or the RERA registration number, and check that the project is registered.
The project's advertisements and brochure must show its RERA registration number and TG RERA's website address.
Open the official pageSources: 7, 4, 1, 3, 5
- Do this now
Open the project's page and read: the approvals and the commencement certificate; the sanctioned building and layout plans and specifications; the number, type and carpet area of the flats; the completion date the builder declared; the land's title deeds and encumbrance details; and the builder's formats of the allotment letter and agreement for sale.
Open the official pageSources: 2, 5, 4
- Do this now
If a project on more than 500 square metres of land, or with more than 8 flats (all phases together), is being sold without RERA registration, tell TG RERA: call 040-29394973, send a WhatsApp message to 9000006301, or email rera-maud@telangana.gov.in.
Small projects (up to 500 sq m and up to 8 flats) need not be registered.
Sources: 1, 5, 8, 4
- Do this nowIf: Indian citizen living abroad (NRI) / Foreign national with an OCI card
If you live outside India: pay the builder only with money sent to India from abroad through a bank, or from your NRE, FCNR(B) or NRO account.
Traveller's cheques and foreign currency notes are not allowed. These FEMA rules are written for NRIs and OCI cardholders who live outside India; if you are an OCI cardholder living in India, ask your bank (an authorised dealer) which rules apply to you.
Sources: 10, 11
- Do this now
Take an allotment letter when you book.
Until the agreement for sale is written and registered, the builder may not take more than 10% of the flat's cost, booking amount included. Papers you sign before the agreement, such as the application or the allotment letter, do not cut down your rights under the agreement or the Act.
Sources: 1, 6, 2
- Do this now
Before you sign, compare the builder's agreement with the model in the Telangana RERA rules.
It must state the specifications, the payment dates, the date of possession, and the interest each side pays on default. That interest rate is State Bank of India's highest MCLR plus 2%.
Sources: 1, 2
- Do this now
You and the builder sign the agreement and have it registered at the Sub-Registrar office.
The property registration guide shows how registration works.
Not confirmed
The Ready Reckoner does not say which of the two kinds your agreement falls under, or how the "adjustable" duty is set off later against the sale deed; ask the Sub-Registrar office.
Sources: 1, 9
- Do this now
Pay the instalments on the dates in the agreement, and your share of the registration charges, municipal taxes, water, electricity and maintenance charges.
If you pay late, you too pay interest at the same rate (SBI highest MCLR + 2%).
Sources: 1, 2
- Do this now
Follow the work on the project's TG RERA page: the builder must update the flats booked, the approvals taken and the project's status every three months.
Open the official pageSources: 1, 3
- Do this now
Before you take possession, ask for the occupancy certificate.
The builder must get it from the competent authority and make it available to you; an authenticated copy is also to be on the project's TG RERA page. It is issued for a building with civic services such as water, sanitation and electricity.
Sources: 1, 2
- Do this now
After the occupancy certificate, the builder offers you possession in writing.
Take possession of the flat within two months of the certificate; if you do not, you pay the maintenance and other charges from the date of the notice.
Sources: 1, 2
- Do this now
Have the sale (conveyance) deed registered in your name.
The builder must execute it; where no local law sets a time, within three months of the occupancy certificate. The property registration guide shows how to register it.
Sources: 1, 2
- Do this now
Take part in forming the flat owners' association.
The builder must enable it; TG RERA says within three months of 51% of the flats being booked.
Sources: 1, 4
- Do this now
If you find a structural defect, or a defect in workmanship or quality, within five years of taking possession, tell the builder in writing.
The builder must put it right free of charge within 30 days.
Sources: 1, 2
If something goes wrong
If it is lateIf the builder does not hand over the flat by the date in the agreement, you can either withdraw from the project and ask for all you paid back, with interest and compensation, or stay in the project and get interest for every month of delay until possession.
If the builder does not hand over the flat by the date in the agreement, you can either withdraw from the project and ask for all you paid back, with interest and compensation, or stay in the project and get interest for every month of delay until possession. The rate is SBI's highest MCLR + 2%; a refund is to be paid within 90 days of falling due. If the builder does not pay, complain to TG RERA.
TG RERA complaints portal · Open the official page
Sources: 1, 2, 4
If it is rejectedThe builder may cancel your allotment only as the agreement for sale allows.
The builder may cancel your allotment only as the agreement for sale allows. If the cancellation is one-sided, without sufficient cause and against the agreement, you can approach TG RERA.
TG RERA complaints portal · Open the official page
Sources: 1
If you are asked for more moneyIf the builder takes more than 10% of the price without a registered agreement, you can complain to TG RERA online, or on paper in Form M or Form N.
If the builder takes more than 10% of the price without a registered agreement, you can complain to TG RERA online, or on paper in Form M or Form N.
TG RERA complaints portal · Open the official page
Sources: 1, 5
AlsoThe builder may not change the sanctioned plan, specifications or fittings of your flat without your consent (minor changes have their own rules).
The builder may not change the sanctioned plan, specifications or fittings of your flat without your consent (minor changes have their own rules). Changing the plans of the building or the common areas needs the written consent of at least two-thirds of the buyers. If this is not followed, complain to TG RERA.
TG RERA complaints portal · Open the official page
Sources: 1
AlsoIf the builder does not put right a defect you reported within 30 days, you are entitled to appropriate compensation.
If the builder does not put right a defect you reported within 30 days, you are entitled to appropriate compensation. Complain to TG RERA.
TG RERA complaints portal · Open the official page
Sources: 1, 2
AlsoFor questions, the TG RERA office: DTCP Building, Ground Floor, Masab Tank, Hyderabad; Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
For questions, the TG RERA office: DTCP Building, Ground Floor, Masab Tank, Hyderabad; Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
TG RERA office (phone 040-29394973, 040-29394974; WhatsApp 9000006301; email rera-maud@telangana.gov.in) · Open the official page
Sources: 8
Official websites for this work
- RERA (Telangana) Registered projects, complaints about a builder
Related guides
The 12 official pages and papers this guide is written from
- The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (No. 16 of 2016), Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part II, Section 1Ministry of Law and Justice (Legislative Department), Government of India; Gazette copy on the TG RERA website, Sections 2(zf) (occupancy certificate), 3 (registration; exemption for up to 500 sq m or up to 8 apartments), 11(1)–(5), 13, 14(2)–(3), 17(1), 18, 19(6), (7), (9), (10) (26-03-2016) · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Ms.No.202, 31.07.2017: Telangana State Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017Municipal Administration and Urban Development (M1) Department, Government of Telangana (on the TG RERA website), Rule 14(1) (details shown on the Authority's website), rule 15 (interest: SBI highest MCLR plus 2%), rule 16 (refund within 90 days), rule 38 (agreement for sale); Annexure: Agreement for Sale, clauses 7.2–7.3 (possession), 10 (conveyance), 12 (defect liability) (31-07-2017) · read on 30-10-2026
- Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (General) Regulations, 2023Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG RERA), Telangana Gazette Extraordinary, Regulation 6 (disclosures after registration: website updates every three months, sanctioned plans displayed, registration details in every advertisement) (24-09-2023) · read on 30-10-2026
- FAQs for TG RERA Website (07.07.2023)Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG RERA), Questions 3, 4, 5 (which projects must be registered; how a buyer checks), 8 (interest for delay), 14 and 25 (association of allottees) (07-07-2023) · read on 30-10-2026
- RERA ALERT (advertisement published in print media, English)Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Secretary, TG RERA), issued through the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Telangana, Part A, items 1 and 2; Part C, items 1 to 4 (buyers: check approvals and registration; examine the project on the website; report violations; complaints) · read on 30-10-2026
- Allotment Letter for Flat/Unit/Apartment (format)Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG RERA), Forms Download, Page 1: recitals 1 to 3; term A (booking amount) and term B (registered agreement for sale before paying 10% of the total cost, including the booking amount) (26-06-2024) · read on 30-10-2026
- Search Project Details (registered projects and agents)Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG RERA), Search fields: project name, promoter name, TG RERA project registration number, district, project type, survey number · read on 30-10-2026
- TG RERA website, home page (contact details in the page footer)Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG RERA), Footer: phone 040-29394973, 040-29394974; WhatsApp 9000006301; email rera-maud@telangana.gov.in; office timings Monday to Saturday 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM; Services: Register Complaint · read on 30-10-2026
- Ready Reckoner (Stamp, TD, RF)Registration and Stamps Department, Government of Telangana, Items 3 (Sale Agreement With Possession: stamp duty 5.50% adjustable, registration fee 0.5% minimum ₹1,000 maximum ₹50,000) and 4 (Sale Agreement Without Possession: stamp duty 0.50% not adjustable, same registration fee); chargeable value: market value or consideration, whichever is higher · read on 30-10-2026
- Master Direction – Acquisition or Transfer of Immovable Property under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FED Master Direction No. 12/2015-16, updated as on September 01, 2022)Reserve Bank of India (Foreign Exchange Department), Part II: para 1.1 (leases up to five years), 1.2 (section 6(5) of FEMA), 2.1–2.2 (NRI, OCI), 3.1.1 (purchase by an NRI or OCI), 3.3 (payment), 4 (spouse of an NRI or OCI), 5 (holders of a Long Term Visa), 9.1 (citizens of eleven countries), 10.4 (other transfers need the Reserve Bank's prior permission); Annex (press release of 1 February 2009: foreign nationals resident in India) (01-09-2022) · read on 30-10-2026
- Frequently Asked Questions: Purchase of Immovable Property (updated as on April 06, 2023), Part II: Purchase of immovable property in India by Non-Resident IndividualsReserve Bank of India, Part II, Q.1 (NRIs and OCIs), Q.2 (modes of payment), Q.4 (foreign nationals), Q.5 (holders of a Long Term Visa), Q.6 (spouse of an NRI or OCI) (06-04-2023) · read on 30-10-2026
- Forms DownloadTelangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG RERA), "Allotment Letter for FLAT-UNIT-APARTMENT" (and for a plot) · read on 01-11-2026