Property guides
The parts of an Indian property transaction that cost people money when they get them wrong — explained without jargon, and updated as rules change.
All guides
Stamp duty and registration charges in India: how they work
Stamp duty is a state tax on registering a property transfer, charged on the higher of the agreement value or the government circle / ready-reckoner rate. Headline rates run from roughly 4% to 8%, plus a registration charge of about 0.5% to 4%. Both are paid by the buyer, usually before the sale deed is registered, and most lenders exclude them from the loan amount.
6 min read
BuyingCarpet vs built-up vs super built-up area: what you actually get
Carpet area is the usable floor area within the walls of the flat. Built-up area adds internal walls and the balcony. Super built-up area additionally loads a proportionate share of common areas such as lobbies, staircases and clubhouses, so it is the largest of the three. Under RERA, residential sale agreements must state carpet area.
5 min read
Loans & moneyHome loan eligibility and documents: what lenders actually check
Lenders size a home loan against two ceilings: loan-to-value, typically 75%–90% of the property value depending on ticket size, and repayment capacity, usually capping EMI at roughly 40%–50% of net monthly income. Approval then depends on clean title, credit history and verifiable income documents.
6 min read
Legal & RERARERA: what to check before you book an under-construction flat
RERA requires most residential projects above the prescribed size to register with the state regulator, publish project details and approvals, keep a majority of buyer money in a project-specific escrow account, and disclose carpet area and committed possession dates. Verify the registration number on your state's RERA portal before paying anything.
5 min read
Plots & landBuying a plot in India: the due-diligence checklist
Plot purchases turn on documents, not decor: verify the title chain, an encumbrance certificate, the approved layout, land-use zoning and any agricultural-to-non-agricultural conversion, plus measurement in the local unit. Unlike a flat, there is no builder or society to absorb a defect for you.
6 min read
RentingRent agreements and security deposits: what tenants should check
Most Indian rent agreements are written for 11 months because leases of a year or more attract compulsory registration in many states. Deposits vary sharply by city — commonly one to three months' rent in the north and west, and often higher in Bengaluru. Get the agreement in writing, list the deposit and notice period explicitly, and record the property's condition at handover.
5 min read