Few tips to consider before buying a flat!

How many of us get lured by the glossy booklets provided by the developers and are contented with the exteriors and the location of a flat? Perhaps, are we even aware about the other important aspects of a flat which are not disclosed by the builder to us?

Buying a property in India is one of the most important decisions one makes. There are various instances wherein a buyer is many a times deceived by the builder and is not aware about the facts and figures of the flat at the time of buying. There are several problems which an investor faces based on the improper verification and diligence. Here are some tips which should be considered before buying a flat.

Ensure that it is a litigation free land:

Before you invest in a flat, you should make sure that you enquire about the litigation of the land. The land should be free from any legal problems and in case it has any legal issues, you might end up abandoning the flat for invalid reasons. Also the builder should have an approved plan and in case it is a ready to occupy flat/apartment, demand the completion certificate from the builder. And if the flat is under construction, ask for the commencement certificate from the builder.

Government permitted land:

The land on which the flat is constructed should have permission by the government for construction purposes. Based on the government records, the land should come under the category of the ‘build-able’ land. In case the land doesn’t have the permission, it will fall under illegal construction. A sanctioned building plan will be best to know the truth.

Property taxes:

It is very important that the property tax for the land is regularly paid to the corporation departments. The payment should be up-to-date and also the builder should provide you with a receipt of the latest tax payments.

The ownership of the flat:

The investor should ensure that the flat has the right ownership and has surpassed all the legal formalities. Ensure that the owner owns the building legally.

Flat pricing:

The second most important aspect of buying a flat is to check and compare the flat prices. Ensure that you are well aware about the current market prices and the rate offered to you should match the carpet area, built up area and the super built up area. In case you are not aware about the concepts, you can always ask the builder about it.

Stamp duty:

The stamp duty should be paid only on the purchase of the flat and the investor should enquire with the builder to reveal the hidden costs in the transaction process. The complete actual cost of the purchasing should be calculated by considering the stamp duty, registration and other charges.

Amenities:

The investor should make sure that he is well aware about the number of facilities provided in the flat. Also if there is a membership fee on any of the services, the investor should enquire and negotiate with the builder.

Appropriate walls and spaces:

In most cases, the investor is cheated in terms of the space and width and length of the wall. To avoid such mishaps, it is very important that the investor himself checks through the flat and compares it with the booklet along with appropriate measurements.

Few areas in which a builder cheats his buyer:

• The doors as told or mentioned in the booklet are not present in the flat. Also the bathroom and the kitchen are door less.
• The walls are thin and are not like how it is mentioned in the booklet.
• The glass partitions as mentioned in the brochure are absent or have glass walls all over the flat in order to make the room look bigger. Similarly, things like customised furniture, fixtures, spaces and gypsum walls are the places wherein a builder can cheat his customer.
• Henceforth, to avoid being cheated it is advisable to have a home inspection done before buying a flat.