Things to Check Before Taking Possession of a Flat in Mumbai

Published On: 31 October 2026

Things to check before taking possession of a flat in Mumbai fall under four heads. These are your papers, your dues, the flat itself and the shared spaces. First, confirm the building's Occupancy Certificate (OC) and match your final carpet area with the agreement. Next, check the final demand letter, inspect every room for defects and confirm your parking slot. Finally, list every defect in writing before you sign the possession letter.

A few careful hours on handover day can save you months of follow-up later. This guide takes you through each check in order, along with your rights after possession.

Step 1: Verify the Occupancy Certificate First

The OC is the most important paper at possession. The BMC issues it once the building meets the approved plans and safety rules. Without an OC, your power and water lines, loan and resale can all run into trouble.

In Mumbai, you can check OC status on the BMC building proposal portal or the MahaRERA project page. Ask the developer for a copy and match the wing, floor and number of floors it covers. If the OC covers only part of the building, make sure your floor falls inside that part.

Step 2: Confirm the Final Carpet Area

Your agreement lists a carpet area, and the developer must confirm the final figure after the OC arrives. Under Clause 1(g) of the MahaRERA model agreement, the variation cap stands at 3%. If your flat is smaller within that limit, you get a refund in 45 days with interest.

Carry a laser measure or hire an engineer to check the room sizes against the floor plan. Carpet area means the usable floor inside your walls. It does not include the balcony, the terrace or the external wall thickness.

Step 3: Check the Final Demand Letter

The developer sends you a final bill before handover. Read every line and match it with the payment schedule in your registered agreement. If a charge is not in the agreement, ask for the reason in writing.

Most final bills in Mumbai include these items:

Last instalment: The final milestone of the flat cost, along with GST
Advance maintenance: Upkeep charges for the months set in your deal
Society fees: Share money and the cost to set up your housing society
Legal charges: The amount fixed in your sale agreement
Utility deposits: Fees for your power meter, water line and gas line

Pay through traceable bank channels only and keep every receipt. Ask for a "no dues" letter once you clear the final amount.

Step 4: Documents to Collect at Possession

Do not leave the site office without a complete file. These papers prove your ownership and help you with loans, resale and society matters later.

Document	Why You Need It
Possession letter	Records the date and condition of handover
Occupancy Certificate copy	Proves the building is legally fit to occupy
Registered Agreement for Sale	Your main proof of purchase
Final carpet area statement	Confirms the size you paid for
Payment receipts and no dues letter	Closes all money matters
Parking allotment letter	Fixes your slot number and type
Warranty cards and manuals	Covers lifts, fittings and appliances in your flat
Society membership papers	Links you to the co-operative housing society

Step 5: Inspect the Flat Room by Room

This is your snag check, and you should do it in daylight with plenty of time. Take a friend or a hired engineer, a notepad and your phone camera. Note each defect with a photo and its exact location.

Walls, floors and ceilings

Look for cracks, uneven plaster, damp patches and paint marks. Tap floor tiles gently with a coin, because a hollow sound points to poor fixing. Check that the floor slopes away from the main room in the bathrooms and the balcony.

Doors, windows and grills

Open and close every door and window several times. They should move smoothly and lock without force. Look at the window seals closely, because Mumbai's monsoon will find any gap.

Plumbing and waterproofing

Turn on every tap and shower and flush every toilet. Then fill the bathroom floor with a little water and check if it drains fully. Look under the sinks for leaks. If you can, also check the ceiling below your bathroom from downstairs.

Electrical fittings

Test every switch, socket and light point with a small tester or phone charger. Check the main board for proper labels and an earth leakage breaker. Make sure the AC points, geyser points and kitchen sockets match the agreed layout.

Step 6: Check the Common Areas and Services

Your flat sits inside a larger system, so check that too before you sign. Ride the lifts and check the lift licence display. Look at the fire fighting system, the staircase lighting and the water tank access.

Visit your parking slot and confirm that the number matches the allotment letter. Check the clubhouse, garden and play areas that the brochure promised. If any amenity is still under work, ask for a written completion date.

Step 7: Know Your Rights After Possession

Your builder's duty does not end on the day you get the keys. Under Section 14(3) of RERA, the developer must fix structural or workmanship defects you report within five years. The repair must happen within 30 days and at no cost to you.

You also carry a duty of your own. Section 19(10) of RERA asks you to take physical possession within two months of the OC. So plan your inspection early and raise your snag list fast. If the developer ignores valid complaints, you can file a case with MahaRERA.

Possession at Prestige Grove Park: What It Will Look Like

Prestige Grove Park in Borivali is a pre-launch township set to launch in March 2027. Prestige targets possession by December 2031 for its six towers and about 1,500 homes. You can follow each stage of the work on the Prestige Grove Park construction status page.

The payment plan already protects you at handover. The last 10% falls due only when the OC arrives and you get the keys. So your final payment links directly to the legal check that matters most.

A township of this size also adds a few checks to your list. Each tower will run six to seven high-speed lifts, so test the ones serving your floor. Three basement levels will hold about 1,450 parking bays and over 150 EV chargers. So confirm your slot and charger access. With nearly 35% open green space and a 0.7-acre clubhouse, ask for the amenity handover status in writing.

FAQs

1. What should I check before taking possession of a flat in Mumbai?

Check the OC, the final carpet area and the final bill first. Then inspect the walls, floors, plumbing, electricals, doors and windows. Confirm your parking slot and list every defect in writing before you sign.

2. Can I take possession of a flat without an OC in Mumbai?

You should not. Without an OC, you can face trouble with water and power connections, home loans and resale. Always ask for a copy of the OC that covers your floor.

3. How much can the carpet area vary under MahaRERA?

The MahaRERA model agreement sets a variation cap of 3%. If your flat is smaller within this limit, you get a refund in 45 days with interest.

4. How long must the builder fix defects in Maharashtra?

Under Section 14(3) of RERA, the builder must fix defects for five years after you move in. The developer must fix reported defects within 30 days at no cost.

5. How soon must I take possession after the OC?

Section 19(10) of RERA asks you to take possession within two months of the OC. Delay can make you liable for maintenance and other charges.

6. What documents should I collect at the time of possession?

Collect the possession letter, the OC, your agreement, the final carpet area note and all receipts. Also take the no dues letter, the parking letter and the warranty cards.