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What to check in a Builder Buyer Agreement before signing

A Builder Buyer Agreement is written to protect the builder first. The cheapest time to fix a clause is before you sign it. Here's a plain-English checklist of what to read carefully.

Most disputes we see trace back to a clause the buyer skimmed at signing. None of these mean "walk away" — they mean "know this, and ask the right question." Group your reading like this.

Money & entry — before you pay

  • Payment plan: is it tied to construction milestones, or to dates? Time-linked plans mean you pay even if work has barely moved.
  • Token / booking refund terms: what happens to your money if you exit early?
  • Hidden & future charges: watch open-ended "applicable charges", escalation, or costs "to be decided later" with no cap.

The agreement — before you sign

  • Possession date: is it a firm date or a "proposed" one with long grace periods and broad force-majeure wording?
  • Delay penalty: compare what the builder pays you for delay vs the interest you pay for a late instalment — is it lopsided?
  • Refund / cancellation: how much can the builder forfeit if you exit, vs what you get if they default?
  • Area & loading factor: can the "super built-up" definition shift the chargeable area after price is agreed?
  • Dispute / arbitration clause: whose forum, seated where? Watch wording that nudges you away from the forum that protects you.

The project — before you commit

  • RERA registration — important, but not a clean chit on its own.
  • OC / CC position and sanctioned plan & specifications.
  • Amenities promised vs written — does the brochure match the binding agreement?
  • Registry, future charges and any payment-trail / tax-notice risk.
"Standard" doesn't mean "balanced." A clause can be common across the market and still be one-sided for you. The point of a review is to know which standard clauses carry risk for your situation — before your signature is on them.

Send your agreement before you sign it

We read the BBA clause-by-clause and check the project documents — a plain-English summary before you commit a rupee.

See the Agreement Review desk

FAQs

Can I get my Builder Buyer Agreement reviewed before I pay or sign?

Yes — that is the ideal time. Share the agreement, allotment letter and payment plan, and it can be reviewed before you commit. A review before signing is far easier than untangling a clause afterwards.

Is RERA registration enough to make a project safe?

No. RERA registration is important but not a clean chit on its own. The agreement, payment plan, approvals, possession terms, refund clauses and the written promises still need review.

The sales team says a clause is 'standard' — is it fine?

Standard does not always mean balanced. A clause can be common and still be one-sided for the buyer. A review tells you which standard clauses carry risk for you specifically.

This guide is general and informational — not legal or tax advice, not a solicitation, and no substitute for professional advice on your facts. Outcomes depend on facts, documents, forum, limitation and applicable law.