A project’s “possession date” is what the developer markets and writes into the sale agreement; the RERA completion date is the deadline the developer declared when registering the project; and the occupation certificate is the local authority’s permission to live in it. Buyers need all three — and they are often different dates.
Three dates, three sources
- Possession date (developer). Shown on the website and brochure, and — the one that counts — in the agreement for sale.
- RERA completion date (registration). When registering, the developer declares the time period within which it will complete the project (RERA Act, Section 4). State RERA websites show it, often with a “registration valid up to” date that can be extended.
- Occupation certificate (local authority). Confirms the building can be occupied. The developer is responsible for obtaining completion and occupancy certificates (Section 11).
Why they differ
Developers usually market a date earlier than the RERA deadline, keeping a buffer. Registration dates can also be extended, and large projects are registered in phases with different dates. In our own catalogue, one project’s developer page gave a 2028 completion while its registration ran to the end of 2031.
What to tell a buyer
- Quote the date from the developer, labelled as the developer’s promise.
- Give the RERA date too, as the outer limit, with the registration number and the date you checked it.
- Point them to the agreement for sale: under Section 18, if the developer fails to give possession as agreed, the buyer can ask for a refund with interest, or interest for each month of delay if they stay in the project.
- For ready-to-move homes, ask to see the occupation certificate before booking.
Common mistakes
- Calling a RERA date the “possession date” — it’s a regulatory deadline, not a promise of handover.
- Leaving the date blank when the developer hasn’t published one. Write “not published” and ask.
- Assuming every tower in a project shares one date. Check which phase the unit belongs to.
General information, not legal advice. State RERA rules and individual sale agreements apply.