A holiday villa is a significant purchase, and the excitement of the setting can make it easy to skip the paperwork. Don't. This checklist covers what to verify before paying anything substantial. It is general guidance only — always involve your own lawyer and financial adviser.
1. Land and title
- Ask for the title documents and the chain of ownership.
- Confirm the land use is permitted for the proposed development.
- Check for encumbrances, mortgages or disputes. Your lawyer can search the relevant records.
2. Approvals
- Request copies of the building plan approvals and any other permissions the project needs.
- Confirm the approved plans match what is being sold to you — the villa type, area and layout.
3. RERA registration
Real estate projects in India generally must be registered with the state Real Estate Regulatory Authority, subject to the thresholds and exemptions in the law. In Uttarakhand, that is the Uttarakhand RERA. Where registration applies, verify the project's registration number on the authority's official website and review the disclosures filed there.
4. The sale agreement
- Read the full draft agreement before paying a booking amount, if possible.
- Check how area is defined (carpet, built-up or plot area), the possession timeline, penalties for delay, and cancellation terms.
- Make sure every promise you were given verbally is written in the agreement.
5. Payment terms
- Ask for the full payment schedule and what each payment is linked to.
- Pay only to the developer's official bank account, and keep receipts for everything.
- Understand which taxes and charges are additional.
6. Construction status
- Visit the site and see the actual progress for yourself.
- Ask for dated site photographs between visits.
- Distinguish concept renders from photographs of completed work.
7. Management and rental arrangements
If the villa will be part of a rental programme, review that agreement just as carefully. See our guide to rental management agreements.
8. Claims about returns
Treat projected returns, "assured" rentals or buyback offers with caution unless they are clearly set out in a signed agreement — and even then, understand who stands behind them.
9. The developer
Look into the developer's background, other projects and how they communicate. Clear, prompt and written answers are a good sign.
We welcome these questions at CasaCabana. Request project documentation or arrange a site visit.