Behind the Judgement: Real Lessons for Buyers from MahaRERA Case CC006000000196361

₹1.8 Cr paid for an apartment in Mumbai. Possession received after 4 year delay. A buyer fought back — what did MahaRERA decide?

Timeline of the case

12 Jun, 2015
Agreement for Sale executed between the buyer and the builder for ₹1,80,25,000. Possession date agreed was 30 Jun, 2016.

30 Jun, 2016
Possession date arrives with construction work still incomplete and possession not in sight.

By 2016
Buyers paid ₹1,71,23,750 out of ₹1,80,25,000 (almost 95%); remaining 5% were payable on possession.

28 Jul, 2017
Builder registered the project with MahaRERA specifying 30 Jun, 2018 as the completion date.

30 Jun, 2018
MahaRERA completion date arrives with project still under construction.

29 Aug, 2018
1st Extension Certificate issued – new completion date: 31 Mar, 2019.

31 Dec, 2019
Fit-out possession offered to buyer from builder (not recognized as legal possession under RERA).

19 Mar, 2020
Builder received Part Occupation Certificate (OC) from MCGM.

19 May, 2020
Formal letter of possession issued to the buyer by the builder.

28 Aug, 2020
Buyers took physical possession of the flat under protest without amenities.

04 Sep, 2020
2nd Extension Certificate issued – new completion date: 31, Dec, 2021.

Mar 2021
Complaint filed by buyers under Section 18 of RERA for delayed possession.

09 Sep, 2021
3rd Extension Certificate issued – final extended date: 30 Jun, 2022.

29 Jul, 2024
Final arguments concluded; matter reserved for order.

09 Apr, 2025
MahaRERA delivered judgment awarding interest for delay from 01.07.2016 till 19.05.2020

Lessons

• The possession date in the registered agreement is legally binding. Don’t get misled by expected delivery dates in brochures or verbal commitments by sales people.
• Get it in writing. Ensure all promises — amenities, possession dates, specifications — are clearly included in the registered Agreement for Sale. Brochures and verbal assurances don’t hold up.
• Documentation matters. The buyers lost part of their claim because they didn’t upload the Agreement and submitted poor-quality brochures.
• Fit-out possession ≠ real possession. RERA recognizes possession only after OC and essential services are in place.
• You can claim delayed interest even after taking possession. Taking the keys doesn’t mean you’ve waived your rights.
• Delayed interest ≠ penalty. The buyers’ demand for ₹25L for amenities and ₹5L for mental agony was rejected. RERA sees delayed interest as fair compensation, not punishment.

View entire judgement for reference here